Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Gospel of Matthew
Organizing the Inside – Day 345 When Family Decides Not To Serve God
32“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Matthew 10:32-36 (NIV)
Ultimately we all want what’s best for our family. We have brothers, sisters and other close family members whom we’ve spent years of our lives sharing and growing with. But what happens when you choose to serve God, and your family could seemingly care less? Or perhaps they started out walking with you and somehow they’ve decided to go another way? Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Amos 3:3 (NIV) Where does this leave the family bond? We know that family meant a lot to Jesus, but we also realize that He never put family before His relationship with God, and His mission to serve Him. Matthew 12:47-50
Jesus came to bring a sword, not peace. It takes a bold Christian to agree with Christ regardless of what family and friends choose. When Jesus is introduced into the family dynamics it will be decision time. Some will say yes to being sold out for Christ. Others will reject God’s free gift of salvation and make the choice to serve their sinful nature instead. While you choose to make Him Lord, there will be those in your family who choose to go against your Christian lifestyle and reject everything you know to be true about God.
Christian commitment may separate family and friends. You must be willing to take a stand for God, no matter who disagrees. Especially for those who are in close-knit families, your choice to live for God and follow the way of Christ may leave you standing alone. No one is suggesting you abandon your family, but if you are following Christ and they aren’t, you will indeed have to make some tough choices. The calling of God is to a higher mission and although we have peace on the inside, a peaceful life without conflict is far from what He’s called us to have. That kind of thinking makes the gospel appear uncertain. The choice must be clear and we cannot present an, “I’m okay; you’re okay. We are all God’s children… let’s have world peace.” kind of false gospel and expect people to choose LIFE. 7Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.8And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? 1 Corinthians 14:7, 8 (NLT) If you choose Christ you will inevitably find yourself in conflict with the world. The Christian life we’ve chosen is by no means a tip-toe through the tulips way of living.
Have you ever had to make the hard choice of following Christ and it meant going against your family? If so, find comfort in knowing that your decision to stand up for Jesus will be rewarded. Although close friends and family deny the truth, we have confidence in Christ. 32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32, 33 (KJV) Not unlike many of your Christian comrades you at one time or another have had to make the decision to stay on the right path and do so in spite of what everyone else chose. Jesus makes the matter plain. 37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37, 38 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 324 Overcoming Spiritual Barrenness
18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:18, 19 (NIV)
Going through the motions each day you make a plea to do well and be protected. You say a few words as you rush about your day. Never really taking time to look inside for whatever God wanted to change. Hurried out the door you think tomorrow is when I’ll do things differently; tomorrow I’ll make that much-needed adjustment in my schedule. You insist, God understands and you’re right He knows all about the reasons why you’ve decided to go about your day this way. You’re just too busy, right? On the outside your leaves are green and things appear to be growing, but underneath the lush green foliage there isn’t any fruit.
What happened to the fruit that you were meant to bear? Did your life become so busy that you simply failed to stay connected? No one needs to tell you whether your life is fruitful or not. Consider your ways, your thoughts and your time. No one needs to help with this one; you know the truth. Take time now to examine your results. If you are surfing through life doing what looks right, but on the inside you’re spiritually dying then be honest with yourself, and face the hidden truth that your life isn’t bearing much fruit. Jesus was hungry and went over to check the fig tree for figs. It looked good from afar, but under closer examination it was clear that no fruit existed. Fruitlessness is a state that many Christian women easily fall into, but it’s completely avoidable.
Your life is meant to bear much fruit; good, healthy produce that supplies nutritional value to others. When you are in Christ your life produces fruit, and that fruit endures. Without Christ you run the risk of never producing anything of value. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NLT)
Barrenness creates an urgent need for God’s help. If you look at your life and realize things just aren’t what they should be, don’t make the common mistake of trying to fix it on your own. Ask God for help. He will guide you and give the strength to make the much-needed change. Approach His throne with boldness. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) All the answers you need to live a more balanced and productive life are found there. God wants you to have huge success; slow down long enough to ask Him for His help. Not just another quick and shallow, “Lord help me today,” but really seek to know His ways. Reach out to God and seek to live your life the specific way He desires. Tarry until you push beyond your flesh (what you want and how you feel) and experience the long-awaited breakthrough.
Allow God to cut back the extra foliage. Let him cut away the unfruitful things so that your life (and the body of Christ) will be more productive. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:2 (NLT) What a difference you’ll begin to experience as He prunes you and frees you from anything that slows your growth.
Organizing the Inside – Day 57 Take Root in the Word and Grow
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ~ John 1:1-3
The first words in the bible are “In the beginning God.”
While surely His works are too wonderful for us to understand, this much we know is true: God set the universe in motion and by His divine Word He formed its foundations. Colossians 1:17 Paul tells us, “He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” “He” is the very Word of God, who of course is Jesus Christ himself. John 1:14 makes it clear that the, “Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
How truly awesome is our God?
His greatness is too magnificent for us to comprehend. He transcends time, yet remains the same. He never grows old, yet His wisdom existed before the earth was made. He was there before the beginning began, and He will be there after the ending has ended. God is the same today, yesterday and forever!
How then can a woman simplify her life?
By seeking God with her whole heart and allowing His Word to live in her heart and mind. In this world of chaotic complexities, where confusion and clutter collide and where distractions are on every turn; being rooted and grounded in the Word is the only way to stay on course. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ~Matthew 24:35
There is no better place to build a foundation for your future, than to build it on the Word of God.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 