Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Relationship
Organizing the Inside – Day 365 Seek Intimacy With God
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NLT)
Fellowship breeds intimacy. Intimacy with God is not something that is just going to happen because we hope for it. To know and experience the loving grace of God in a more intimate way we must first surrender, by faith to His divine will. Does God really want to know us intimately? But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NIV) As we answer our heart’s deeper calling in Him, our sincere desire will then be to know Him more intimately.
Let’s not let our needs be the single most important reason which drives us to seek God. Let it be our love that motivates us to give Him more time, attention and interest. The more we seek God, the deeper our desire to know Him becomes. The more we know God, the more we want to know about Him.
Let Intimacy bring about an entirely new gateway to experiencing a deeper commitment in Christ. God wants to do something new in your life and mine. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) He wants to give us a new song to sing. As you go about your way, allow the Holy Spirit to put God’s fresh melody in your heart. There are those who will live and die having never experienced true intimacy with God. However, for those who are willing to diligently seek Him, they will indeed find Him. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Live out the purpose God has for you so that through your obedience others can clearly see His goodness. I pray you experience all that God wants for you. May the world catch a glimpse of true hope and contentment because of your life in Christ? For we know that the peace, love, joy, and complete fulfillment that comes from a personal relationship with God, cannot be compared with anything that this world has to offer. May your life be filled with His gladness and song, as you totally commit yourselves to living and celebrating it in Him. May you experience true hope, and the fellowship which is yours through Jesus Christ. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside – Day 363 For Ourselves and Our Posterity
3The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals 4but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; … 2 Chronicles 17: 3-6a (NIV)
Security is not found in what others before us have done. We are responsible for establishing our own relationship with God and obeying His calling today. Our biggest responsibility is to fulfill our purpose in our own generation. The great heritage of strong Christian women in my family is not something I take lightly. I’ve seen the stark contrast of the effect of sin in families whose parents and grandparents didn’t know the Lord. For those of us who are here today, the greatest legacy we can leave posterity is one that points to Christ. Business leaders, world-renowned artists and highly acclaimed scholars without a personal relationship with God leave behind nothing of eternal value.
Many people speak of family values; but how many actually live lives that honor those values? Quick to defend their “family values” most make excuses about choices made. What makes it so difficult to see that only what we do for Christ will last? When your last breath is taken what difference will your investments make in the lives of the next generation? Wealth and status, where do they fit in to God’s plan of redemption for your household and future generations? Sure we cherish the tea-cup set my grandmother played with when she was a child, and even the acreage that still holds the family name, but it was her relentless prayers and right choices that will forever reach the lives of our own grandchildren. No one can ever bring back to us wasted years spent in foolish acts of disobedience. Who can return to us the endless hours given toward earning more wealth, instead of answering the call to life?
Secure now a life of prayer and peace. Keep fellowship with God a priority. Do it for yourself, but also for the next generation who will inevitably be affected by the life you choose today. Through trial and success find ways to point out the mighty works of God. Let’s face it; much of what we experience today is a direct result of the choices our parents and their parents’ parents made. I’m not talking about generational curses. I’m talking about the enormous responsibility we have today to leave behind a legacy that tells a story and shows a path that points to the true meaning of love and prosperity. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside – Day 362 Identify With Christ
14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
God will open the door for you to witness. When was the last opportunity you had to witness to someone about the love of Jesus? You can be a bold witness for Christ and not be ashamed of your love for God. If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38 (NLT) Let’s get this whole witnessing matter worked out.
First make up your mind that you want to live right (righteously). Let’s assume you’ve done that. Check! Now, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to be a witness and speak boldly about Christ. If you ask and believe, He will fill you full of power. (Read Acts 1:4, 5 and Acts 2:1-4) Next, let others know where you stand. Take advantage of the first opportunity you have to let people know where you stand. They will respect you for your honesty.
Let love be your banner. I’m not suggesting that every time you walk into a room you make an announcement declaring your religious beliefs. I am however suggesting that you ask God for the right opportunity to let others know you are a Christian and that you love God. Do both, because telling someone you are a Christian doesn’t mean much these days. It’s reported that up to 76% of Americans say they are Christians. If you hide your light how will they see Him? You are salt and light, therefore add flavor and don’t cover the light. If your life sets the tone, what’s wrong with that?
Being honest with people upfront will only strengthen you.
1. You will know they are watching your walk and this (if you are sincere) will encourage you to live upright as you represent Christ. 2. It will encourage humility and honor. For example: if you act out of character, an apology will seem much easier, and it will give others real interaction with an imperfect person who is living a sincere life for Christ. That is a powerful testimony! 3. When God gives you one-on-one time to share Christ, it will often be because the other person wants to know more about the hope that you have.
Here are a few things you could expect to happen:
1. They will rebel because of anger or conviction and persecute you.
2. They will avoid you all together, all the while watching your life.
3. They will simply watch how you live, and never ask any questions.
4. They will seek God through you by doing things like: asking for prayer or for your opinion about a serious problem they are facing.
Some are searching and don’t realize it. Just as many of us did before we gave our lives to Christ, people are looking for answers, and gathering information. I remember watching how people behaved in church and asking lots of questions. Perhaps you tried reading books about religion or watched religious programs on television. The point is this: when people don’t know Christ, but are seeking the truth they need your light. What God gives you to share may not be a lot of words about right and wrong.
Witnessing starts with the decision to forsake the world and live for Christ. Then you have to be committed to living that life openly before others. Finally, be ready to share the gospel, which frees those who are in bondage to sin. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Final thoughts about witnessing:
Some people are not meant for you to witness to. “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:6 (NLT) Always practice discernment; share the Word as the Spirit leads. Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice. Proverbs 23:9 (NLT)
Never allow anyone lure you into an argumentative debate about Christian beliefs and foolish fables. Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. Titus 3:9 (NLT)
When you share the message of truth, if anyone doesn’t receive it… move on with peace and love in your heart. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:13 (KJV)
Always point them to Jesus. My three favorite scriptures for witnessing are simple, yet so powerful. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Be bold and let your light shine. And whether they listen or fail to listen–for they are a rebellious house–they will know that a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel 2:5 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 359 Keep Your First Love
2I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Revelation 2:2-4 (KJV)
Keep your Christian life and relationship with God from becoming routine. Faithfully you give daily attention to prayer, praise and worship. In your sincere desire to be faithful has it all become so routine that the energy and passion you once felt is no longer there? If you’ve tried to make the right choices and spend quality time with God, but feel the excitement and newness you once enjoyed has waned, don’t be ashamed. Why not shake things up a bit? There is nothing mundane or unexciting about the things of God. Instead of your usual quiet time at home, consider an early morning walk on the beach or a hike through the woods as part of your devotional time to change things up. What things did you once enjoy that you rarely do anymore?
Always be a witness! Remember the anticipation and excitement you felt when you first gave your life to God? If you were like most, you told anyone who would listen about your new-found eternal life. When you share your passion and love for the things of God with others, seeing their reaction definitely keeps things interesting, but it also helps your love for God grow. Sharing your testimony helps strengthen you and others. The next time you walk into your local coffee shop, instead of starting a conversation about the weather, or last night’s game ask your fellow coffee drinker one thought-provoking question. “If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven?” As the Holy Spirit leads, be ready to share God’s life changing Word. Being a witness (in some ways) is like being a fan; there isn’t anything more exciting than living for God. While sharing the good news is serious business, it is so much fun! When you are fanatic about the kingdom of God, the more you share the message of truth, the more interesting things tend to become. Continue being faithful in your relationship with God, but share the love. There is a lost and dying world that needs to know the fulfillment of having a first love.
Organizing the Inside – Day 358 Faith to Live Victoriously
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT)
Plan to live the abundant life Jesus came to give. I’m a firm believer that without established plans things generally go terribly off course. Being the planner that I am, I tend to leave nothing to chance. Lately I’ve spent much time contemplating how to stay close to God and keep my relationship with Him tight. If your heart’s desire is to dwell in His house all the days of your life, and to walk in His ways then you’ve probably had this same concern. In my discovery of the true keys to the kingdom of God I’ve learned many things that greatly impacted my personal relationship with God.
Amidst all the commitments, expectations and stuff to do how do we keep God first? Fortunately your relationship with God doesn’t depend on ritualistic practices of religious customs. Your relationship with God depends on your faith. Of course when you have a relationship with someone you want to please them. If you made a list of the best ways to please God, FAITH would likely be at the top. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) Faith is the highest ranking necessity that pleases God, because it makes the other things that please Him possible.
How do we get this high ranking “must have FAITH” in our arsenal of Christian life best practices? How do we walk and live by faith daily? Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) Read and print PDF.
5 Strategic Best Practices to Increase Your Faith:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
- Hear the Word of God preached and proclaimed.
- Hear the Word of God by meditating on it.
- Hear the Word of God through prayer.
- Hear the Word of God by reading it.
- Hear the Word of God by reciting or speaking it.
Call upon your courage by the power of the Holy Spirit. If your life sometimes feels like a rollercoaster ride being up on your faith today and full of doubt and worry tomorrow, ask God for the courage to get off the ride at once. You have faith; so allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to take the right steps that fit your lifestyle and personal needs. Be creative! If you don’t always have lots of time to formally sit and read the bible, look for the bible on CD’s. Also Apple and Android has audio bible applications that you can download for free. Pray about and consider (additional) new ways to spend time getting the Word of God in your heart. Taking active steps toward having the relationship God wants you to have will help change your life. If you are fed up with being up and down or in and out when it comes to faith and the things of God do something now to fix it.
God has given you and me great success, so let’s walk in it. If you have ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to your heart. Act now! Don’t delay…your schedule will never be perfect nor will your lifestyle be what you want it to be until you act on the Word that you have heard. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Hebrews 4:2 (NIV) Taking action will activate your faith.
Finally, my dear sisters in Christ, with your whole heart seek God and He will reward you. Don’t be afraid to believe Him for the seemingly impossible. Yes, you can live a full life, with family, work, home, ministry, and the rest and still keep a right, and fulfilling relationship with God. You don’t have to always struggle to get it right. Our Christian walk is not a rough climb up some imaginary spiritual mountain. Jesus told us to speak to the mountain and tell it to move. Oh, but this too requires faith. We can live everyday victoriously. He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower and teach us how. Jesus gave real life examples to live by, and God has given us the power of His written Word to learn from and stand upon. We have all we need to live without compromise as overcomers; nothing more is required. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
We are the righteousness of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 (KJV)
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and successes with others.
Organizing the Inside – Day 353 What’s Determining Your Direction?
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Let’s face it every aspect of life relates to the condition of the heart. You may think much of what you’re confronted with in life is based upon circumstances and your environment, but even that influences your heart. Our hearts have an effect on our relationships, faith, doubt, decisions and our willingness to obey the voice of God. Because of this, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to guard our hearts. There are so many outside factors like competing priorities, busyness and commitments that tug at us daily. Constantly calling out to unsuspecting passersby, the world fights for our affections.
There’s not a shortage of causes to take up. Preying on your sense of compassion to help the needy; marketers make it difficult to say no, but easy to get caught up in the next “big cause” being promoted. We live apart from all the confusion and chaos that worldly passions bring. Sure there are causes that we should support, and be passionate about; but the biggest cause that deserves our attention is the need for mankind to know the Creator. Our hearts belongs to God. Yes, we are a chosen generation, “So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 20:7 (NLT) What can you do to guard your heart? Consider what steps to take to keep your heart in step with God.
Organizing the Inside – Day 352 Pursuits In Order
24A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NIV)
Other than Jesus, Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He matter-of-factly concluded that there are great deals of meaningless activities that most people spend time on. The daily grind of working and pursuing goals and ambitions are all for the most part worthless. Should we conclude by his writings that there is nothing in life worth accomplishing? I believe that Solomon wanted us to understand that the only thing in life worth living for is the fulfillment of God’s purpose for you and me. How many times have we sought after things and explored ideas that led to a dead-end? I’ll be the first to admit to several futile pursuits in life. There are however lessons to learn. Solomon set out to do it all, live it all, build it all and have it all. He experienced great highs and lows, but the reality of living a life apart from God’s direction and purpose (he concluded) is essentially a waste of time.
Only through a relationship with God does life have meaning. When we try to do things on our own and build kingdoms unto ourselves what value does all this hard work really have? Businesses, homes and acquisition upon acquisition are meaningless apart from the purpose and plan of God. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36 How can life take on meaning without the One who gives us purpose? “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Do you want your life’s work to have meaning? Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (KJV) Then turn your attention to God’s will. Let your life’s pursuits be about His plan for you and not your own. Set your heart on helping to build God’s kingdom. Let Matthew 6:10 be your heart’s prayer. In the end only what we do for Christ will matter. In Him we can accomplish His goals and experience sustainable success.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NLT)
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 349 Trading In Stress For Godly Freedom
28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Sometimes as women we become obsessed with trying to please others. Too often you’re willing to spend extra hours, and invest extra resources because you’re driven to please another human being. Some of us are giving more consideration to what someone else thinks, before considering God. When this person is happy life seems good, but when they are unhappy, perhaps because of something that you failed to do, then things go downhill fast.
This is an unfair and horribly stressful way to live. People pleasers are prone to depression and anxiety because that’s not how God intended for anyone to live. God did however give us an internal desire to please Him. Certainly we know, “The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:34 (KJV) So does this mean that the married woman has to end up stressed and pressed on every side, because she’s trying to please her husband? Being concerned, and carrying an unrealistic burden (that God never intended) are two different issues. Although the married woman is concerned with how she may please her husband, an unbalanced approach will lead to an unbalanced lifestyle.
Let go of any unhealthy preoccupation with pleasing anyone other than the Lord. If the godly woman’s life pleases the Lord, I sincerely believe she will in turn please her husband (whether he is saved or not). God will show you how to please your husband without compromising your relationship with Christ. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) For the unmarried and married alike, it could be a boss or someone else in your life you’ve been worried about pleasing. You can ultimately learn to give, care and love others out of the wonderful freedom and joy that comes from pleasing God first.
God’s perspective brings relief for the people-pleaser. When you take your concerns to God in prayer He will give you insightful solutions to help change your stressful circumstances. Be sure to keep this matter in prayer. Release the tension, that accompanies those deep feelings of inadequacy, and experience the peace of God, by first pleasing Him. This is what it all comes down to. Are you willing to trust the Holy Spirit to make your life pleasing to God first? If you are, then the burden of trying to please others will soon be a thing of the past.
Related articles that I thought you might find helpful.
- 3 Tips to have a Godly Marriage (johnathanhines.wordpress.com)
- When My Spouse is Wrong (peacefulwife.com)
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 