Sunflower Faith

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

There is a huge stack of books beside my nightstand and as I go through them, pondering what to read, I realized how much my hunger for words has changed. I mean really changed.

As I’ve submitted myself to God and really allow and let Him to live in and through me, some of the things that I’ve noticed is no longer a desire or need for things of the world, and more focus and thoughts on knowing God and what He called for our lives to be.

With that…I found I lost interest in really watching a lot of t.v. shows, movies and even secular books. I ponder this last night and wondering about how I went from living here and there to just wanting to live for God’s word and discover that the more I submit in service to Him and live according to His word, the less I really wanted to do with the secular world.This doesn’t mean we stop interacting with the world at large, but the way we do interact with the world does change.

I find myself thinking less of what will so and so think about me , or what the world wants or needs and more and more of, What would God think of me? What does God want or need of me as a mother, wife, as a follower of Christ.

There are awesome side effects to this.

I find there is a strong hunger and need to keep knowing God’s word and never being able to cease to be enthralled in His word, I find myself gladly accepting the challenges that is presented to me, because I know without question that God is and will see us through anything no matter what.

By trusting God and following His Word…I give Praise to Him for constantly challenging me through trials and tribulations, I praise Him for opening doors of opportunity and convicting me of how I feel, think and what I think I need and want.

It’s hard not to find reason to praise God even in the bad days, because the reality is though we may not feel like we can be there for God, He is always going to be there for us; There is no fear when we allow God to live in and through us, and there is no room in God’s world for fear.

“This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT

I find myself in constant awe and wonder when God shows me what He can do when I just allow Him to live in me and through me without fear.

We serve an awesome God who wants to get to know you personally. If you haven’t had a chance or if you want to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I pray that you will call out to Him and invite Him into your life…

It’s great how He does have ways of keeping things in perspective and helping us realize what is really more important in life and what is just distractions.

Thoughts for Today from Stepping into Freedom by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min.

It’s so easy to become molded to the world’s thinking. Television programs subtly–and more and more often not so subtly–dishonor God. They present sinful behavior and lifestyles as normal–over and over again through the months and the years. Without realizing it, we can gradually begin accepting the sinful behavior as “normal.”

Other influences–friends, employers, books, movies, etc.–can shape our thinking as well. One real danger has been introduced in the form of books and movies that claim to be Christian and use “Christian-ese” words, but in fact teach things that are totally unscriptural. Usually good teaching is mixed in with the deceptive teaching, drawing many Christians into accepting the whole. Jesus warned us to be careful–that even the elect could be deceived. Mark 13:21-23

Consider this…
How can we avoid being drawn into the pull of the world’s influences? By letting God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. We will continue to change our mind, will, intellect and emotions as we obey God’s Word. He transforms our minds as we pray, study his Word and make godly choices.

We need to measure every influence in the light of God’s Word–and reject those that don’t line up. Quit watching the television program. Don’t read the book. Choose what is right over what is easy or popular. Be willing to take a stand.

Prayer…
Lord, open my eyes to the wrong influences in my life. Transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. Give me a deeper understanding of your Word and help me live in obedience to your will, making right choices even when they are difficult ones. In Jesus’ name…