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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, its 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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