Do not Conform!

With the court's recently decision on gay marriage, Christians now more that ever are feeling the pressure to conform to the world's way of living.  As a Christian I'm feeling a bit confused about where and how to move forward from here?  First thing we have to remember is not to panic. No matter what's going on in the world, God is still in control. When all is said and done, it's God's will be done.  

Even though we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, as it says in Ephesians 2:10, we are very much free agents.  We have freewill to live as we wish and should not be prosecuted for our life choices.  And that's still the message from God for us today, we should look not to be prosecutors of sinners.  The goal isn't to make people feel bad about the decisions they are making, but to encourage them to want to live right for God and include Him in their decision making process. 

Here is a great opportunity as Christians to ensure that God is being rightly represented in a sinful world.   What still should be our main focus is to lift God up, so He can draw all men unto Him, like stated in John 12:32.  Now is the time to make sure that we are spiritually walking closely with Jesus. We need to ensure that we are living by the word of God and that we are studying the bible to show ourselves approved by God as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15.  We need to be sure that we are consistently praying and engaging in daily devotionals.  Even now we must not abandon creating and engaging in opportunities to fellowship. It is very important that we position ourselves to show the world that God is worthy of our sacrifice, praise and in His will is the best way to live our lives.  We need to remember that like in, Matthew 5:16 letting our light shine before others, so they see us living for God's approval, will give God the glory. 

We must be imitators of God and walk in love.  Just as Jesus loves us, gave himself up for us, we must give up ourselves spiritually to be the example of righteous living for the world, as stated in Ephesians 5:1-33.  While we need to exercise tolerance to respect people's right to freewill, we must not become accepting that sin is now right in the eyes of God.  God still needs us to share the word with & minister to an unsaved and dying world, but we need to first be right with God ourselves before we can be used by Him to show the way to the lost.

The key to not conforming to the world's views:

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word dwell in you richly, to teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Be honest with yourself, be sure your living and speaking is truly purposed for sharing a loving God with the unsaved and you're planting a seed that will hopefully save the life.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for those in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

(Look for opportunities to do good, to be a servant and show those who don't know, who God is.) 

Identity Crisis: Who Are You?

We see today that people are more and more wrestling with who they are or who they were born as. My message for those of us today is to remember that you are God's creation. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Philippians 4:6-8 tells us that we don't have to be anxious about anything, but if we are faced with any struggles to pray and God will provide the right path to get out of that stressful situation. 

And when you pray, give thanks for who God is, thank Him for being in your life, pray that He give you wisdom to live right for Him, pray for guidance and direction, pray to be in a right relationship with him and remember to do this often.  Always consider what is right in God's eyes and you will naturally seek out what is right. Also do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15 . We need to not only be hearers of the word, but doers also, for the word to truly be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.

I want to clearly state that this message is for those who are striving for a closer and upright relationship & walk with God and still find themselves struggling with their identity. I want to encourage you to remember that God created you in His image. God wants us to live like Jesus did, to be an example to those who are also in the family of faith, so they can see God in you and the way you live and model their life after the way you have modeled yours. As Proverbs 27:17 says, Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.  

We are created to seek God daily, encourage, teach, minister, pray with, pray for one another, lead one another to the path of righteousness and to keep each other on the straight and narrow. We have to be consumed with the things of God or we will naturally seek out and be consumed by fleshly things, in which you will never find fulfillment. If we keep our minds stayed on the Lord we will have perfect peace according to Isaiah 26:3. Remember that you were created to be God's light to shine in a world filled with darkness. To comfort those who are suffering. Being someone's strength will give us the strength and courage to be and live in God's truth. 

As we received a gift, we must use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. If we speak with the knowledge and grace of God, we will more likely serve others by the strength that God supplies. Keep in mind that everything we do should be for God's glorification. 

Prayer of the day: Psalm 19:14 ESV / Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.