Good morning world and all who inhabit it! This beautiful morning I want you to encourage you all to take a look at your Christian walk and examine yourselves. This is what the scripture says:
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
Are you really doing the things that God wants you to do with all of your heart, soul and mind? Are you loving God and the people in your life with everything you have? Are you praying in faith; and more than just believing, but knowing; that God hears and will help your every need? The scripture says to examine and test yourselves because the power of God (if you have given your life to Jesus Christ, through accepting Him into your heart by faith) lives inside if you! A lot of times, the reason things don’t happen in our Christian walk that we want to see happen, is because we are not truly knowing and acting on the knowledge that God is in us and His unlimited power has been bestowed upon us to help us, guide us, teach us, comfort us, and give us the ability to do the things we normally wouldn’t be able to do.
In Matthew chapter 17, the scripture tells us about a women who approached Jesus to heal her son who was possessed by a demon. She told Jesus that she had sought his disciples to heal her son first, but though they tried, they could not. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit out of the boy and the women’s son was restored. At this sight the disciples were perplexed and they asked Jesus in verse 19; “Why could we not cast him out?” This was Jesus’ response;
Matthew 17:20 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Do you hear that folks? Our unbelief in the transformative power of Jesus Christ is holding us back from doing great things in life! The Lord said that nothing is impossible for those that believe in Him! Thank God that he has given us the power to over come our sicknesses, problems, worries, and the world in general, through our unwavering faith in him. Hallelujah! Notice that Jesus was able to do the miraculous miracle of healing on the boy because of His belief in the power of God. He had faith in God’s strength and not his own. The disciple’s; not having faith in God’s power but relying on their own strength, failed. Too often this happens in our own lives as well.
In Luke 9:61 a man said unto Jesus, “Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” Jesus responded and said:
Luke 9:62 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Do you find yourself in this man’s shoes more often then not? Do you feel Jesus is calling you, but instead of following Him you respond, “I will Lord but first let me do this and that.” What are the things in your life that are holding you back from following Jesus? Is it certain people? Certain habits? Un-edifying behaviors? Excuses? Or your unbelief? Once God has changed our lives for the better, he doesn’t want us “looking back” and getting caught up in the things of this life that are not going to edify us. He has a wonderfully created plan for each and every one of our lives- to continue trying to live life the way we want to is robbing ourselves of the joy, peace, and fulfillment that Jesus has for us. I encourage you to examinne yourself (And I will too!) and ask God to open your eyes to the things in your life that are holding you back and robbing you of a life of peace, love, strength and power. Nothing in this world compares to the gratifying, joy and peace producing relationship that you can have in Jesus Christ. Believe it.
Have a marvelous day everyone! Be blessed💓
Lifted Vision Ministry 