Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Christianity
Organizing the Inside – Day 360 It’s Time For True Worship – A Way of Life
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)
Most people refuse to go there. Many will keep doing what they do, until rejecting pure knowledge becomes a way of life. When you and I look deep into the hidden places of our hearts by allowing God’s Holy Spirit to go there, what do we find? Have we spent precious time pursuing our own agendas or does God rule supreme? This is as simple as any spiritual matter can be. Who rules my heart, me or God?
Question: What was the very last thing that He told you to clean up, remove, get rid of, let go of, give up, stop doing or surrender? Did you do it, or are you still trying to hold on to what you want?
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. John 12:48 (NLT)
Yes, we know and understand this: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT) The Word of God is not complicated or confusing… the plain and simple truth is clear. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 1 John 3:9 (NLT)
I don’t believe the gospel was meant to make people feel good. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) It’s time for many folks to stop playing “Christian” by assuming a form of what looks like Christianity on the outside, but honestly denying the power of God that would live on the inside. Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:5 (NIV) Jesus described them by saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:8 (NLT)
15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. Titus 1:15, 16 (NLT)
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:15 (NLT)
But the time is coming–indeed it’s here now–when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. John 4:23 (NLT) We must redeem the time!
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 351 Have You Gained Weight Lately?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
WEIGHT as defined by Bing is heaviness: the quality of heaviness in things, determined by their mass or quantity of matter as acted on by the force of gravity, that counteracts efforts to lift or move them. As we consider this definition let’s look at how weight applies to the life of a Christian woman. I believe this is a common concern of Christian women everywhere. There are things in our lives that counteract our efforts to reach our true potential and hold us back from fulfilling the plan of God. Christians pick up habits, pursue cravings and chase after desires for things that (may or) may not in themselves be sinful, but end up superseding their desire to love and please God. This will eventually result in sin.
We know that weight affects mobility. The overweight person is physically hindered or slowed down by all the added weight. The simple task of walking or running becomes increasingly more challenging for someone who is carrying added weight. The same is true spiritually for those Christians who carry various things from the world that keep them from serving God. Take a moment to ask yourself if there are things that you are carrying that slow you down in this race toward the kingdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome any weight problems you have. It is only by His grace and strength that you will have the power to lay aside any hindrances.
Watch out for subtle things that add weight.
1. False teaching – 7You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! Galatians 5:7-9 (NLT)
2. Fear of giving up the past: old friends, old ways and old ideas – throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)
3. Desires that speak to a prideful craving for acceptance – For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 1 John 2:16 (NLT)
4. Continued observation of sin – I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.Psalm 101:3 (JKV)
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 (NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
May we allow the Holy Spirit to look deep within our hearts and minds and convict us of any heavy thing that we’ve knowingly or unknowingly held on to. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23, 24 (KJV) Let us then move forward, empowered in His love and righteousness to complete the work and finish this race!
Organizing the Inside – Day 348 Have a Laugh!
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” Psalm 126:2 (NLT)
Laughter is good and it’s refreshing too. I believe laughter is a unique and special gift from God. Giggling is not just for the young, it sure can help rejuvenate the tired. No drug store prescription is needed, when you have laughter it often chases away the worries of the world. Have you ever laughed so hard that your side hurt and you could hardly catch your breath? God made us to laugh when tickled and sometimes for me, just the thought of being tickled makes me burst out in uncontrollable laughter. Must we always be so serious? Sure spiritual matters are serious business, but God certainly has a sense of humor and laughter is a gift He gave.
Consider letting your hair down; enjoy a joke or two. Laughter is often contagious. There are certain people you should keep on speed dial. You know, the ones who will always have a funny story or a laugh to share. Happy people who enjoy life seem to laugh a lot. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The stress of the daily grind may make us frown or even seem angry. This gives the wrong impression about Christian living. Add a laugh break to your calendar (if that works for you) but enjoy God’s great gift of laughter. The next time you feel exhausted after a long and stressful day try laughter; it will help relax you and bring a sense of lightheartedness to those around you. There’s nothing innately sinful about laughter it’s okay to indulge.
Organizing the Inside – Day 347 Blind Spots In Our Lives
37Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say. Mark 14:37-40 (NLT)
Are you ever too tired to watch and pray?
I know you’re embarrassed and just like the disciples you don’t know what to say… I’ve been there before. Through prayer hidden dangers are exposed. Blind spots come in many forms. You know that it’s there, but you may not turn your head to look in that direction until it’s almost too late. While driving, have you ever turned your head just slight enough to realize at the last second that completing your lane change would have caused an accident? You can never assume that because your blind spot was clear the last time you checked, you can safely change lanes minutes later. For this very reason we must maintain a strong prayer life. We never know what kinds of everyday things are lurking in our blind spots. Prayer keeps us alert! Consider these warning signs and don’t let them go unnoticed; avoid a serious collision:
- Being over tired because you don’t get enough rest.
- Bringing home frustration from work that affects your loved ones.
- Not listening to the advice of a trusted friend.
- Ignoring a sermon that really spoke to your heart.
- Taking on too much to please others.
- Choosing to do what you want instead of what God said.
- Not spending your time wisely like too much time on social media.
- Forgetting to keep a close watch on your priorities.
Perhaps you’ve skipped your time with God to save a few extra minutes on a busy day? The super busy life that many Christian women lead can cause serious problems down the road. If you’ve found yourself caught off guard in the past and have allowed some of the more important priorities slip, prayer will get things back in focus. Prayer produces power and when your life lacks prayer you will also lack power. As summer comes to a close and schedules begin to normalize, watch out for hidden dangers that go unnoticed because of prayerlessness. God is our compass guiding us until we reach our ultimate destination. His internal systems will alert us when danger is nearby. No matter what high-ranking items you have lingering on your “To Do” lists keep God first and never slack off in prayer.
Organizing the Inside – Day 339 Have You Checked Your Reflection?
17Then the Lord said to Moses, 18“Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 19Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there. They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the Lord and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the Lord—or they will die! Exodus 30:17-20 (NLT)
The Word of God is not only cleansing, it is also reflective. Moses was instructed to place the bronze washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar and fill it with water. The water in the bronze basin which was made from bronze mirrors was both reflective and for cleansing. Each time Arron and his sons entered the Tabernacle to offer gifts before the altar of God they were to first purify themselves by stopping to wash at the reflective washbasin. Today as Christians those same reflective and cleansing properties are found in the Word of God to change us to be more like Christ.
God’s Word gives us an honest look at ourselves. We must daily look into that perfect mirror and circumspectly consider the refection that is looking back at us. 22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Have you looked at yourself in the mirror then walked away and forgot what you looked like? If during the course of the day you realize you haven’t checked your hair or makeup wouldn’t you give it a quick check before going into an important meeting? The Word of God should be the same, we can’t just check this wonderful reflective mirror in the morning and not look at our reflection again until a few days later. Most women will do several quick checks through out the day. When we are open to both the reflective and cleansing power of God’s Word, it really does set us completely free from what we used to be.
The books of Exodus and James teaches us an important lesson about our reflection and how to be blessed by God. What is says to me is that each time I meet with God I should remember the Word and remember my reflection. I can’t just go away and forget what I look like, but I have to obey the Word and continually allow it to cleanse and change me into Christ’s very own image.
Organizing the Inside – Day 338 Choose to Live Fearlessly
24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25About three o’clock in the morningJesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:24-27 (NLT)
Fear can be pretty unpredictable. I’ve often looked up, wondering what has me stuck and realized that fear has reared its ugly head once again. Some say you can smell it, but as far as I know it is colorless, tasteless and odorless. This thing “FEAR” is not something you want to conquer, not really. Fear must be eradicated. I’ve concluded in my limited knowledge about spiritual matters that we cannot make it go away on our own, and wrestling with it is definitely not part of God’s plan. Although fear manifests itself physically in ways that we can plainly see, it is clearly a spiritual problem.
What happened to Peter when he went from faith to fear? He began to doubt Jesus. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31 (NLT) Something happens in the heart and mind when there is fear; there is a sense of being stuck and or you dread the future. Like Peter when someone is walking in fear they start out questioning, (Lord if it’s really you) move on to obeying (So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.) and end up doubting, (But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.) There is only one way that we can truly live fearlessly and that is through Jesus Christ, by accepting God’s Word as the final truth and authority in our lives. (“Yes, come,” Jesus said.) When God says it, we have total confidence to do it.
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (NIV) Fearless living is a choice. We choose to live fearlessly by choosing to live a life of love, and refusing to compromise or doubt God because of what we see.
Organizing the Inside – Day 333 Happy to Be a Gatekeeper
1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 2I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! 4What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Selah
Psalm 84:1-4 (NIV)
We can meet with God anywhere. He is always there when we need Him. The psalmist was speaking of the temple where God’s Spirit dwelled. Today our bodies are considered a type of temple, because God’s Spirit dwells within each of us (Christians). The church (building) is also a type of temple, referred to as the house of God. We go there to meet with Him and be closer to the people of God. This is part of God’s plan for community. Going to church allows us to corporately worship Him and together along with other believers we honor Him with our gifts and service. An important part of Christian living; this adds to the Christian experience and should not be neglected. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
We need a place that is separate from the world. A place where the things of God are prominently placed, cueing us to worship. Not a place where traditions, and rituals or idols are the focus, but a place that aids our worship of God and supports our need to fellowship with each other. This is the local church. Many enjoy community among comrades in this fight of faith via the internet, but keep in mind there is no substitution for meeting together with other believers. Neither turning on the television nor logging on the internet can take the place of entering His gates, although there are many great messages there. The world is a busy place, full of distractions and bright shiny objects that tend to call us away from what is most important. We are bombarded with information and unjust causes that tug, again and again for our support. Remember to step away from it all and allow God to give you perspective… His perspective.
10Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:10-12 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 332 A Reason Behind Every Season
9What do people really get for all their hard work? 10I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (NLT)
There is a season for everything under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) If we accept the reality of this truth and learn to embrace the season we are in today, we can get the most out of every experience God has ordained for us to learn from. Is it harvest time or planning? Is it watering or planting season? What season is your life in now? Knowing and accepting the answer to this very important question will save you from a lot of the frustration and aggravation that comes with trying to do what you think is right. Sure God has a plan and His intent is for you and me to live out that plan with great success. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Confident living comes from trusting God. Our lives shouldn’t drag behind hopeful that we are pursuing what’s right. Nor should we hurry ahead being driven by the endless winds of today’s next new thing because of impatience. The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 (NLT) Know your current season. Start now; seek God for the level of certainty that will allow you to confidently pursue your goals. If your life sometimes seems as though it’s flapping in the wind, remember your anchor is sure. 18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:18, 19a (NLT) We can rely on God’s promise of success and grace in our hour of need. No matter what season your life is in, God is with you, and He also goes before you. He is already in tomorrow, waiting for your arrival as He prepares the way. Be confident about your season, God has impeccable timing.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 