quote to think about...

"Your perspective of yourself will determine the possibilities you pursue." ~Mike Evans

Here are a few of my thoughts on the quote:
Do you see yourself the way God sees you? Do I see myself the way God sees me? What possibilities would we pursue if we did?

What are your thoughts on this quote?

Belonging to Another...

There is so much I want to share with you, on this new topic, that I’ve decided to be merciful to you and start a series instead of posting the whole thing at once. So, let’s dive in…

“Do you not know, brethren- for I am speaking to men who are acquainted with the Law- that legal claims have power over a person only for as long as he is alive? For [instance] a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is loosed and discharged from the law concerning her husband. Accordingly, she will be held an adulteress if she unites herself to another man while her husband lives. But if her husband dies, the marriage law no longer is binding on her [she is free from that law]; and if she unites herself to another man, she is not an adulteress.
Likewise, my brethren, you have undergone death as to the Law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another, to Him Who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death. But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life].” ~Romans 7:1-6

I like that comparison. It says it so clearly.

We belong to someone else! Because of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and the fact that we died with Him, we belong to Another- Jesus Christ.

When we died through Jesus Christ, we died to the law and we no longer have to act like our bodies tell us to or whatever our natural desires are…we are no longer in bondage to those desires, as if we have no control to keep ourselves from doing things we shouldn’t, and that part of us maybe doesn’t even want to do. We used to even produce death in our lives through these actions and attitudes. However, now, we don’t have to obey our own natural desires, but we can live obeying God. We can live by the Holy Spirit telling us what to do in newness of life. We’re not trapped in an old life; we have new life through Jesus Christ! We can bear fruit for God! =)

So, think about it. How does knowing that you don’t belong to what you used to be bound to change the way you think? How does knowing you belong to Another- Who really loves you- change the way you think?
You know something? When you change the way you think with what the Bible says, called renewing your mind, it affects how you act… and it affects all of your life. Change the way you think, the place where you make decisions, to fit with what God says about you and how He sees you, and you’ll find you act differently. So, instead of trying to force yourself to “fix” things in your life, start on the inside and let the change flow naturally out of you, as God works in your life.

Are you being followed?

Here’s another thought that goes along with the previous post. Check out this verse:

“Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” Psalm 23:6

In the world we live in, there can be a lot of danger. Have you ever felt like someone was following you with harmful intentions? I don’t know about you, but I have. Really there wasn’t anyone there who wanted to harm me.

But think about this, “…goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life…” That sounds good to me! I have goodness following me! There is mercy following me! There is unfailing love following me!

Have you ever had a friend who said, “I’ve got your back.” That’s encouraging. It helps relieve some pressure from the situation. You know that you’re not alone, right? Well, goodness, mercy, and unfailing love have my back. How cool is that!

When we’re living for Jesus Christ, we can know that He has our back. Look at this:

“Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 (Amplified)

There is a comfort in knowing that GOD has your back. Also, goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are following you. As you go through your week, think about that. You are being followed, but it’s a very good thing!

Enemies?

I was thinking about this the other day. Take a look at this verse:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5

Many people have this Psalm memorized, but have you thought about this? “…in the presence of my enemies.” Well, I don’t know of any people who are my enemies. I don’t about you. For the guy who wrote this Psalm, there were real enemies who were seeking his life. For me, well who or what are my enemies?

So, I started thinking about this. My enemies are invisible to my natural eyes. My enemies are things like fear, doubt, and deception. Your enemies may be different.

“You prepare a table before me…” So, in the midst of these enemies, God has prepared a table for me- even in the presence of fear, doubt, and deception.

What are you enemies? Do you see the banquet that God has prepared for you, even in the presence of your enemies? He’s spread the table before you.

It kind of changes your perspective when you see God’s provision spread out before you.
Sure the enemies may still be there, but the focus doesn’t have to be on them. It’s like, “Come on, there’s a banquet in front of me! Everything I need is right there!”

I’m completely provided for. The answers to my questions are there on the table. The weapons I need to fight those enemies are on the table. The nourishment that I need is there. The peace I need is there. On and on it goes…

What do you need? Look at the table that God has spread before you in the midst of your enemies. Step up and enjoy. Through Jesus Christ we are victorious!