Lord, take my life, I lay it down, My hope is built on solid ground;
All that is me, I surrender for the Glory of Your Great Name!
Focus of the Month: “A Beautiful Reflection”
For the past eight weeks we have focused on the transformation in our life when we choose to fully surrender to Jesus. We’ve wrestled through scripture, so that we may see and learn from God and not our own understanding. For some of us, nothing has changed…but for those of us who have chosen to give up our old life to receive a new life with Jesus as our Savior, everything has changed.
Becoming a new creation can leave us feeling vulnerable. We will receive support, as well as criticism, as we reflect His ways, His teachings, and His commands to the world around us. It can feel as if we are struggling to keep our head above water while the tidal wave of other’s opinions tries to overcome us. We are hit with judgment from unbelievers when we succeed in reflecting Christ.
Yet, the desire to know Him and tell others about Him continues to blaze within us. Even fellow believers may judge us when we fail in our efforts to live out our faith. We are tempted to give up, to give in to worldly views, thoughts and actions. But if we can take all we’ve learned and stand firm on the solid ground in Christ Jesus, we will reap a harvest for His sake!
You see, as we examine ourselves, confess and turn away from our sins, deny the desires of our flesh, take our thoughts captive, work for the Lord and not for man, serve humbly and wholeheartedly, believe the promises and power of Jesus and know that victory is ours over the enemy who lives in this world…Our faith is strengthened, our reflection of Jesus is stronger and our love for others will deepen. That, my sisters, is a beautiful reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother — the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (Luke 11: 27-28 NLT)
Even more blessed.
We must hear the word of God AND put it into practice. James wrote, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (James 1:22 NLT)
If we say we love and follow Jesus, but we reflect nothing of Jesus, we must ask—are we fooling ourselves?
Even if we are, we will never fool God. A beautiful reflection of HIM, comes from knowing Him, seeking Him, and surrendering our old life to Him.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NLT)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Luke 11:27-28; Romans 12:2; James 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32; Galatians 2:20
