A New Chapter (Part 2): Directed In Purpose
Photo Courtesy of Erwin Doorn
ON target
We all live with a certain expectation for how things should go in life. Whether it’s on a big-picture level, or day-to-day outlook, there’s some target we’re always working towards. Often times, this mental picture looks incredibly simple, and yet, the process of “getting there” can be frustratingly difficult.
God has a picture for your life as well. His picture is infinitely better but often difficult. But the irony is, it’s still easier than what you’re trying to accomplish on your own. Because when you’re surrendered to God’s Will—
His Spirit does the heavy lifting.
You’ve probably heard it said that, “the only person who can hold you back is yourself”. And there’s certainly a lot of truth to that. That’s what makes the attribute of self-control such a powerful one. Of the 9 fruits of the Spirit listed in the book of Galatians, self-control is essentially a superpower. And if that seems overstated, just look at the root definition of the word.
In Greek, this word for self-control is defined as “the attribute of one who masters his desires or passions”. Do you know a single person who has complete control over their emotions? Neither do I. Because self-control isn’t found within our self, but in God’s Spirit alone.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT) says:
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Experiencing frustration is inevitable, but living frustrated is a choice. Operating in your own strength is a choice to live in bondage to frustration. Choosing to walk in His Spirit is the choice of freedom. The question is—
what will you choose today?
The bridge between
There’s a great divide that exists between the person you are & the person God’s called you to be. It’s the type of divide that requires a bridge. “Discipline is the bridge between who you are & who you want to become” (Craig Groeschel). As Christ-followers, the term “discipline” happens to go by another name—Jesus Christ.
Jesus is our bridge between.
In fact, we see Jesus spell that out in Luke 9:23 (NLT):
“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
We’re called to the highest level of discipline possible. The discipline of abandoning ourselves in pursuit of Jesus. It begins with the day you put your faith in Him & become saved. Followed by every day after, where you live by faith in Him & become renewed.
God didn’t give us the “idea” of self-control to be grasped philosophically. He gave us the power of self-control to be embraced practically. As we touch on a few practical ways to tap into this power, it’s my prayer that you allow God to direct you into your next step of faith.
First things first
Just as your alarm clock goes off at a scheduled time, your brain also sounds an alarm of its’ own. At the start of each day, our mind often brings a tidal wave of thoughts. And so begins the battle for what’s best.
Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 6:31, 33 (ESV) when He said:
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat…or drink…or wear?’
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Your mind operates like a high-pressure salesman. Selling you what’s urgent over what’s most important. That’s why Jesus tells us to elevate our focus on things above (not things below). He knows that if “everything’s a priority, nothing really is.” Which is why He reassures us that when we put God first, all these other things in life will be put in their proper place.
Start your day with God & don’t complicate it. This is about developing a relationship, not devoting yourself to a religion. Spend a few minutes renewing your mind with TRUTH from the Bible. Turn on some worship music. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Do whatever you have to do.
Just keep god first.
Keep a clean house
When you accept Jesus as your savior, His Spirit takes permanent residence inside of you. Our bodies become “the temple (home) for His Holy Spirit”. In Matthew 6:22-23 (MSG) it says that “your eyes are windows into your body”. It goes on to say that we have a choice to allow our eyes to bring in light or be closed off in darkness. By our own choices or otherwise—
our windows can become fogged.
That’s why we have to be mindful of what we allow in. Prayer is an essential tool for cleaning things up. Every time we pray, we’re breaking the grip of self-reliance as we learn to depend more on our God.
I know that in my own life, fasting has become an answer to many of these prayers. Sometimes God will lead you to temporarily fast (abstain) from certain foods or other personal pleasures as an appetite-denying discipline (Matthew 6:16-18 | MSG).
Fasting is simply saying “no” to yourself, so you can say “yes” to God. It’s one of the most practical ways to take your eyes off the desires of this world, so God can change your spiritual appetite. It’s not an attention-getting exercise, it’s an exercise in genuinely giving ourselves to God. And when we do that, Matthew 6:18 tell us that “He [God] won’t overlook what you are doing—
he’ll reward you well.”
live blessed
What comes out of us originates from “what’s within our hearts” (Luke 6:45 | NIV). So if you want to better understand what’s in your heart, just look at your hands. Look at the way you spend your most valuable resources (time, money, & energy). Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) says:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust destroy & where thieves break in & steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What greater advice could Jesus possibly offer us? He’s giving us the ultimate inside-scoop on eternal investing. And what better place to stockpile your treasure than in heaven?
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart: don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go…
Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over…” Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)
We’re called to give God our first and our best. Maybe that means you need to start by tithing (returning the first 10% of your income to God through a local church). Maybe it’s a matter of reallocating how you’re spending your time or energy. How this plays out in your life is uniquely between you and God. What’s clear is that God wants to burst your barns.
He wants to bless your life in a way that’s simply uncontainable. So much so, that it changes the lives of others in ways that you’d never be able to accomplish on your own. Don’t hold back from giving God the first. Don’t hold back from giving Him your best. God will take care of you—
god will bless the rest.
walk in it
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
God wants to lead you along His perfect path, but that means you have to entrust Him to do so. You have to surrender your source of control & allow Him to show you the way. The “person who truly sees” doesn’t walk by sight alone, but by faith in the One who sees it all. Give your faith to God & He will give you sight. Each & every day, He’ll show you the way. And each & every day—
you’ll walk in it.
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today’s Takeaways
His Spirit does the heavy lifting.
Keep god first.
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.