Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Truth
Organizing the Inside – Day 334 What Do You Know?
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Consider for a moment what this scripture tells us we know. We know that all things… I wonder, what is it that we truly know? To bring one’s mind and heart completely in agreement with God’s Word is to know. To know God’s Word is to establish a relationship with it. Reading the Word won’t automatically give you a relationship with it. However, meditating on the Word of God will intrinsically change what you know and completely free your heart from fear and doubt. By meditating on the Word you establish a knowing (or relationship) with the truth that defies human logic. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Psalm 119:97 (NIV) Through biblical meditation we can affect the course of our lives, because when we receive the engrafted Word of God in our hearts FAITH happens. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV) To stay strong and have peace in a world where everything that is wrong is considered right, and all that is right is considered wrong, we must make time to meditate. To survive in a foreign land there are some things that those of us who are in Christ must “know.”
Another similar post on meditation.
Organizing the Inside – Day 297 Shouldn’t We Just Ignore the Critics?
Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16 (NLT)
I’ve always been a firm believer of not listening to the critics. Then something I read gave me great pause and caused me to realize that all criticism is not bad (I just never liked it). If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. Proverbs 13:18 (NLT)
We call it constructive criticism and every once in a while a good step-on-my-toes-you-need-to-change piece of advice is just what I need to get my act together. The flesh doesn’t like it, not one bit. Accepting criticism is not always easy especially when it exposes something you’d just assume not to deal with. So how can you tell when criticism is constructive and not destructive? It will take a bit of discernment, but by applying these questions you should be able to tell if the criticism you received is helpful. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 (NLT)
Discerning which criticism is worth listening to:
- If you heed to this advice it will change your life in a positive way.
- (My personal favorite) God has already told you and you kind of put off fixing the problem.
- If you heed to this advice it will help you maximize your potential by challenging you to dig deeper and stretch yourself.
- At first you may feel offended, but when you take time to honestly weigh the advice you realize heeding will likely make things better.
- Regardless of how you feel about the source, you know this is something that will help bring better balance in your life.
- By heeding to the advice, those around you will be blessed and this change is definitely a means of increasing the use of your gifts or talents.
- This advice fits appropriately into the vision that God has put on your heart.
Accept the truth gracefully.
Sometimes criticism is a type of forewarning that something in your life needs to change. The Holy Spirit will show you more clearly which type of criticism someone is giving. Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NLT) Having tough skin is an essential element if you ever intend to grow. The criticism needed to help you become who God has called you to be won’t always be easy to accept. There are certain vitamins that I take daily to supplement the nutrition I receive from my diet. Some of them are huge (the fish oil) and really hard to swallow. Nevertheless, since I want to reap the benefit of those costly clear pills, I grab some water, say a prayer and fight back the fear of it getting stuck in my throat and swallow.
Weigh the matter.
The next time you receive constructive criticism; don’t be afraid to let your guard down long enough to consider the information. Should you conclude the criticism is negative or an attack on your character or positive outlook, simply drop it and move on. Criticism that is invalid and undeserving should be considered like a curse upon the innocent. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. Proverbs 26:2 (NLT) Don’t miss the opportunity to move closer to being the person God wants you to be, because advice came from an unlikely source. If God can use a donkey, He can certainly use Aunt Susie to get His point across. Weigh the matter, if it’s for you to receive then God will give you peace. Seize every opportunity to grow in your vision and the work you do for the kingdom of God. The change you need most may come by way of constructive criticism. If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside – Day 293 No More Dark Corners
33“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 34“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 35Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36If 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 11:33-36 (NLT)
Darkness hides the truth.
What should one do about those dark corners? What about certain secrets that lurk deep within? My heart is exposed and nothing is hidden from you, Oh God. Are there cobwebs building up in the corners of your heart? Are there places where no one ever goes?
God sometimes requires transparency.
Do you always know how God wants to use your life and your testimony? God can use both the good and bad, that’s for sure. Should you hide certain things until your victory is secured? Too many are pretending that troubles don’t exist. Many more are worried that their secret struggles which show a less than perfect life should never be shared. Whatever you’re going through is nothing new. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
Ready for the Master’s use.
First Jesus reminds us to make sure that the light we think we have is truly light. From there we are encouraged to let the truth that we see in God’s Word shine like a floodlight in every dark corner, realizing that perfection, although worth striving for, will never be obtained in this life. Not until mortality puts on immortality will any man be made perfect. Until then our responsibility remains, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV) The truth is our testimony matters. The accuser is defeated, and there are many who overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…Revelation 12:11a (NIV)
There is no doubt who wins in the end.
Perhaps it’s your struggle that will help your sister find the encouragement needed to move beyond her circumstances. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. 1 John 2:13 There is a purpose for everything we go through. Turn on the spiritual floodlight of God’s Word and allow Him to be glorified through your victory that surely has already been won.
Organizing the Inside – Day 289 Abide In Truth
24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. 26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:24-27 (NIV)
Understanding what truth is.
There is only one truth, the Word of God. Whether in written or in spoken form, the Word of God is truth. The same Word in human form is Jesus Christ. (John 1:14) Truth: that which corresponds to fact or reality. Truth is eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 (NIV) If it is true, it will never change. God is truth. “I am the LORD, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6a (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Understanding what truth isn’t.
Those things that change and are found to be unreliable are not true. The stock market, the economy, the lottery, this world’s systems and man’s systems are all false. The only thing that we can build our lives upon is the TRUTH. The only thing worthy of our trust, faith and loyalty is TRUTH. The Word of God is eternal and true. Man’s logic and reasoning may seem wise and perhaps some are helpful, but be careful about building upon anything other than that which is TRUE.
Establish a relationship with the truth.
When I am unwilling to accept the truth, in its entirety, then I am unwilling to have a deeper relationship with God. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 (KJV) Many people, even Christians waste countless years searching for the truth, all the while they continue to reject the very truth that will save them from destruction. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
Choose to live in TRUTH.
God wants His Word (truth) applied to every small corner, area, space of our hearts and lives. (Psalm 51:6) Each time you receive a message of truth from God, and you refuse to accept it, you are essentially refusing to accept God. Many want all the blessings and long life that the Word brings, but would rather pick and choose what to obey and what to reject. This sort of double minded person mustn’t believe that they will be blessed by God in what they choose to do, they are highly mistaken. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22 (NLT)
The truth makes us completely free.
Fear God and relinquish complete control (of even the smallest things) to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and you will not be deceived. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21 (NLT) The truth changes us; it doesn’t set us free. Being “set free” means you could be placed into bondage again. The truth makes us FREE. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 (KJV) The truth gives us freedom from bondage, no matter how great or small that bondage is. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (KJV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 283 Embrace the Truth, Even If It Hurts
2Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. 4He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. 5He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. 6He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest. 2 Chronicles 13:2-6 (NIV)
When you are trusting God, His Word is encouraging. Asa knew the Lord and had sought Him in the past. He entered into battle against the Ethiopians and because he’d turned to God for help first, God defeated the Ethiopians and gave Asa and his army complete victory. Asa took heart when the man of God brought a word from the Lord. He then became even more determined to rid the land of detestable idols. Asa established a system around the things of God. He was also open to receive the counsel of godly men; for a time he chose to honor God. When we surround ourselves with a support system of godly people who know how to pray and hear from God, we will be more productive and at peace. As a result of his willingness to obey God, Asa and the people of Judah experienced many years of peace. God looks for committed people who will do things His way. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (KJV)
When you aren’t trusting God, His Word (the truth) makes you angry. Asa made a huge error after trusting God for many years. He reasoned within himself and decided to form an alliance with an ungodly king. He took the riches from the temple to use as bargaining power to get what he wanted. He no longer went to God as his source. It is never a good idea to seek alliances with the ungodly. Sure there are ungodly people who may seem successful and by the world’s standards perhaps they are. Look at Asa, he knew the Lord and had experienced great success when he followed God’s ways and trusted Him. Once he began to reason within himself and go outside of God’s plan, the word from the Lord which exposed his sin made him very angry. (2 Chronicles 15:8 and 16:7) Many Christians make the same mistake by not putting God first; then they get angry when God sends the uncompromising message of truth and exposes their sin.
God uses His Word to discipline us.
God uses His Word and His people to send us the truth. When He disciplines us we must yield and not get angry. Joyful are those you discipline, LORD, those you teach with your instructions. Psalm 94:12 (NLT) His Word not only guides us (staff) it also disciplines us (rod), which brings comfort because we find confidence in knowing God is there with His Word. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
Always embrace the truth it’s there to help us grow. When God tells us the truth and exposes our mistakes we should be grateful instead of getting angry or rebelling. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. Deuteronomy 8:5 (NLT) Surely God sees the “big picture” and knows us better than we know ourselves. He also has our best interest at heart. We must develop a greater sensitivity to the things of God. Be quick to seek Him before making decisions and be humble enough to admit when we’ve messed up. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrews 3:15 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 