Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
It is easier to conform to the ways of the world than it is to stand up for Christ in this world. Do you agree with this statement and if so, why? I have witnessed time and time again a person in church praising and worshiping for the congregation to see and then as soon as they leave, they cut you off in the parking lot or refuse to let you out. Huh? We just left God's house of worship. The truth is it happens everywhere. Do you profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior at work or is it unknown? Do you shy away from conversations of "religion" for fear of rejection or hostility? Do you manage your money where the Lord comes first in the way of your tithes and offerings or does He come last after all the essential bills are paid? People consume more and more these days in the way of stuff that they rely on it as much as they rely on air. They begin to believe they need the latest phone and/or gadget rather than keep what they have, save the difference in cash and donate that to the less fortunate. But we get caught up in the commercialism which is technology and automobiles and bigger houses and we forget the One who supplied it all. God is first and foremost. He is the center of it all. So then why is He the first we defy and deny when the world lays some pressure on us? Because we care more about fitting in at the job because if we lose our job, we risk losing our stuff. When I left my job almost three years ago, some applauded me while others mocked me and called me "irresponsible, irrational, emotional, crazy"...why? Because I realized I was denying my Father in heaven who bestowed me with all my blessings and decided to lay down the stuff and follow Christ instead? Did it cost us? Of course it did but what did we give up? A luxury car, expensive steak dinners thrice a week, shopping excursions so I can obtain more stuff? Does that sound like life or death? Did I give up my air supply? No, I gave up everything that caused me to conform to this world and not stand up for God. I stopped going to church because of my work schedule, I stopped acting and walking in God's promise and began to grumble and complain and I lost my peace of hope. I was not happy because I was no longer walking in His will. My little light faded out and no longer shined because I became part of the world. The bold girl that was on fire for God was another number. But the Lord loved me too much to leave me like that and He called me and I answered His call. So praise God in the highest I am living in His perfect will and for the first time in my entire adult life, I know I am exactly where He wants me to be. He is using me in a mighty way and I cannot wait to see where He takes me next. The bible tells us 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19. We must remember although we live in this world, we are not of it. We must stand up for Christ and all that is righteous, no matter what the cost. Today and tomorrow and the next day and the next day until He calls us home. Amen?Amen!
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