SAVED SOULS WITH SECULAR MINDS ?

For the past several months, I have been participating in a Biblical Leadership study presented by The Family Life Institute and Dennis Peacocke. The course focuses on Business and Marketplace Ministry, but the information also goes deep into the world we live in, and how we choose to view and live our lives as people on the incredible earth that God created for us and gave us dominion over. The topics and discussion are very wide and very deep, but one thing that has become clear to me is a need to have a much deeper understanding of just Who God Is, and How HIs Will should guide our very lives in every single way ! Our lives and especially how we live them are of utmost importance to God. His Kingdom is here on earth right now; it is not a distant future that we are simply waiting around to join some day. Christ told His Disciples that the Kingdom was indeed among them ! HE IS THE KINGDOM, and WE are members of His Kingdom when We Abide In Him and He In Us. WE ABIDE IN HIM ! That can mean a variety of things according to many people, but I look at it in the following way. HE IS MY LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING. HE GUIDES ME IN EVERY WAY. HIS WILL IS SUPREME IN MY LIFE AND IT GIVES ME MY IDENTITY, PATH, AND PURPOSE. HIS TEACHING AND WORD IS MY PLUMB LINE, AND I AM OBEDIENT TO HOW IT DIRECTS ME. MY LOVE AND FAITH RESTS IN HIM, AND I KNOW I CAN TRUST IN HIM. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME. I am not only saved and reborn as a New Creation, but I am also convicted to have a God Centric view of the world and life. I am to go forth and share these truths in every area of my life, and help people to Seek God and His Kingdom. Here Is The Big Question that we as Christians must face !!! ARE WE ABIDING IN CHRIST ? ARE WE FOCUSED ON HIM AND HIS WILL FOR US ? ARE WE LIVING A LIFE IN HIM; SHINING HIS LIGHT AND TRUTH; SEEKING HIS WILL; or are we simply saved souls living in a Secular Mindset ?

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORRMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

YOU KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. Isaiah 26:3

FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS HONORABLE, WHATEVER IS JUST, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS COMMENDABLE, IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS. Philippians 4:8

FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE. BECAUSE THE CARNAL MIND IS EMNITY AGAINST GOD: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE. Romans 8:6-8

WHAT OH MAN OR WOMAN, IS YOUR MINDSET ? If you are a Christian, do you seek truth from God in scripture and prayer, or are you caught up in what the world or perhaps what even false biblical rhetoric and theology have to tell you ? There are many thoughts and opinions out there. Many are evil, but many are also based on good intentions with misunderstood meaning or incorrect targeting and aim. A MINDSET THAT MISSES THE MARK THAT GOD DESIRES AND ALSO REQUIRES ! The secular rhetoric puts an emphasis on the wisdom of man, and generally seeks a new and progressive direction. Very seldom are things of old and Deeply Rooted Foundations Of Truth deemed worthy or desirable. The secular world is always looking for power and control, while pushing “Religion” into the space of ‘spirituality’, ‘private morality’, heaven, and theological worship; while THEY RULE EVERYTHING ELSE ! Earth, minds, laws, regulations, science, speech, bodies, sexuality, economics.belong to THEM. Be a good little church or pastor and remember to preach love and tolerance. Judge Not ! Remember, Tolerance and Love are God’s supreme virtues. Religious conviction becomes the supreme sin, and demonize anyone who would adhere to and follow God’s Standards themselves. A “good citizen” is one who accepts the morality of the Lowest Common Denominator Excellence and morality die at the hand of Tolerance. If that seems harsh, just take a look around at the direction things have been headed for a long, long time. BEING A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IS ABOUT WAY MORE THAN SIMPLE SALVATION ! It is about an Intimate Relationship with GOD HIMSELF. It is about living a life that mirrors GOD’S CHARACTER. It is about living a life that is OBEDIENT TO GOD”S WILL AND COMMANDS. It doesn’t matter how many times you are in church; how many rules and traditions you follow; how much you give or serve. All these practices can be good things, but without a God Centered Heart and Mind, YOU ARE NOT COMPLETE. God Requires More Of Us.

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, REVIVING THE SOUL; THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD IS SURE, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE; THE PRECEPTS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT, REJOICING THE HEART; THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD ARE PURE, ENLIGHTENING THE EYES; THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS CLEAN, ENDURING FOREVER; THE RULES OF THE LORD ARE TRUE, AND RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER. Psalm 19:7-9

FOR FROM HIS FULNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED GRACE UPON GRACE. FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN THROUGH MOSES; GRACE AND TRUTH COME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. John 1: 16-17

MANKIND, HE HAS TOLD EACH OF YOU WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IT IS THAT THE LORD REQUIRES OF YOU: TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE FAITHFULNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD. Micah 6:8

When I look at America today, it is clear that secular thought is striving to present itself front and center. In fact, most of the nations of the world are caught up in this same place. Many of the institutions, systems, and practices come from Godly design…but they are being changed and challenged daily. God sees us and He hears us. He sees our Hearts and Minds….and also OUR ACTIONS. God desires us to WORK and ENHANCE HIS CREATION ! Salvation is the DOORWAY TO HIS KINGDOM. What you are thinking and doing NOW will directly move with you into Eternity. Will you live in a secular mindset, seeking the world and its pleasures, tolerating sin and celebrating “SELF” ? OR, will you seek God and His ways to live and guide your life. SAVED AND SECULAR…or SAVED AND ABIDING ? It is a very important choice…I pray that God Will Guide Our Way ! BE WITH GOD ALWAYS, HEART AND MIND/JAA

HIS MASTER SAID TO HIM, ‘WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A LITTLE, I WILL SET YOU OVER MUCH. ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER. Matthew 25;21

PEACE/SHALOM