Beholding as in a Glass

2 Corinthians 3:18  "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Once we trust Christ by faith God begins to do a work on us.  He begins to conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He has to teach us to walk by faith, to trust, to obey and to yield ourselves to Him.  There is a pruning process involved as God prunes away everything that isn't honoring or glorifying to the Lord.  The things that are glorifying to God are left to grow and flourish.  We should be mirrors for the glory of God.  When people examine our lives they should see the reflected glory of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit works daily to make us into what He desires us to be.  How is your mirror today?  Is it clearly reflecting the glory of the Lord or is reflecting too much of self and self-will?

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Matthew 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we're not careful it is very easy to get our priorities all mixed up.  We can spend so much time worrying about our next meal, about the clothes that we want to wear that we omit fulfilling our purpose in this life.  We get our attention on everything but the very purpose that God has given us in life.  We need to understand that God know us.  He knows the needs that we have as His children.  He will take care of all of our daily needs if we simply trust him.  We are to put the kingdom of God first and let God take care of everything else in our life.  How are your priorities today?  Is God first?

Our Heritage

Isaiah 54:17  "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
Just like an earthly father has a desire to keep his children safe, our Heavenly Father is always looking our for our best interests.  His power is unlimited to work on our behalf.  Even though our enemies rise against us we don't have to be afraid.  We have a God that can cause their weapons to fail when they wield them against us.  Those that would slander, gossip or accuse us God will condemn.  This is our heritage as servants and children of the Lord.  Any righteousness that we have is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ being placed on our account through His atoning work.  Thank God today that He cares for you!

Walk Upon God's High Places

Habakkuk 3:19  "The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. "

God has a perfect purpose for your life.  His desire is that you would rise to your fullest potential in His strength.  You've been perfectly prepared for the task that God has for you.  He has placed you in the midst of trials and tribulation to strengthen you for the task ahead.  He has placed you under the proper teaching and preaching of His Word to prepare you.  He is waiting for you to step out by faith and begin the journey.  He is the ultimate source of your strength.  He will make your feet like hinds' feet.  He will give your steps the power, the speed, the grace of the hind if you allow Him to guide you.  He will make you to walk upon the high places of victory as you follow Him.  Give Him control of your life and let Him lead you to your perfect purpose!

God Loves You, He Really Does!

Romans 8:28  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Our God is a sovereign God.  He has control over everything that comes into the life of the believer.  He has a perfect purpose for everything that happens to us.  The blessings that come into our life serve the purpose of creating within us a thankful heart.  The trials that come into our life are used to instruct, correct and lead us into the path and purpose that God has for us.  The Bible teaches us that in our weakness God's strength is made perfect.  God will allow us to come to the end of our self in order that we might realize our total reliance upon Him.  Are there any trials or burdens in your life today?  Remember that God has purpose for them.  Pray that God will reveal His reason for permitting the trial.

A Jealous God

Exodus 20:3  "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Mankind does a wonderful job of creating gods for themselves.  You could go to the remotest village in the farthest part of the jungle and you would find that the villagers there would be worshiping something.  Man will invariably create something to worship.  There is within man a desire to worship something.  Man usually doesn't have far to look when creating a false god to worship.  More often than not man will create a god in his image.  We are very adept as sitting ourselves up as the god of our life.  Making sure that everything we do fulfills our selfish needs.  We want the world to revolve around our wants, needs and concerns.  We get more interested in what we want than what God wants.  God made it abundantly clear to the Israelites when He gave His law to Moses.  God declared that man is to have no other Gods than He.  He is the real God.  He is the one that is altogether worthy of our honor and reverence.  How are you doing today?  Who's really in charge of your life, you or God?

A Time to Every Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

If we live a hundred years upon this earth it will seem, but a fleeting moment.  Time races past and we're old far too quickly.  Our lives are broken down into seasons and times.  The Bible teaches that there is a purpose for every one of these seasons and times.  God has different lessons for us along the way from the cradle to the grave.  As we walk with Him we have the wonderful opportunity to learn from Him.  We learn from the the Living Word of God.  We learn from the experiences that God allows us to pass through.  Have you ever noticed that you can read the same passage of Scripture at different times and it speaks to you differently each time.  The Word of God is truly alive.  It meets the need that we have at the moment that we read its pages.  Are you enjoying the seasons and times of your life?  Walk with God, learn of Him and be blessed!