How can we know sunrise if we have not experienced midnight? In my life currently I am experiencing such a time, a time that has slowly begun to set in, overwhelming me to the point where sleep becomes more difficult. But in this time I have never felt closer to God nor more alive and excited for what is ahead, sure it's difficult but it's a step closer to where God wants me to be. Sometimes we think being a christian is hard we have so much on our plates, it's not fair that people who are not doing good have an easier life. A life devoted to God is not for the faint of heart, we as christians are not weak because we have HE who is strong within us, We are called to serve, love, and disciple...
"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible." - 1 Corinthians 9:19
I have tried living life for myself, indulging in desires, making my own way, taking life into my own hands, doing what I want, being who I want, and saying what I want. Me, me, me, I, I, I... It was all about me. I listened to the world and what it told me to do to make myself happy. I defied my parents, the voice within me telling me it's wrong, and wisdom from my elders. Like a woman clinging to an abusive husband, I clung to the world. Expecting love from where there is none...expecting fulfillment from one that couldn't care less...desperately holding on to nothing.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world the love of The Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15
What does a life wholly devoted to God look like?
"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
"But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." -Thessalonians 5:4-8
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the LORD. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. " - Ephesians 5:8-17
What is being set apart look like? If our difference should be as night and day, how should we be different?
PURE: Spiritually, Physically, and Mentally
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. -Psalm 119:9
JOYFUL: In all times
Be Joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
LOVING: Unconditionally
"And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31
HOPEFUL: Unwavering
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31
TRUTHFUL: No matter the consequences
"Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another."
- Ephesians 4: 25
"Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name." - Psalm 86: 11
FAITHFUL: To the very end
He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. - Luke 16: 10
I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly. - Psalm 40: 10
Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one] .- 2 Thessalonians 3: 3
| I Love My Master, I will not go free <3 |
If you are feeling weary of trying to stand firm in the midst of the chaos in this world for the LORD, go to HIM who is our strength!
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:26
Be BOLD! Be COURAGEOUS! Be IMMOVABLE!
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:7-9
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." - 1 Corinthians 15:58
