Scriptural Foundation:
1 Peter 2:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Ephesians 6:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Romans 12:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Reflection:
Years ago, I determined in my soul to be in a constant state of praise. That was an ambitious goal and one that seemed impossible with my current mindset. At the time, I desperately needed a change in my life and the Lord met me in my time of need. The more I began to meditate on what Jesus did, the more I became emboldened to see beyond my temporal state of mind.
When I [John] saw Him [Jesus], I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. – Revelation 1:17-18
The battle has been won in the Spirit, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Satan’s “kingdom” has been reduced to rubble. In every generation since that victory and in every season all there is left to do as Believers is to seek out the lost and share with them the Good News. In a world where things move at the speed of light and depression is wide spread, the pace of life causes one to become desensitized to the struggles of another. The devil has been given his eviction notice but is still trying to convince us that this world is not worth inhabiting in the Spirit and is beyond saving. Praise God that we are not of this world!
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. – Philippians 3:20
Spiritually speaking, planet earth is not our home. When we were born again our naturalization was changed. It is up to us to keep our internal fire lit in faith, hope, and love. Do you know how hard that is in our own strength? It is impossible, but again praise God that impossibilities are the language of heaven.
Getting back to my constant state of praise goal. It didn’t happen overnight. I purposely worshiped every chance I got, listened to messages, and read books that would encourage me in my faith. The funny thing was, I never noticed how far I had come until more and more strangers noticed and told me how nice it was to hear someone singing while going about their day-to-day.
One interaction stands out in my mind and made an impact on my heart. It was when my vet ran out of the dietary food that we give our dog, so I had to go to a different vet to pick it up. It was beautiful day, I had my windows down and one of my favorite songs was playing on the radio. I parked and went into the store and proceeded to find the veterinary counter. While the lady went in the back to get the food, this man walked up to me and ask if I was the same lady that was singing in the parking lot! A little embarrassed, I said yes. The man was overjoyed and wanted to share how it pleased him to hear someone go about their life singing to themselves. Relieved I said thanks. Not knowing how much it was second nature to me, as I was walking away, I again began singing to myself again…the same gentlemen yell from behind, “yeah man, you’re awesome!”
Another time, I was at the grocery store, again singing to myself and the grocery clerk asked me what song I was singing. Yet another time, I was whistling down the hallway and a co-worker called me out on it – “you must be having a good day.” And the list goes on and on. This change in my countenance didn’t come automatically but was a daily commitment that I made unto the Lord. I am determined to be a vessel that the Lord could use for that day to reach just one more person for the Kingdom.
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. – Mathew 18:12-14
Saints, the truth is we are all on a search and rescue mission! The devil has a limited time left in this dark and chaotic world. It is up to us, in our words and actions to search out opportunities to rescue just one more soul. If someone has breath, they have an opportunity to accept Christ in their hearts and change the destination of their eternity. Determine in your spirit today to keep your light shining like a light on a hill. Be vigilant…the recovery mission is still in progress!
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Are you guarding your ears and your eye gates?
- What music do you listen to on a regular basis? Is it edifying our spirit or pleasing your flesh?
- Are you listening to messages outside church on Sunday? What nuggets are you applying to your sanctification walk?
- Outside of your daily devotionals, what books are you reading to edify your spirit?
- Who are the people you are praying for daily to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord?
Beloved, remember…
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9