<--- I found this picture online, it made me think of decision making and understanding the importance of being discerning. Realizing how a decision can impact not only yourself, but those around you. Their can be many distractions and many different options to choose from, but its important to stay on the right route. Yea, I'm weird, but thats what I thought of when I saw this picture! =)As part of my daily devotional time with the Lord I go through a devotional magazine called "TableTalk". Last month the theme was "The Self-centered life". This month the theme is "The God-Centered Life." Its really amazing to compare and contrast those two different life styles. It's so easy to be so focused on the here and now. Being consumed with everything from: school, a job, family, a husband or wife, kids, who you're going to marry, friends, bills, your image, entertainment....etc!
In light of eternity how much of our time are we using for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom? We as His children are called to be set apart. Yet, how set apart is the flock of God? But really the real question is how set apart are YOU from the world? It can be very easy to compare ourselves to other believers. "Well I'm better than most, look at tommy over there, I'm not that bad. And Sally, oh boy, I'm definitely not as bad as she is." If that's your mindset I plead with you to really repent and seek the Lord on this matter. We aren't to compare ourselves to other "fallen" human beings. We are to compare ourselves to Christ and Christ alone... Christ is the bar!!! Be living a life set apart from those in this world. You can't live with one foot in and the other foot out. Don't be deceived by living a life that you think is pleasing to God, but in reality you're only pleasing yourself. The fact that you claim to believe in God, isn't enough to save you...even the demons believe. (James 2:14-19)
The scariest words in the Bible (in my opinion) are found in Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Don't be deceived.....You cannot be lukewarm. You can't profess Christ on Sunday than live for Satan/or yourself the rest of the week.
Revelation 3:15-16
May our consciences convict us when we get a self-absorbred mindset. May we realize when our eyeballs are focused inward. This short life here on earth is about denial of self. Some find it difficult to spend time in God's word because they don't have time...In a single day we have 24 hours. Ok so you spend 8 hours sleeping....what do you do with the other 16 hours of your day? We make time for things we like to do...the problem isn't not enough time, but rather, what's taking priority over spending time in the word of God?
A little self-examination I would encourage you to do....chart out your day today. What are you filling your time with? Are they things that bring the Lord pleasure or are they things that bring yourself pleasure? This was a very disturbing exercise for me because I saw how self-absorbed I am. But it was also a very rewarding exercise. By God's grace I was able to examine my heart, and prioritize different areas of my life. Though I am FAR from perfect....I continually pray that the Lord take away anything that hinders my walk with Him. It can be so easy to get so caught up with things that have no eternal value...The Christian walk is not easy....it's only the grace of God that carries me through! =)
I have a quote by Charles Spurgeon framed in my room to remind me not to ever think to highly of myself. I am humbled to my pride every time I read it.....
“ [Anna-Leah Moore], if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be still nearer the truth.”
Grace and Peace,
Anna-Leah<><
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