It is quite revealing to compare how much time, effort and money we spend on our outward appearance versus our heart (inward appearance). Think of how much is spent each day on preparing clothes, hair, skin, diet and physique. So much time, so much effort, so much money spent just to look good enough for those around us. How does it compare to the time and effort spent in preparing our hearts for God?
We CAN overcome sin by continually submitting our will to God's authority, by studying, memorizing and frequently contemplating God's Word, so that it can transform us by replacing our human desires with Godly desires. Then God's will and God's plan will consummate in us to produce righteousness to the Glory of God.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards… I am thanking You now.I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better… I am thanking You now.I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears… I am thanking You now.I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves… I am thanking You now.
Man has always measured success by material (financial) security and social standing and. So, the means to acquire these attributes have always been highly prized. God, however, measures success by spiritual security (salvation) and spiritual standing (righteousness), which are obtained not by human wisdom/knowledge but by faith and obedience.
Real wealth is not found in the accumulation of the things that men say are valuable. We become truly wealthy when God… declares us valuable to Him because He can use us in His Kingdom. Don't let the blessings become more important than the Blesser.
Jesus taught that if our eye, or the way we see things, is healthy, then our life can be filled with happiness. But if the way we see things, if our outlook or mindset is messed up, there is no end to how dark our life can be.
No matter how much we deny, distort or disguise the evidence of sin, we can never change the fact of sin… Only God can remove the stain and penalty of sin. The longer we hide from Him the longer we have to live with the cancer of sin eating away at our lives… Nobody forces us to sin and God does not put us in a situation where we must sin. We are NOT powerless. We CAN choose to resist the influence of others. We CAN rise above our circumstances.
As Jesus sent His disciples out into a world that would be hostile to them, that would imprison them and beat them and kill them, what they needed to succeed wasn't a new car, or perfect teeth or a retirement plan. What they needed to live successfully (as God defines it) was The Comforter.