HEAVENSREEF

I often have to wonder and put myself under the lens to see, if in any way do I appear different to those around me?  If we are walking closely with JESUS then our lives should appear to be lived different from the rest of the world.

MATTHEW 7:20  “THUS  YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.”

Our heart’s desire should be to walk in our circle of influence with the steady influence of CHRIST upon us.

How often have we asked ourselves, in that situation, did I respond in the flesh or in the Spirit?

I’m sure there are many of us that can think of countless times when we responded in the flesh and the result was not a good outcome.  And we also remember those times when we responded in the Spirit and the outcome was better than we could ever have imagined!

WALKING CLOSELY WITH GOD KEEPS YOUR SPIRITUAL LENS CLEAR AND FOCUSED.

HIS SPIRIT MAKES US DIFFERENT!

Since we all are spending a little more time on social media these days, let’s make sure we look different there too.  We all have heard the expression “it’s not what you say, but how you say it”.  Let’s respond with kind and uplifting words that mean something.  We should comment when wisdom is needed, but with the Spirit’s wisdom.

SO WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

First of all, let’s remember that we are forgiven and free!  We have CHRIST JESUS as the LORD of our lives and HIS daily moment by moment guidance is priceless!  HIS WORD transforms us into different people. 

EPHESIANS 1: 13-14 “IN HIM YOU ALSO, WHEN YOU HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION, AND BELIEVED IN HIM, WERE SEALED WITH THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL WE ACQUIRE POSSESSION OF IT, TO THE POWER OF HIS GLORY.”

We are different because we are saved……..our salvation is secure so we know where we are going.  We are sealed with the promise of the HOLY SPIRIT and we daily praise the ONE who died for our sins!

The abundance of the SPIRIT develops a different character within us and will continue to do so until the day we die.  We are becoming what CHRIST wants us to be………HIS beloved.

JOB 27: 5-6 “……..TILL I DIE I WILL NOT PUT AWAY MY INTEGRITY FROM ME.  I HOLD FAST MY RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WILL NOT LET IT GO.”

We are different because we are part of HIS beloved……..

EPHESIANS 5: 1  “THEREFORE, BE IMITATORS OF GOD, AS DEARLY BELOVED CHILDREN.”

We are different from one another, but we are all functioning as one body, the body of CHRIST to make a difference.

A different life is a listening life, a life filled with compassion and mercy for others.  It is a life well lived with the whole intention to love others.

That’s what makes us truly different: we love when others hate and we forgive when others hold a grudge.  We encourage when others tear down and we love unconditionally and abundantly.  We fight our battles on our knees and we never give up hope.  We suffer through trials differently and we are keenly aware of GOD’S presence.

Has anyone ever told you “you seem different”?  Maybe they didn’t know you were a follower of JESUS just yet, but they were drawn to how or why you were so “different”.  I would love to hear your story!

LIVE DIFFERENT……..LIVE LOVED…….LIVE ABUNDANTLY!!

EPHESIANS 4: 1  “THEREFORE I, THE PRISONER OF THE LORD, URGE YOU TO LIVE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED, WITH ALL HUMILITY AND GENTLENESS, WITH PATIENCE, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE, MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE.”