-----------------------------------------------------------------------DAY 22
Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.
Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)
Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?
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DJ "J to the P" taking requests =)
Here is the video. The words are awesome. It makes you think...
Brandon Heath: "Give Me Your Eyes"
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This "becoming like Jesus" is a big task and can seem like a huge burden if my perspective is not in the right place. It is refreshing to read this portion: "Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn't want to destroy it. Christlikeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality." pg. 173
ReplyDeleteI just never looked at it this way... it's refreshing to me.
This portion of the book really caught my attention. Our society has fallen into this trap. We call it New Age, but in reality it's been going on since the old testament, the beginning of human-kind: "Let me be absolutely clear: You will never become God, or even a god. That prideful lie is Satan's oldest temptation. Satan promised Adam and Eve that if they followed his advice, "ye shall be as gods." Many religions and New Age philosophies still promote this old lie that we are divine or can become gods.
This desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. But as creatures, we will never be the Creator."
As stated in Day 1, Only the Creator can reveal how to fix our problems, not us. Satan thought he was as powerful as God, arguably more powerful than God. Look what happened to him. Satan lost and was cast out of Heaven. He is a loser and he is trying to bring us down with him.
I need the Spirit's power to help me with the the fruits of the Spirit, specifically; love, gentleness and self-control.
Sorry for the long post. I guess I had a lot to say(type).
I agree with Jeff that I liked the description of becoming Christlike not being a mindless clone. I have had that fear in my past- I also feel that way sometimes when I'm around a group of Christians talking in "Christianese". I can sometimes feel like they're a bunch of robots all saying the same cliche phrases and no one being authentic- that's why I really enjoyed the chapter that mentioned finding new words in speaking and praying. I enjoy people's uniqueness and I enjoy getting to know real people. I think sometimes non believers can hear christians speaking "their language" and get turned off or even feel it's cultish- I did at one point. I'm glad to know God wants me to be "me" always- just a better version of me.
ReplyDeleteI was also happy to read about us as people being a lifelong work in progress- that's how I look at myself. Not to give myself a reason to slack in maturity- but sense to know that I take a while to change and sometimes even longer to stick to it.
I need to remember that others WILL let me down- Jeff can tell you that I can be a woman of high expectations and blinders on when I feel like it. Accepting everyone is imperfect is harder for me than it should be- I guess I just go into church with this wierd expectation that people will or should be a certain way. It's something I'm working on so that when problems spring up I won't be so devastated or shocked. It's also unfair to hold others to high expectations when everyone screws up and fails at some point.
I also need the confidence to show that I can love everyone- whether my friends like so-and-so or not, it doesn't mean I can't like so-and-so and show them love. I don't need to let others drag me down into their insecurities- I can still love all and need to remember that.
This was a heavy chapter with a lot of good insights. The thing that really hit me most though, due to my current situation was when Rick said "God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but nt your career". I love when I read something, or hear something, like in a church service, and you feel like the words are from God speaking directly to you. It's been a struggle emotionally and dragging to my self confidence since I have been out of work, but "God is much more interested in what you are than what you do" It is important during these times to try to see myself how God sees me, not how the world sees me. That is one of my biggest struggles and something that I need to continue to work on.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late on the post! We did read it yesterday, I just got busy again, grrr...
ReplyDeleteI liked the analogy of a parent being happy when people see their likeness in their children. In the same way, God smiles when others see us being like Him. Jess liked the word Christlikeness, and I'd have to agree it's a fun word :)
I've been praying for it for a while and still working on it, but I need to be more patient with people in general. Also, I grew up being picked on and teased quite a bit, so I developed very independently with an attitude that I didn't need anyone or have to care about anyone else. So I need the Spirit to help me and give me an attitude and heart of love for people.
If you guys get a chance, check out Brandon Heath's song Give Me Your Eyes (probably on YouTube). This chapter kinda reminded me of that song, asking for God's eyes and heart as we strive to be more like Christ.
Dude, great song! Where'd you hear about it??? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jazzy J!