Philippians 1:6, “…He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ."
I read this verse and found myself thinking about the past several years and the spirits of oppression, depression, anxiety and darkness that have consumed so many. The downtrodden attitudes, the negative, bitter and hateful speech and even the harmful actions towards self and others that if not kept at bay can be contagious. I know I have mentioned it several times, but God created each one of us with a purpose, a reason to be on this earth, at the time we are here and in the environment we were born in to. I say this and you may think it is overstated, however even Paul had a desire to leave this earth and transition to heaven, leaving the trials, tribulations and sorrows of this world behind. Philippians 1:23 tells us, “I am in a difficult position between the two, having a desire to depart and to
be with the Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.” Isn’t it interesting how he framed his confidence in the Hope of Salvation through Jesus Christ in the phrase, “more needful for your sake.”
With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and the many requirements we can find ourselves immersed in, it can become easy to forget the purpose, the reason for each of us to be on this earth. If not mindful and dedicated to God and His calling for our lives, at the end of each day we can find our time has been filled with earthly routines and/or tasks and we have not expended any effort toward our Kingdom calling. As the body of Christ, it is important we keep in mind God’s purpose for our existence on this earth and that is to be of service to fellow saints while living the difference for those that have yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
With the New Year upon us, I have taken the opportunity to reflect over the past several years. While serving the Lord through this blog, the publication of my second book and routine text messages, I still found myself focused on daily tasks and spending more time with the non-essentials rather than the Lord and His plan for my life. The grind of this world has been effective in causing me to relax my focus upon Christ and our calling to minister to those around us. Not only are we called to minister to those physically around us, but think about the opportunity we have been given to minister to those within our social media presence, spiritual realm through prayer or outreach through some other mechanism of connectivity. This is not only family and friends, but those around you at work, in the store, in the line for fuel for your vehicle or someone you pass on the street. Ministry is a choice to be a difference, a choice to be a light in this dark world (Matthew 5:14).
As outlined in Ephesians, we are here to build up and equip fellow saints for the work of service within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Our service to others does not stop with fellow saints, yes, we are here to support the body of believers, but we are also called to be an example of hope through the day to day renewing of our spirits (2 Corinthians 4:16) and the heavenly transformation of our minds (Romans 12:2) in our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our calling is to be an example of Christ within every interaction, every engagement and every conversation we are awarded throughout our days (2 Corinthians 5:20). I have to stop and be honest as I reflect over the past couple of years, this has not been an area of utmost success for me. The daily stresses, focus upon day to day circumstances and overall state of our nation and world has tended to draw my attention away from my heavenly calling and the fact that what we are experiencing has already been predicted within the Bible. That is the message for today, to stop and realign our attention and efforts to our calling through Christ.
To be the difference and have those around you want to be around you, it does require you remain in a chosen state of “hope” no matter the circumstances you may find yourself in. I mention chosen because “hope” is an inward out state of emotion and is not based upon the events occurring around you. Our ability to be filled with hope is based upon our decision to remain focused upon Christ, while living in His Peace through the authority granted us in His name. I would encourage you to be mindful and not allow the situations we find ourselves in dictate our spiritual relevance within that circumstance. This world would have each of us believe who we are and what we can be is derived upon our life situations or circumstances. This perspective is not based upon God's truth as outlined within the Bible. God created you to be an overcomer, the head and not the tail and a spiritually led individual with the perspective of opportunity, not defeat.
Choosing to remain in a perspective of opportunity is based upon our choice, our ability to remain in a state of hope no matter how we feel or what may be occurring around us. Despite what some may infer, what you feel is not who you are and you should certainly not act, respond or react based on feelings or what comes to mind. The culture we live in would have you believe if you feel sad then you must be sad, if you feel depressed than you must be depressed or if you feel angry then you must be angry. You are who God says you are. Feelings are a conscious fleshly reaction to the moment and we should not be driven by what we feel but rather base our lives upon Biblical truths and instruction.
I am not saying you will not have feelings or that feelings will not rise up within each of us. Per an article within Psychology Today, “The Important Difference between Emotions and Feelings”, we read that feelings are generated through mental thoughts. This is important to understand as God always provides a way and in His Word He has already addressed this area of influence. Within Ephesians 6:17 it states, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Our protection against reacting negatively to feelings that are based upon thoughts is the renewing of our minds through the Word of God and reading the Word of God out loud that our faith (Romans 10:17) may be elevated above any physical feelings. We will have feelings, but by living in God’s Word we are given the discernment to act appropriately when feelings arise. What I mean by that is to be aware and through the power of the Holy Spirit in control of your feelings that you do not sin or act in a way that is regretful. Paul states what is best in regard to anger when he gives instruction in Ephesians 4:26-27,” Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give place to the devil.” The devil is looking for any opening that negativity, sin, depression, oppression and a host of other worldly influences may drive your response or actions and open the door for worldly influence to hinder a believer from being the person God called them to be.
Knowing that the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12) lie in wait to influence who we are should strongly encourage each of us to grow closer to God through regular prayer, the study of His Word and the attendance of a Bible based church that our spirits may be strengthened and renewed each day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Only through the renewing of our spirits can we stand on the revelation of God’s Word and in His hope be the difference He has called us to be. The overcomer, the change agent, the light, the revelation and the one who brings joy to every circumstance and ministers within each opportunity. Ministry is the opportunity to bring the wonder of Jesus Christ to everyone around us as we remain focused on the magnificent Truth of God’s Word and the enlightenment of His presence through the Holy Spirit within us.
I want to close with one last verse that we should all live by, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” May your days be filled with hope, your heart with peace and your mind with clarity! Shalom!!
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