Shift Your Perspective

Shift your perspective.

You can’t compromise the integrity of your character for fleshly pleasures. You are called as a leader of the kingdom of God. Resisting the devil, his tricks schemes and contempt is difficult and uncomfortable, but it is your duty. You are not outfitted for comfort but instead for battle. Suited in the full armor of God, you are a soldier. Your duty is to serve the lord your God, father, and friend wholeheartedly. You must wage war against the devil, your adversary.

                                                                                                Author: Antonio Ramano Manya Lightbourn

Photo by Ethan Sees on Pexels.com

Often, we want our lives to be easy and full of bliss and pleasure, evading uncomfortable situations or uncertain outcomes. Our focus tends to be self-centered and all about the desires we seek to reach. I handle these situations daily. It is getting a new part for my car. Or it involves traveling to a beautiful remote location to relax. There isn’t anything wrong with taking a vacation. Engaging in a hobby is also fine. Still, I had to ask myself a question. Do I spend more time thinking about ways to fill my time with instant gratification? Do I escape from reality more than I think about serving God? My answer is yes. Now, as a believer, I must stop and first repent of these distracting habits. I need to evaluate how I’m going to implement Godly change in my life.  Seeking the kingdom of God above all else.

The bible says in Matthew 6:33:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Break-down

So, what does this mean? This means that your definite goal or purpose in life is to serve God with everything you have. This includes your thoughts, your money, your gifts, your personal goals, and your dreams.

What does that look like in action.

Most mornings, I wake up, or my kids wake me up. The busyness of my day begins to consume me. I start making breakfast and getting school lunch ready while trying to get the kids clothes on. Then I find myself checking emails and catching up on social media, chores, and other responsibilities.  This to me is not putting the kingdom of God first, why? well because I chose to put chores and responsibilities before meeting with the father for the day.

The bible says in Luke 9:62

62 And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Call to Action

We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be distracted from the work of God. Our attention and focus should be first on getting to know Jesus and serving him fully. By doing this, we implement his purpose on this earth. Then, God promises to supply us with the things we need. I’ve learned that our needs are to advance the kingdom, not our fleshy desires. I deliberately set a specific time to get up early to put God first. I would intentionally spend time with God before the busyness of the day consumes me. Then this will allow me to look at my day from a different perspective. Instead of letting the day take control of me, I can prevent it from spiraling out of control. I avoid feeling stressed or helpless by having a kingdom outlook. This helps me serve God intentionally through my actions and interactions throughout the day.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I love you and I want to know you more and more every day. I don’t want to get consumed by chores or mindless scrolling on social media. I refuse to let anything distract me from really getting to know you. Instead, I want to be consumed with an unquenchable fire. I wish to know you deeply more than anything else. I understand that the things of this world are distractions. The more I’m distracted, the less time I spend with you, Lord. Your word says anyone who does not stay in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. So Heavenly Father give me the strength to be disciplined and intentional every day in Jesus mighty name I pray.

AMEN

Persevering through the struggle

Did you wake up this morning feeling tired, weak, unaccomplished, or unworthy? Like maybe you don’t have a purpose?

Well I’ve woken up like this many times plagued by these unwanted thoughts and feelings, today I’m going to give you some biblical truths that will arm you with the mind of Christ to demolish those negative thoughts and lies that the enemy has weighed you down with.

First let’s take a look at what the Bible says about who you are.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

This verse explains that your were chosen personally by God and that you are apart of a royal lineage (family) That you, your friends and family (your community)have been created for him who is perfect in love , grace and mercy, to display all the glorious parts of who he is. Well why would he do this you may ask ? Why am I so important? Well it’s because God created you because he loves you. He sent his son to die on the cross for you to pull you out of the dark places in your life and bring you into unity (light) with him.

The issues , troubles and responsibilities of this world make us tired , sad , weary , confused lost and heartbroken at times.
The way to get through these joy stealing feelings is to cling on to Gods faithful promises and speak them out loud into our lives to change our heart and minds with his truth.

Matthew 11 – 28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This verse speaks volumes to me, why because I have six children a wife and a job , whew !! Just typing it makes me tired. Trying to balance all those responsibilities plus develop my talents and follow my purpose is extremely tiring. So , this verse is telling me that although I have all these things that can load up on top of me and make me overwhelmed God will give me rest if I come to him and talk to him by taking the heavy parts off of me. Well you might ask how he is going to do that ? Is he going to come down from heaven and whisk me away ? No he is going to teach me how to deal with these things the way he would and from there I don’t have to figure it out all on my own.

A yoke was used to bind oxen together to draw the plow – emphasis on (Bind) when Christ died on the cross for us he released us from bondage (sin/The law) and gave us life ( freedom) from slavery.

Galatians 5:1
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

So you see God has many promises to remind us of who we are , and if we focus on those things instead the feelings that wear us down we can find hope and encouragement.

Prayer –
Dear Heavenly Father , when things get tough remind me of who you say am I am , remind me that you are there for me and will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for sending your son to die for me so that I can be free and draw closer to you , thank you for this fresh perspective on life in the night , morning and throughout my day I pray and receive these things in the precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ son of the living God.

Amen.