James 1: 22-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, his is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror:  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

One of my favorite quotes is by Dick Nogleberg, “If what you believe doesn’t affect how you live, then it isn’t very important.”  That is so true!  If knowing God doesn’t change who you are and how you behave, then something is terribly wrong in your relationship with Him.

Somehow, somewhere along the lines, our Freedom in Christ became twisted from what the true meaning is.  Freedom in Christ doesn’t license you to sin or live any way you choose!  Freedom in Christ means you are free from the bondage of sin!  You are no longer a slave to sin, you can have freedom from your sin.  God wants to empower you to break those addictions!  He wants to help you overcome those areas you struggle in!  He doesn’t want you to be burdened by it, He wants you to experience His true freedom!  Jesus didn’t come to remove the Law, He died because there isn’t a person on earth who can keep it so He gave His life so we can have life in Him and we can become more like Him because He gives us His Spirit when we accept Him as our Savior.  That should drive us to love Him more and give us the motivation to live for Him!

It doesn’t make you “cool” to act like the world.  Why would you want your words to line up with the world instead of someone who is filled with the spirit of God?  Why would you want to take offense to everything that is said or done around you like the rest of the world, so you look as foolish as they do?  Why would you rather fit in with people who don’t know Jesus, instead of wanting to reflect who He is so others are drawn to Him?  Strive to be like Him, to be a light in this darkness!

Now, I know most of you don’t want those things!  You are wanting to live a life that reflects God, that is why you are seeking Him out by studying His word!  We have the choice every single day, whom we will choose to reflect: satan or God.  Whom will you choose?  We are all human and we face things every single day that forces us to choose!  Satan is battling to take you down!  He hates you and the last thing he wants to see is God’s blessing on your life! One of the biggest areas he is trying to fight Christians on is their Faith and Trust, that God is still God and He sees and He is working, even if you can’t see it!  If satan can take your trust that God will vindicate you, that He does see and care, and He has a plan for your life and He is working it out, then he has a foot in the door ~ don’t believe his lies!!  God loves you and wants you to have victory in every area of your life!  

I would like to encourage you today to make this verse your prayer:  Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”  Choose Him today!  Choose to allow Him to fill you and your thoughts!  Allow Him to be your strength and to guide you in all that you do!  Truly, His best is yet to come!

Quote:  “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.”  ~ James Allen, As A Man Thinketh