Isn’t it AWESOME that we live IN this world, but are not OF this world?
Philippians 3:19-20a
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.
We are aliens here.
Did you see that? Our citizenship is in heaven!
Have you ever thought about how GOD’S WAYS are so foreign to the ways of this world?
Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Have you ever heard the worship song “Servant of All” by the IHOP worship leader Misty Edwards? Some of the lyrics are:
I’m in love with a King
who became a slave
And I’m love with a God
who is humble
And you gotta go down
if you wanna go up
And you’ve got to go lower
if you want to go higher and higher
And you’ve got to hide and do it in secret
if you wanna be seen by God
Cos’ it’s the inside, outside, upside down kingdom
where you lose to gain and you die to live
Those lyrics were taken from scripture.
Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first and the first will be last.
To die to our own desires is to LIVE.
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
The world says we must push and climb our way to the top. God desires us to humble ourselves so that HE can lift us up.
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6 verses 4 & 18 also show that we should pray and fast in “secret” so that God will reward us. I love that God sees what we do in secret! Maybe we will never receive a reward here on earth for the things we do for others, but God sees and God rewards.
What is our reaction when someone hurts us? We want to defend ourselves. The world would say to strike back if someone hurts us. However, Jesus told us:
Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
The examples could go on and on!
We can be 80 years old, yet experience NEWNESS of life!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
We use strange terms like “born again” that even confused Nicodemus in John chapter 3.
I guess I should bring this to a close, but we really are members of an inside out, upside down kingdom! Did you realize it before now?
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Amplified Version)
Think about it — we eat the fruit of our lips, we speak things that are not as if they were so, we believe more in the things NOT SEEN that what we see in the natural!
We are a peculiar people! Hallelujah!
(Photo: My friend Holly enjoying some carpet time during prayer time at our church.)
Beth: Great post! I think sometimes we look at being different too much as a struggle and not enough as a joy and a gift! We ARE different and we should celebrate that! We don’t have to struggle and fight as much as those that don’t know Christ, although we have different things that bring pain. Those that DON’T know Christ bring a sadness to our hearts that the world will never understand. But even in our sadness, we still have an overwhelming JOY we can claim!
Thanks for still visiting me. It has been a hectic and exciting time. I am now a SAHM! I am hoping that this will open the door back to blogging. I have a new offering up finally! Thanks so much for sticking with me through this season!
Shannon
Beth, where is your follow me button?
Nevermind, it’s showing up now.
MUITO BOM! Eu acredito que Deus criou o homem e deixou o manual de instrução, a “BÍBLIA SAGRADA!” A bíblia é a divina revelação da palavra de Deus e não produtos enlatados, eu costumo dizer que: “As pessoas precisam parar de comer tudo o que dão. E começar a questionar! ” Alguém escuta alguma coisa de alguém, e saem falando, sem questionar, sem saber se é verdade ou não. As pessoas precisam se perguntar! Será que a minha crença esta de acordo com a lei de Deus? Será que a religião que eu nasci sempre me falou a verdade? Quando uma pessoa morre pra onde ela vai? Ela volta? A bíblia apóia o homossexualismo? Quem não herdara o reino de Deus? O que devo saber sobre idolatria, imagens e escultura? O que devo saber sobre o único batismo? Será que tem uma seqüência para salvação? A quem eu devo me confessar, quem pode me perdoar? Religião salva alguém? Essas e outras perguntas e respostas em:
http://www.aunicaverdadeemsuapropriabiblia.blogspot.com
Você pode dizer, eu já sou salvo amém! Vamos atrás de quem não esta, “Se você quer se dar bem com o mundo seja hipócrita, mas se você quer se dar bem com Deu seja verdadeiro!” divulgue este site, porque: “Eis que vêm dias, diz o Senhor Jeová, em que enviarei fome sobre a terra, não fome de pão, nem sede de água, mas de ouvir as palavras do Senhor. E irão vagabundos de um mar até outro mar, e do norte até ao oriente; correrão por toda parte, buscando a palavra do Senhor, e não a acharão.” ( Amós cap 8 ver 11 e 12 )Fale para outras pessoas, por que “O Senhor não retarda a sua promessa, ainda que alguns têm por tardia: mas é longânimo para convosco, não querendo que alguns se percam, senão que todos venham a arrepender-se.” (II Pedro cap. 3 ver 8) e “Que quer que todos os homens se salvem, e venham ao conhecimento da verdade. Porque há um só Deus, e um só Mediador entre Deus e os homens, Jesus Cristo o homem. (I A Timóteo cap 2 ver 5 e 6)
Seja sua bíblia, católica ou evangélica, aqui você vai tirar suas duvidas.
http://www.aunicaverdadeemsuapropriabiblia.blogspot.com
E conhecereis a verdade, e a verdade vos libertara (João cap 8 ver 32) Se você tiver coragem de perguntar, a bíblia terá coragem de responder!
Thanks for the message. I went to a translator online so I could read it. Bless you!
The comment in another language is Portuguese. I went online and had it translated. I hope it is correct (Just so everyone will know): VERY GOOD! I believe that God created man and left the manual of instruction, the “BIBLE SACRED.” The bible and divine revelation of the word of God and not canned products, i usually say that: “people need to quit eating everything that they do. AND to begin to question! ” Someone listening something with someone, and leave speaking, without questioning, without knowing if it is true or not.
LOVING your new site, Beth!