If you are a fellow believer, then you believe this. If you are not, then you probably do not understand what it means. I mean, what do you mean.. not of this world? We are here aren't we?? Are we?!
God calls us to go out to all 4 corners of the earth and preach the gospel. He wants the whole world to know who Jesus is. He wants the world to be SAVED. I have a previous blog that discusses what salvation is and I invite you to read it. When we become a part of this world, we get sucked into the media, the society, the influences..we are sucked into the flesh. We become addicted to worldly things. I will be the first to admit that i am guilty. I spend more time on facebook, twitter, instagram, vine, and lets not forget my addiction to Candy Crush. I open my bible app one or two times throughout the day, and really dig into the word, but what good does it do if we aren't applying it to our lives.
- Scripture does not say, follow as many people as you can to get twice as many follow backs. It says "follow me, pick up your cross and leave your selfish ways."
- Scripture does not say; follow someones life through social media. He calls us to go out and invest in the lives of others.
- Scripture does not say; selfishly live out our lives and offend as many as possible. No, it says to examine ourselves, and then put others before ourseleves
God didn't put Jesus on this earth so he could come collect as much money as he could, and spend it on worthless stuff. He put Jesus on this earth to save us from our sins. The most self-less act you could ever ask for. He asks us to pick up our cross and follow him. He challenges us to sell all of our possessions and give the money to the poor.
In my life, I have some friends. To name a few, Ansley, Holli, Cory, Jamie, Stephanie, Beth.. who have all sold their possessions, and moved to the other side of the world, and serve the poor. I have other friends, who have been called to short term missions, in Ethiopia this summer, and Kandi who gives up so much to give so much to Haiti. How hard would it be for one, to give up their possessions, and their time to go and serve short/long term? It is a true calling from God. They have amazing testimonies, and awesome stories of what God is doing. They truly live by the spirit. They are not of this world.
Some of the most unhappiest people you'll meet are those that only live by the flesh and not by the spirit. Although, their outer appearance may show that they are, its inside that they aren't. Its not a fun life to always be consumed by all the worldly things.
This.World.Needs.Jesus.
The difference between the flesh and the spirit, is when we are living in the flesh we find ourselves consumed by the worldly things. When we live by the spirit, we are fully relying on God. F.r.o.g as i learned in elementary school
We are not of this world. God created us as flesh, but this world is not our home. It is only temporary. Again, in Matthew we are called to go out and be disciples. How do we do that if we are part of this world, and in the flesh? We can't! If you are a believer and you follow in the word, you know that it's not long until Jesus comes back! Look at Israel! Our nation is falling! Why? Because God is being taken out of the picture!! The same thing that happened to Israel. They decided they did not need God anymore, so what happened!? They Fell! Then they had to rebuild! It's all there!! Its time to get serious and take put Jesus in your life!
Recently, I had a fallout of my own. I let my flesh take over, and i went a little over-the-top with some conversations and actions. I had to pretty much hit myself with a brick and say "this is not what you should be doing!!" but how easy is it to slip into a door once its been cracked!? We find ourselves in conversations with others, and we actually start to trick ourselves into something thats more appealing! The only way to get out of it, is by having God in your life and letting him be your strength.
While babysitting, I have been watching a lot of Disney Channel and some of the shows are a little bit... worldly. A lot of them show that you should have the smartphone, the clothes, the look. It also seems like if you are smart and make the right decisions, then you come off as dumb. Working in a middle school, it makes so much sense now. These kids are constantly surrounded by the social media, the influences, and the clothes. Very rarely do you hear of kids that play outside anymore, or kids being kids. I'm very thankful to be with 4 very awesome kids everyday this summer, that understand what it still means to be a kid, and actively having fun. But what about the youth that don't have that life? Do they go through middle and high school focused on themselves? Because that's what its about.. I see so many of these high schoolers offending each other through Twitter, because "they arent going to know i'm talking about them." Sadly, most of them know. Bullying is at an all time high today. A large percent of it being cyber-bullying. It's only to go up, because it's not.being.stopped. Its all or nothing in schools these days. I daily in the schools see so many examples of this. Its a cycle of who can be better, who can be meaner..cyberbullying needs.to.stop. But it comes down to a lot of that generation is learning to live by the worldly thing, and thats it.
They need to know self respect, and love.
You know, being on a few mission trips, i often get the "why are you going to other countries, when you can do so much in your own." But what are those people doing that ask that? Ask yourself what you can do. Can you be the hands and feet to this generation growing up and show them who Jesus is? That doesnt mean you have to preach to them. Its being the example. No words necessary. I look up to my husband a lot, because he's being that voice to the youth. He goes into the schools, he provides a club, and he is being the hands and feet to the youth.
If you have a passion to see this world love Jesus, then I encourage you to reach out to the youth and show them who he is. Because if they have never heard, they will never know.
Die to self.
The bible says that in order to become a follower we must die to self. What does that mean? Well...
"20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." Eph 4:20-24
Throw off your old sinful nature and your formal way of life...get rid of it! Begin a new life in Christ, washed white as snow. Take up your cross, and follow HIM.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the FLESH, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”Galatians 5:13-14
Do not use the freedom for the Flesh; but instead.. serve one another!!
With all this being said.. Always remember.. you are not of this world. This world belongs to God. WE need to be the hands and feet, and even when we see corruption, and evil, we need to remember not to live in the flesh but to use scripture, and love, and live by the spirit.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. But in order to access our God given destiny, we need to not just know who God is, but we need to know God, and have salvation with Jesus Christ.
Until next time... In His name.. <3
