Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Hope
Organizing the Inside – Day 325 You’re Just Not Like Most People
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
The term “like most people” is too often used within the Christian community. The fact is: we are not like most people. We must be ready to accept the appointed responsibility of being a royal priesthood. God wants you and me to be different.
(2 Corinthians 6:17) We have been called out, set aside and consecrated unto God for His good pleasure. We therefore ought to refrain from comparing our lifestyle and choices to this world’s standards of right and wrong. The things that the world finds perfectly acceptable and permissible we ought to find offensive. We don’t rely on the systems of this world like some; our source and hope is Christ. Strange and peculiar, particularly odd at times, the world may not understand how we think and react, especially if we think and react like God’s chosen people.
We bring hope and light to a lost and dying generation. “You are the salt of the earth… Matthew 5:13a (NLT) We are different; but not just for the sake of being different, but because we hold up God’s standard of righteousness as warriors in His great army. Therefore let us never again revert to comparing ourselves to the world. Stay away from being like most people; most people are on the wrong road. …For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13b-14 (NIV) Let’s take a stand for what is right and trust God to honor and reward those choices. Having been born again we are no longer of this world. We are strangers in a foreign land, but the Word and hope of God is our song. Certainly we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We do not love the world nor cling to its systems to prosper and find our way. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the light.” John 14:6 (NLT ) Because He has made Himself known to us, we know the way. He said, “…And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:4 (NLT)
14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:14-16 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 245 Patiently You Wait By The Shore
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NIV)
You’ve done all that you know to do.
Your obedience has been fulfilled, at least as far as you can tell. For weeks, or months, or perhaps even for years now you’ve pressed in and obeyed God. Whether in time or money or prayer or hope, you’ve invested greatly in the kingdom. So your bread was cast many days ago and now your hope is starting to fade. You lay awake at night and begin to wonder why. You’re now asking God all the hard questions like you’ve never asked before. You’re determined to find the right answers that will unlock each and every door. Obedience has left you standing there on the shore, waiting, simply waiting. When will your bread return to you? The words, “Father, Father why have you abandoned me?” are the only words that seem to come out.
God hears your prayers and He sees your work.
There comes a time when you must apply the Word where it hurts. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Hebrews 6:10 (NLT) You must not quit! Don’t even consider giving up. God’s promises are true; I know I’ve seen the works of His hands. God specializes in providing hope to the hopeless. He is fully able to do that which seems impossible. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4 (KJV) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people.” Revelation 2:2 (NLT) “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things… Revelation 2:19 (NLT)
Stay where God has called you.
Do not move, not unless the Holy Spirit directs you to. Remember this, For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Romans 11:29 (NLT) God has not abandoned you. No matter what your situation looks like, stand firm. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
Let God know where you stand.
Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O LORD our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us. Jeremiah 14:22 (NLT)
It’s true, right before dawn is when the sky is darkest. Don’t give up on your dream. Look how far you have come. Remember the promises of God. He cannot lie. Finally my dear sisters in Christ, believe the Word. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) Keep praying and never give up hope.
Nothing I have shared is a hidden mystery, God always keeps His promise. If you’ve seen the promises of God fulfilled, share a word of encouragement. Many of our sisters are holding on and patiently waiting for an answer from the Lord. Have you been through a storm? Have you waited against all odds? Perhaps you’ve seen God’s salvation after years of praying for a loved one. Post a quick comment and encourage someone today.
Organizing the Inside – Day 175 Look… I Can See Dawn!
2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Psalm 72:2-12
You may be going through a hard time right now. You may have looked at the wicked and wondered how they laughed; yet even in your faithfulness, tears fill your pillow late into the night. You may be thinking at times it seems that God has abandoned you. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7
Know that God loves you and even in the midst of your hard times, He is there to help you. His hand of mercy and compassion is there to strengthen you in your weakness. ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 You won’t always know this pain and discomfort. You may be deeply acquainted with grief, but the time is soon coming that God is going to restore you. …but I will have compassion on you with everlasting kindness,” says the LORD your defender. Isaiah 54:8 As sure as the rain falls to the earth and waters the dry ground which brings forth grass and flowers; we know that God has heard your cry and shall answer your prayers. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. 2 Samuel 22:7
…in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5b, c
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 