Conformity

Romans 12:2- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God's will, his good pleasing and perfect will.

Definition from the World English Dictionary of Conformity:  Compliance in actions, behaviour, etc, with certain accepted standards or norms.

To sum it all up: going with the flow. Conformity to the world should be the enemy of the Christian life. It often times is not though. some Christians walk around holding the hand of the world, unwilling to let go to follow Christ with their all. We would not have the mindset that we can hold both the Lord's hand and the worlds. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do so. In Matthew 6:24 is says, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." So what this is saying is this, "Christians" Who are holding the worlds hands, they hate and despise Christ. These are some of the Christians that Matthew talks about in Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to me on that day "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers."  

We MUST transform our minds to the likeness of Christ, or bear the consequences of Eternity in Hell. We must put down our conformity to the world and mold ourselves to God's perfect and pleasing will. 

How are we to just lay down our old self and pick up a new one? I doesn't sound easy. Well, here's a quick news flash, It is not going to be easy. The Christian life was never said to be easy. If you heard that it was, you were lied to. In fact the Bible says, "for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) 

So what must we do to find this gate? The answer is this, "Be transformed by renewing your mind." Renewing your mind is to start over with your whole mindset, lifestyle and ethics. Again! Not going to be easy. 

Mindset: To do this we must not fill our minds with music that is not praising to the Lord. This also applies to movies and books. (I could go on and on on this subject, but I'll save this topic for another blog entry). These things are a must! If these things fill your mind and life, then God cannot. 

Lifestyle: We have to start living by the ten commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17) We have to start censoring our mouths, by not saying anything negative, or using swear words, especially not using God's name as a cuss word. This is important because the Bible says that on the day of judgement we will be called into account for every idle word that we have spoken. Also, people will not take you seriously if you constantly have dirty jokes and bad words oozing from your mouth.  

Ethics: We need to change our ethics about the way we live. We cannot be lazy in Christ! We have to work hard to bring people to God's kingdom and to do the things of God's will. (This is not a suggestion! Mark 16:15, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all of Creation.) Also we must strive for excellence in every aspect of our lives. Our grades, work, words, even going to church on time. The Bible says on this, "If you eat or drink or do anything at all, do it for the Glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Teens, Adults, Kids, we HAVE TO WAKE UP! These are the end days, and how many of us want the Lord to come back and find us sleeping? That is a scary thought. We need to be seeking the Lord with all of our being. We should be studying the Bible and listening intently for the Lord to speak to us. Don't conform any longer! Live for Christ. 

~Whatsoever things are true 

Philippians 4:8 

 

Thank You God

Hebrews 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

It is that time of year again! Thanksgiving week! It's one of my favorite times of year, and it's one of many, MANY people's favorite time of year. I went and asked a couple of people what they thought of when I said the words Thanksgiving Day and these people came up with several different replies.

- Food
- Turkey
- Football
- No school/work
- Family
- Black Friday

I love all of these things. This holiday is very appealing to me because it's placed perfectly in the year, it is a time of family, a time to lay back and do nothing and a time to fill our bellies.

This is also probably one of God's favorite times of the year. This is the day were we get the privilege to praise our Maker all day for the things that he does for us, and is doing. Unfortunately, our society has strayed away from that aspect of the day and formed it to just be the things that are listed above. They want to take the day of Thanksgiving and turn it into a day of Selfish Getting. The Lord has been all but forgotten on the day that was meant for him.

I know that two years ago on Thanksgiving day, it was almost 12:00 am, and all of the sudden I remembered that I had not said one word of thanksgiving to my Lord. I prayed quickly so that I could get in a couple of words to him before it was the next day. I thought it was funny that night, but the next day as I thought about it, I became repulsed with myself that I had forgotten completely until the day was almost over to even thank my Creator who gives me life, and who blesses me daily. I didn't even give him some of my time during that day because I was so focused on pleasing myself.

I had decided from then on that I was never going to allow that to happen again. I decided that instead of forming the day for myself, I was going to give of myself to the Lord and thank him for everything that was done for me that day. Every time I filled my plate, I would thank him. Every time I was blessed with my family's company I would thank my Lord. I gave of myself to him that next time by spending more time with him than normal, even if it meant getting up at 4 in the morning to do so.

It is very tough to find time to do things like that when family and friends are away. That is why it is so important to ready your mind the week of Thanksgiving by giving him thanks for everything that is done. This week try to remember to thank him for everything he is doing for you. For every meal,  For every conversation, for every breath. Jesus gave his life on the cross for us, so this should be a piece of cake challenge. I'm starting today (the first day of the week) and I will continue through Thanksgiving. Pray that in this week that you will please the Lord, and that this week will continue throughout your year. That you will grow more thankful to the Lord for everything, even the bad things. Don't let this Thanksgiving day be once every year. Make it a every day thing. The Lord will pour blessings into your life when you focus on praising him. So let's thank our Creator.We have so much to be thankful for. Praise the Lord!!

1 Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

~Philippians 4:8
Whatsoever things are true

ALL for God's Glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31- The answer is, if you eat or drink, or do anything at all, do it all for the glory of God.

Human nature. It starts from the day of your birth and tempts you until the day you die. One of the many things that EVERYONE wants, is to be seen by people, and to put their best forward and for people to see and praise them for it. We all want it, and we all do it from time to time. We want for people to know that we gave $1,000 dollars to charity, or that we give up our every weekend to help old people. Now, don't get me wrong here, it is not a sin for people to know what you have done and are doing for the Lord. Not at all! Sometimes that is one of the ways that the Lord will bless you! But what is wrong, is to flaunt what you have done for the Lord. To boast in yourselves. You can flaunt yourself in different ways.

-You can boast loudly, using your words to build your image up in front of people.
-You can boast silently, doing good things out in front of a lot of people so that you can be seen by all.

Both of these types are not pleasing to the Lord. He will refuse to bless you if you do either. The Lord can see your heart clearer than you can yourself. He knows the reasons you do good things. He knows if it is for self-image and to be seen, or if it is to proclaim God humbly in your heart. He can see our hearts clearly.

Did you know, that you can do good things for God everyday without flaunting yourself in front of people.


1 Corinthians 10:31
The answer is, if you eat or drink, or do anything at all, do it all for the Glory of God.

If you do your every day things always thinking about doing your best for the Lord, that is one great way to practice being diligent in your work for the Lord silently. Nobody knows that the reason you are such a great dancer is because you do your best for the Lord almighty! Nobody knows that the reason your desk is so clean is because you keep it that way for the Lord. Nobody knows that you make your bed every day because you want to be diligent in keeping orderly what you have been given by God. These seem like small things, but in reality, they train you to be humble, diligent, enduring, and all of these things silently. That is what the Lord wants. He wants you to do these things, because he want's to bless you.

So next time you feel like boasting yourself in front of everyone, just remember that you are God's kid, and he is SO proud of you, he will boast to the angles about you! You don't need to be recognized by the earth, you need to be recognized by your father in heaven.

By, Whatsoever things are true
(Philippians 4:8)

New Creation

(2 Corinthians 5:17) therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.

We have all done things in our life that we regret doing. Maybe it was a stolen car, or a relationship that went too far, or something nobody knows about but you. Whatever it is, it may haunt you in someway for a long time. Through guilt, or memories, or through a person who will never let you forget. Maybe you are worried that you will never live it down.

Well, there is hope. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if you are in Christ, then you are made brand new! the old you is gone and forgiven, and you are free to start fresh.
The Bible says in Psalm 103:12, As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

The Lord will forget our past sins? Is it really so easy? It is easy, but there are steps to the process. In Romans 10:9 it says, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
That is the first step to being IN Christ Jesus. Then after that we can have a personal relationship with him, as long as we continue to keep the Lord in a high respect, and try hard to follow God's commandments. We all mess up! So when we fall, that's were God's forgiveness comes in. And the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 5:17. We are a new creation to God when we repent to the Lord. That is good news! So, keep on living for God and enjoy your freedom in Christ!

By, Whatsoever Things are True
(Philippians 4:8)

Enemies in God's perspective

But I say to you, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

How are we suppose to live out this Bible verse? Maybe Jesus didn't understand how mean this person is to you. Or maybe this verse doesn't apply to your situation.
This is not true in any way. Jesus had many enemies in the Bible, but he loved them all. He was compassionate to the people that tried to kill him. He even forgave the whole worlds sins as he was being tortured on the cross. He prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) Jesus forgave and even Loved his enemies constantly. There are so many examples!
The Lord talks about forgiveness constantly in his word.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."


Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

There is so much to say on the subject of forgiveness. And I know it will be hard to forgive! But pray daily for the Lord to help you to love the person you are holding offenses over. When you don't forgive someone, you are only hurting yourself and the Lord. You are not hurting the other person, because they don't even care if you forgive them or not. Just remember that the Lord died for EVERYONE'S mistakes, not just yours. Please the Lord and forgive those who don't deserve forgiveness, because you were once like them.