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Thursday, January
17, 2008
Out of This World
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace
from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, (4) Who gave himself
for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father: (KJV)
The word deliver in verse 4 means to
rescue; and being that we live in a fallen world we are constantly
surrounded by its influences and cheap imitations of what we think will
bring peace and fulfillment to our lives. Where you look and what realm you
look to, will be the determining factor of where you will spend your
eternity. So will you continue looking to this world for the answer or will
you seek those things which are above, to find an eternal one? It is the
Lord’s will that none should perish but that all would come to repentance.
So now the question is, are you willing to continue in this plan of
salvation or have you been sidetracked with the cares of this life? What
would you think if you saw one of your own children drowning and when you
threw them the life preserver they ignored it and perished? Basically that
is what mankind has done to their heavenly Father; they ignore His plan of
salvation and His spiritual life preserver that was sent to us, and they
end up over their head drowning in destruction and despair. So how are you
doing today? Are you keeping the ship afloat and heading in the right
direction, or have you gone off the deep end and going under?
1 Timothy 6:6-9 But godliness with
contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let
us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition. (KJV)
Have you forgotten how you arrived in
this realm wearing nothing but a smile? All those things you have been
fussing and fighting over, not a one of them are going with you when it is
time to depart this realm either. Have you learned to be content with the
fact that today you have food and raiment? If not, just try going a day
without them and see how overlooked and taken for granted some of these
simple things we have are discounted as nothing. The food and raiment is
not just limited to the physical either; have you taken the time to seek
your spiritual meat as well as being dressed in the full armor of God so
that you can quench all the fiery darts the wicked one will fire your
direction? Stop and ask yourself this honest question, are the things that
I am so concerned with today, the priorities I have established in my life,
really leading me to a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father? Or is
it something in this realm that may actually be drawing me away from Him;
something that I am getting so wrapped up in and has nothing to do with my
eternal life?
Matthew 16:25-26 For whosoever will save
his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall
find it. (26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(KJV)
You have been blessed with all spiritual
blessings in the heavenly realm in Christ and yet do you hang onto the
things in this world thinking it will fulfill and bring peace and joy? Can
you even imagine for a moment what it will be like to stand before our
Father some day and see all that was available in His kingdom only to find
out that you missed out on it because you decided to hang onto the things
of this life? Can you name one thing that is really worth hanging onto in
this world that would keep you from inheriting your eternal reward? It’s
only those that are willing to let go of their own life and desires that
will find a new life in Christ and be able to inherit His eternal reward;
those that were willing to look above and beyond what this world would ever
have to offer. So can you honestly say that the will of God, His desire for
you and your desire to serve Him are one in the same? Or are you still
hanging onto something in this world that is choking the life from you
slowly but surely? Is it worth exchanging your soul, which translates to
eternal separation from God? A question that is not only being asked today,
but one that will be asked again someday when we stand before Him and give
an account of how we walked in His plan of salvation; was it truly a walk,
or just a lot of talk.
Ephesians 3:19-21 And to know the love of
Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the
fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
(21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end. Amen. (KJV)
You wonder why your life seems stagnant
and unfulfilled at times, it’s simple, you keep looking to stagnant and
unfulfilling things to bring you joy. Right now, this moment, there is a
God who is able to do above and beyond what you could have ever thought or
imagined; but how would you ever know this or experience this unless your
priority is with the spiritual things which are above and beyond anything
you will experience in this realm. When you pray and seek God and His
answer, are you truly expecting the best, are you experiencing the love of
Christ which goes way beyond our knowledge and limited carnal thinking? Do
you know God hears you and do you expect nothing short of victory in your
life? Or are you still settling for the leftovers of this world and
whatever they are willing to hand out? God has never failed His people and
never will. So why are so many still hesitant to seek His counsel and
deliverance from this present evil world; hanging onto the anchor instead
of the life preserver? Are you yoked together with Christ today, letting
Him handle the burdens, or have you unhooked yourself having decided you
can handle things by yourself? Then you wonder why you are so worn out and
frustrated.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV)
Do you desire better results? Do you seek
a more confident prayer life? Then start looking above and don’t limit
yourself to this realm if you truly wish to have our Father’s results which
are above and beyond anything we could ever ask for or think of. We as
humans had been limited to this carnal realm and could only operate
according to what our outward vision and senses would dictate. But now in
Christ we are able to see the things of God and operate in a truly higher
dimension; one that will bring joy, peace and an eternal victory to those
of us that look to the Lord for His answer.
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on
the earth. (KJV)
In order to be risen with Christ it means
you have let go of your life and its desires, and to have chosen a new life
in Him. We are in this world, but we don’t have to be in agreement with it
or limit ourselves to what this world has to offer and its cheap
imitations. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. So if you
wish to experience something that is out of this world, then start looking
beyond this realm so that the Lord can open the windows of heaven and pour
out for you a blessing above and beyond what you could have ever thought or
asked for.
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