(Photograph: Lake Cargelligo N.S.W Australia.)
Let God’s Glory Shine.
Arise, shine; For your light has
come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
God will develop your character, before he promotes you to
work for Him. He can't use someone unstable in their ways; well, He can,
because He's God, but He is less likely to use unstable people.
You need the 9-character traits: love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These traits
are spoken of in Galatians 5:22
They are commonly known as; True Christian Trait
Characteristics. If you can't work with God on this, it's unlikely God will
call you to a deeper level. You want that deeper level. It’s essential to have
that deeper level, if you wish to see mountains move in your sphere of
influence.
It's not that He can't use you. He uses broken people all
the time, it's just that He wants to see His character displayed through you,
and if you work with Him, He will develop you towards that end. When we call
ourselves Christians and if we're not displaying His character, we're letting
not so much God down, as the people around us down.
We need to be loving, patient, kind, gentle,
self-controlled, etc. Many people in the world call Christians hypocrites, as many
Christians don't show these Godly characteristics. Our job is to advance the
kingdom, not be seen as hypocrites and we need to be doing our best to ensure
this is what’s happening; to ensure this is what we’re showing to the world
around us.
People see what you do. In fact, people are always watching
what you do, particularly if you’re calling yourself a Christian. They’re
watching to see if you are a hypocrite or not. You need to be displaying “good
fruit” all the time.
Is it easy? No. Do we fail? Yes, of course we do at times,
for we’re all imperfect. When we fail, our job then is to quickly repent, ask
forgiveness and to do better next time.
Don't think you can't change. Ask yourself how you can
change. Better still; ask God how you can change. We can all change, but it
takes effort. It takes bringing every emotion and thought into captivity and
not letting our thoughts, or emotions run away with us.
The bible says to take every thought captive. 2 Corinthians
10:5 states; “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ.” What does the bible mean by taking every thought captive?
It means not allowing those thoughts of alcohol, pornography,
anger, rage, gluttony, gambolling and any number of other means the devil can
use, as a foothold into your mind. It means taking control of your mind, taking
control of your particular sin. Not dwelling on the sin, but casting out any
thought that might lead you further in to sin.
Stop that thought, as soon as it enters your mind. The
sooner you cast out the sin thought, the less you’re likely to act on that
thought. For we sin in our mind first. That’s why the bible says in Matthew
5:28 “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus said that because He
knows; the thought comes first, then the action. Get rid of the thought and the
action won’t follow.
Hebrews 12:1 says; …let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which so easily ensnares us… In other words; take your mind off the sin
which easily ensnares you and turn it to what God would like to see you do in
this moment.
You see, the devil will never tempt me with alcohol and he
knows it. Sugar; that’s an easier temptation for me and the devil knows that too.
Sugar for me, is the sin which easily ensnares. It’s something I’ve used in the
past and now that I’ve overcome my addiction, I still need to be mindful that I
don’t fall again. Does it mean I have to cut out every ounce of sugar? No, I
can be mindful, but it took a lot of work on my part to get to this point.
For some though, that answer is yes, cut out every ounce. If
you unleash the beast, so to speak; if your sin is sugar and whenever you have
it, you can’t stop and if it’s affecting your health or happiness, then yes,
cut out every ounce of sugar. It may not be sugar. It may be cigarettes,
alcohol, drugs, pornography. If you find you can’t control it, cut it out and
don’t take it up again. Be determined.
I’ve heard it said it only takes 30 days to form a habit.
Can you cut out the sin which easily ensnares you, for just 30 days? What if
you cut it out for today only, and then tomorrow and then the day after? Go as
far as you can and when you give in to temptation, start again straight away
and try for another day. Eventually you’ll find strategies that work and you’ll
notice you can go longer and longer, until eventually you don’t need that
addiction any more.
Addiction is usually a need which has come about through
pain, or trauma. As God heals the different areas in your life, you’ll find
you’re not in pain any more and you’ll find it easier and easier to do what’s
right and healthy in your life.
Once the addiction leaves you, you can then help others who
are still stuck in their addictions. We’re put on this earth, not for our own
gain, but to help others in any way we can. At this time of life in the world
today, it seems to be ‘anything goes,’ as long as it makes you happy, but
that’s not what Jesus says. Doing what makes you happy, doesn’t always mean doing
what’s good for you. You need to know what Jesus says, so you can overcome the
difficulties in your life.
What does Jesus say? Jesus tells us to follow Him, to do as
He does and what does He do? He heals the sick, makes the lame walk and casts
out demons. He’s given us the tools, through His word. He’s given us the
authority through His death on the cross and now it’s up to us. Shine your light
in all its glory. Show God and His glory to all the world. That’s why you’re
here. That’s your purpose in life.
Alexandra Grose –
An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is
her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her
written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.
#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all
things.
I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say
and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and
organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.
If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an
excuse.
Books:
Photographs:
http://www.instagram.com/alex_photographer_author
Blog:
https://alexandragrose.blogspot.com/?m=1
©2023
This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she
asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her
beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove
it.
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