When you look at yourself what do you see? What is it about what you see in the mirror that makes you happy? Is it the curve of your nose or the way God has finely crafted your eyes. Are you happy with the hair that he gave you or the smile he has purposely created upon you. I think if we take time to be encouraged by the special and unique way God has crafted all of us we can just smile. We can come to understand that there is no one on the face of this earth that is exactly like you(me). I am unique.
I believe many people are unhappy with who they are in life. If you look at T.V or magazines you see millions of people around the world who suffer from…”I don’t like how God has made for me” syndrome. I have a big nose. My eyebrows are too thick. My lips are too big. My butt is too small. I’m too Fat. I’m so skinny. The celebrities who grace the cover of magazines and movies purposefully change how God has created to fit the “image” for the media. For a job. For the job that you work at, say it was Mcdonald’s or a YMCA would you get plastic surgery for that? If that is what you call conforming to leadership by changing your appearance what is the reason for the building of charachter? All of these arrogant perceptions places us in a category of hating ourselves for the way we are born and coveting an image that was not designed for us. You were designed in love, every last one of us even animals and plants as well. He(God) has made each person according to purpose and position and every thing has something that makes it special. Some people are born to be football players: bulky and braun. Some are born scientists: inquisitive and loners. King David states, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalms 139:14)
Looks does not gurantee that you will get the job you always wanted. Looks does not guarantee that you will find the right husband/wife. Looks does not mean everything in your life will be joyful and easy to walk through. We have, as a world, come so far from the principles of success that it is a shame. For example: Do you think a church is succesful in pleasing God by allowing homosexuals to marry and to preach from his pulpits. If his judgement (Romans 1:18 – 2:16) was architected before every church ever began and yet it is not matched by his instruction. That kinda dwindles the authority our churches may have standing against the gates of hell? Are we all reading the same version? It’s like teaching on how to avoid giving the devil a legal hold with an advertisement of playboy magazines in the auditorium. Not only will we have an unbalance in following instructions but, how can we teach someone who questions in thier spirit as well what was written in the bible we use. How can we teach someone to keep a clear conscience when we as a body have so many elements that are subject to conviction? God told the Israelites before the Exodus “eat all of the lamb” and that lamb is Christ. So, if we eat all of his words and not try to be slick being selective I think that God would be more pleased with our obedience than comprimisation. It is about the feeding the sheep, and if we as a body purify the body by edification how clean are we if we intentionally miss a spot. All I know is the devil can quote scriptures too. (Matthew 4)
Did you know that there are third world countires who are happy to have refreshing water to drink. There are certain cultures in the world that still have to boil their water over a fire for bathwater for their child. There are tons of economic hardships that have suffered for decades and some are eager for a chance of freedom as America. Compared to america, who is coined as the most powerful country in the world. However, economy success and certain aspects of liberation by man can still be evil in accordance to the standard of God. Are we not judged by Jesus? An Image if you look on Flickr is a still shot of life and history however, they are not a continual testimony of where you are spiritually and where you are going eternally.
Did you know that when Jesus resurrected from death that he still bore the same scars as he had before he died? Yet he was a man of eternal life who conquered Death and Hades. In Isaiah 53, it comments that he was not something we should desire. Not a comely form, at all. That the Apostle Paul, being both a powerful speaker and revelator, was a short man who did not have much hair on his head. His hands and body were mightily scarred. Once bitten by a snake and his back bore scars from 39 lashes he received five times. That the early Christians that suffered persuction were brutally beat and tortured. The martyrs of Christ had no care for how they looked they had one goal in their lives “I want to be with Jesus.” Where are we as a Christian society? Jesus, I want to be with you if you allow me to make a mockery of your word. Lord, I want you to give me what I need if you allow all my time to be all about myself. God, I want you to remove all my enemies and allow me to love only those who love me. Oh, precious people does the integrity of success depend on the level of your own personal intrepretation of holiness. You can’t look holy on the outside and be hellish on the inside. That makes you an angel of light, the man of sin that will be “revealed.” You have to be holy on the inside till it permeates your thoughts and being and manifests in life.
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What was the travel like back in the day? A majority of the distances that people traveled they traveled by foot, donkey, camel, or horse. There wasn’t a gas station every 2 miles. If they traveled by animal they had to feed and water it. The places they went to according to the animal they traveled upon had to have the correct resources to replenish it. The climate that they were in also affected the outcome of the distance as well. So a camel back in the past would be compared to a hybrid for us now. So even if you had a date or family. It’s not like it was plush seating with a visor mirror to make sure your make up was good. There were not heated seats and a defroster in case it was foggy in some areas. It was the back of a animal. There shoes were not Air max 920’s with memory foam insoles. They wore scandals. They didn’t have Rocawear or Sean john. Levi’s or south pole jeans. The greatest prophet born of a woman wore camel’s skin and ate locusts (John the Baptist.) A decent meal for us would include: meat, vegetable, bread, desert, and drink. These people did according to what they had. However, they were content in what they were given to perform that in which they needed to do. No matter how they looked. Where am I going with this? We have so many helpers in life by technolgy that can be an excuse for lack of determination. We have so many people that have churches that are glamoured in technology and events, yet the people rarely read the bible. They rarely pray at home. They don’t carry the spirit of life from the pastor into their living room. It’s just entertainment. Did Peter have the audio version of the Old testament in three different languages? Did James get “camel knees” praying on plush carpeting and sitting on newly furnished pews? Did John the Baptist pray in a secret closet? He came out of the wilderness and became a havoc on the throne of darkness. We should not have mindsets that God justs gives double portions of manna like every tommorow is a day of rest. We only dwindle down the true thirst for God and righteousness that preparred the New Testament. They didn’t have a word from the Lord for almost 400 years.
So what image REALLY matters?
Looking like you have money – But being in debt!
Having a lot in your possession but, not a lot paid for?
Spending so much on your look – Yet, you’re a bitter and depressed person?
Wasting your gift of love, purity, and commitment with someone that is not your wife/husband.
Having a need for all the ammenities of comfortability or a thirst for the source?
Would you rather prefer an affirmation of your outer beauty or a respect for the inner person?
This leads to a statement God tries to prove to us:
What really counts the most is who you are. You were born a child of God, therefore, your character must represent that of which you were born. The only person in the world that we really need to please is God and meeting the requirements of Jesus. Everything else is just backwash. If you had an image of a superstar you have to fear of becoming a fad like all superstars. Yet, when you reach to please God, there is never a fear of fad because his perfect love casts out all fear. Truly
Where is the world in their respect for God (Galatians 5:19-21.)
Can you honor the Lord with:
Sexual Immorality – Sex outside or before marriage physically and mentally (Adultery by the eyes)
Impurity – a defiled heart, sinful thoughts
Depravity – Corrupted state of being
Idolatry – Any place, person, or object you believe in that’s not God
Sorcery – use of magic or demons; manipulation, control, seduction
Hostilities – opposition or resistance to an idea, plan, project, etc. Acts of warfare
Strife – a quarrel, struggle, or clash: Competition or rivalry
Jealousy – resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage; suspicion
Outburst of Anger – Impatience, Pinned up Frustration, Passivity, Arrogance, Pride
Selfish rivalries – Competition; Pride
Dissensions – strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord
Factions – Conflict within an organization or nation; internal ; minority within larger group
Envying – a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions, etc.
Murder – To kill someone
Drunkenness – intoxicated; drunk
Carousing – to drink deeply and frequently.
These things keep us from stability in our lives and a peaceful heart. Which is, the Lord Jesus Christ operating through us daily. Every time we give way to something from the list above. It is like we are throwing blankets, quilts, paint, and dust all over the brightness of his (Jesus) being inside of our hearts. Life in the spirit cannot come out of you and do signs and wonders through you, if you don’t do the work to let him out of you. As Paul says “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). What does this mean? When you die to your life you ressurect the strength to be committed to the will of God.
Every day in the ancient cities of Greece that we read about in history. Was the same like it was today with the many pressures of life to distract you from God. The Apostle Paul, a sent vessel of the Lord, had to deal with the issues and predicaments just like we do: Prostitutes, pimps, psychics, ignorance, prideful people, politicians, crooks, and just plain ol’ Satan. Do you think he became an Apostle fitting in with everyone else? Do you think he became a New Testament Apostle being bitter at the people like the Old Testament prophets, being now filled with the Holy spirit. Paul was able to live his life for God with power from the holy spirit and grace enough to demonstrate it to ignorant people with unconditional love. See, now there is a difference image of God through his son the Christ.
So what you go through in life daily is nothing new under the sun predicaments weren’t specifically invented for you. It’s a cycle that all of God’s people (Whether salvation has come upon you already or in it’s timing) must go through to overcome. Yet a world that presses against you from every side is not defeated by your natural anger, physical stregnth, intimidation, or money. It’s subjected by peace, endurance, and love of Christ through you. This is the Jesus who conquered this world with his love. Therefore, it is no way we can become who we are called to be in God without taking off our costume to fit in with the world. The living world without God is death.
What is evidence in your life that Jesus operates through you in this dark world?
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
To further break it down to apply it to our lives.
Love – Knowledge and Application of God in our self, people, and environments.
Joy – a state of happiness or felicity.; Seeing the Lord moving and working in your life
Peace – a state of tranquility or serenity; Confidence and trust in God
Kindness – the state or quality of being kind; Exhorting mercy, compassion and God’s love
Goodness – the state or quality of being good; Being who Jesus was
Faithfulness – true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc
Gentleness – not severe, rough, or violent; mild
Patience – an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
Self Control – control or restraint of oneself or one’s actions, feelings, etc
—When you begin to apply the grace and knowledge of Jesus in your life. You become as he was, a vessel of life and love to give. The fruit of the Spirit which encompasses you and becomes who you are reorders your life to an overcomer, and not defeated by daily battles. What people will start to see from you is not a form that is fashioned by clothes, cars, or makeup. They see a person with the state of love that comes from the spirit. They see a person with the true heart for people and a love for the most important person in life, God.
(c) 2008 Realisticimaginations.com
by Bro. R. Williams
inquiry@realisticimaginations.com
http://www.realisticimaginations.com
