Live clean, innocent lives

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:15b-16

When people hear that I've never been drunk or used drugs, often their mouths fall open and they stare at me, speechless. "I didn't know that was possible in today's world," they say. By God's grace, my teenager sees this kind of lifestyle and it influences him to live a clean life.

Paul encourages us to be shining lights for a world of crooked and perverse people. If those words were true a mere thirty years after Christ's ascension, how much more accurate are they today? Crooked and perverse people surround us.

The way you live sets you apart. The seeds you plant by living free of the entrapments of the world have power and faith that many people will witness. Your spouse. Your children. Other children. Co-workers. People you might never know. You get one life and one race for God. Don't run it in vain.

How do you live your life? Are you innocent as a child? Are you engaged in worldly pursuits?
Father, when we're faced with temptation to live as the world does, remind us to live clean and innocent. Please show us how our lives affect others and how they see you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Overhaul of the Mind

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

An amazing transformation of our hearts and minds takes place when we draw close to God in prayer.  Setting our minds on things above refers to heavenly priorities rather than earthly priorities.  Really a huge change in our thinking and daily practices but the promise of God is that those who choose to set their minds on His priorities will be changed.  By spiritual design the old nature begins to fall away and the new God-focused nature is put on.    We have a choice in this transformation.  The choice we face is whether to believe and live by the promises of God or not.      

Ephesians chapter 1 says we are blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm” and that the eyes of our heart can be “flooded with light” so that we KNOW and UNDERSTAND the “immeasurable power of God” in and for those who believe.  It is this power which raised Christ from the dead that works in us!!  We are made alive and given a new nature by the power of God; we can hope and rely on God completing this work when we focus our minds on His priorities and ways.    

The Bible is an amazing book and by reading it doorways to the mind and heart are opened.  A new way of seeing, believing and living is presented to us that can increase our hope in God and his plan.  Scripture points out human behavior before and after meeting Christ.   It helps us understand the difference between the old way of life and the new.   In Philippians 4 of the New Testament, there is a section that addresses how to engage in the “battle” of the old nature through our thoughts.  It says, "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence or worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Changing the focus of our minds hinges on where we allow our minds to dwell and what thoughts we allow to take root in the mind.  Philippians chapter 4 stresses to us that the most beneficial resting place for the mind is in faith and prayer.  "Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God."  Let's look for any piece of thanks we can give to God and add that to our prayers.  Developing a thankful attitude can really change the way we see the everyday circumstances that we face. 

One of the most exciting versions of the Bible is the Amplified version.  If you have the opportunity this weekend, go to the link below and read Ephesians 1 and Philippians 4 in the Amplified Bible version.  It will knock your socks off!! 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Father, we thank you for the spiritual blessings of knowing you and being in Christ.  There is no other who can save and redeem us so we rely on you and your promises to us.  Transform us as we draw closer to you.  Put in us a desire to be the spiritual-minded people you want us to be.  We love you. 

Blessings,

Carol

 

The Vine and the Branches

One way the Bible describes Jesus is as the vine that feeds and sustains His followers with a life that is inaccessible except in relationship with Him. “I am the vine, you are the branches” gives a beautiful pictorial of Jesus as nourisher for all those who seek their spiritual life in Him. Jesus points us to a relationship with Him that is intimate and dependent, filled with passion and life.

Prayer is a dialog with Jesus that nourishes our soul and empowers us to live with Him. Anyone who earnestly wants to know Jesus can develop a relationship with Him. Anyone who honestly asks Jesus to be with them in life will not be disappointed because He will honor your request. He will meet you when you pray and will answer you as you seek Him with a heart that desires a new way and a new life.

Meeting with Jesus in prayer regularly will bring about changes in you that are new and exciting, like wanting to spend time in prayer talking with Him. You will want to go to Jesus with decisions to be made. His guidance is wise and accurate. You will want to give up habits that are not in keeping with His nature. He will give you the strength and courage to meet these challenges. Jesus can guide you through all the circumstances of life with insights that are not your own. This is called living a spirit-filled life of faith and is one of the great wonders of life in Him.

Please feel free to let us know if you have questions about how to ask Jesus to become part of your life.

Blessings,
Carol