Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Sin
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 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 255 Tolerating Sin vs. Tolerating the Sinner
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 (NLT)
Should the church tolerate sin?
I believe “Tolerance” has been misinterpreted and many will have to answer for that. The love of God is not shown by our willingness to agree with sin, nor does God’s love require that we acknowledge sin as a perfectly acceptable lifestyle. The love of God causes us to denounce sin, but love the sinner. The world has done an excellent job at twisting things around. The lies of the enemy have been very creative by making what’s right, seem wrong and what’s wrong, seem right. We must not be deceived. We should make no provisions for sin, your own or anyone else’s. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14 (KJV) God did not put some stamp of approval on sin when He tolerated us in our sinfulness instead of destroying us. God’s tolerance of us gave us time to repent. Even still sin remained sin and righteousness did not change. Indeed we ought to give the ungodly a chance to repent, but their repentance is not up to us. Their repentance is between them and God. If we had received what we deserved, then there would have been no need for Christ to die. We each have benefited from the unimaginable patience and love of God toward us, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Let us be clear about difference between the love of God and the act of condoning sin.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) As Christians who represent and serve a holy God, we must be careful not to allow our views of right and wrong to be dictated by anything other than the Word of God and the divine leadership of His Holy Spirit, both of which are always in agreement with one another. It’s important to take a stand, but caution to the one who is found standing on the wrong side of truth.
Related articles
- True repentance (thebereanway.wordpress.com)
- Organizing the Inside – Day 230 God’s Gift Of Acceptance (lizmason.wordpress.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 193 Ignoring Clutter Won’t Make It Go Away
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 1 John 5:18 (NLT)
God’s light helps us get organized and clear out spiritual clutter.
As children of God we must be true to ourselves. No one can have Christ and remain in darkness. Ignoring sin will not make it go away. Jesus makes the reality of this potential hazard apparent when He warns us that we should, “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.” Luke 11:35 (NLT) This doesn’t mean as Christians we don’t make mistakes; what is does mean is this: 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)
While these are elementary principles in Christian living, is it not true that many have confused the grace and patience of God with a self-proclaimed license to sin? We are no longer under the law; this is true. We don’t follow the letter of the law; we follow the law which is written in our hearts. If we obey one law, the rest are fulfilled. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT) The law has simply exposed the truth about sin and brings about a clear awareness of wrong. It is however the light, of God which is Jesus Christ Himself that enables us to let the floodlight shine in; avoiding completely the hidden dangers of secret sin.
15Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:15, 16 (NLT)
Is there one tiny closet that still has a bit of clutter?
Is there leftover clutter from a bad relationship or a really bad decision? Do you have a junk drawer of wrong that God wants you to allow Him to clean up and shine light upon? Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 (NLT) Jesus gave His life for us to have complete freedom from desires and selfish ambitions that can control our lives. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:36 (NLT) It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, which renders sin void; and gives us total victory through faith in Him. Let the love and light of God shine within; and may your whole life be radiant and glorify God!
Organizing the Inside – Day 177 Free to Be Completely Honest
1Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
~Psalm 32:1, 2
Is it possible to live a life free of guilt? We all have made mistakes, poor choices and have even chosen to commit sin. Who can actually be found blameless?
You and I can because of Christ’s finished work at Calvary. Knowing God’s forgiveness and experiencing the cleansing power of His blood is not a license to sin. On the contrary, knowing God and His love for us in spite of our past mistakes and sins gives us liberty and allows us to serve Him freely. David said, Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5
We must leave the cluttered past behind
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13
No matter what has happened in the past we are free from the guilt and shame of yesterday’s choices. The child of God who loves God does not just keep on sinning. “If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 God wouldn’t ask us to do something that was not possible. He has given us victory over sin, therefore, We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.1 John 5:18
When God is moving you forward
The enemy will try to bring up your past. He will attempt to remind you of anything that may cause you to want to give up. The devil wants you to deny God’s power and be afraid of failing. (read Luke 22:31, 32) We however have an advocate, My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.1 John 2:1 Jesus is able to keep us from falling or failing. (read Jude 1:24)
We do have the power to live our lives in complete honesty.
It is God who enables us to walk blamelessly. We can live a life that glorifies God. We must allow His Word to purify our hearts, stop looking back and maintain a simple lifestyle that is uncomplicated by the cares of this world. The victory is yours, Jesus paid the price; now it’s up to you to live in grace and glorify God.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 