Be Transformed, Seek, Strive

Once we accept Jesus Christ we are transformed, new, shaped and molded into His image. We leave our desires and temptations of this world no longer rule our lives. These distractions are still in our lives trying to disrupt our focus and our purpose, but they no longer are what we strive for. We strive to please, gain knowledge, and grow closer to our savior Jesus Christ.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing, and perfect will. " ~ Romans 12:2

So now seek the kingdom of Christ 1st and foremost, before and above all. When this is done you can be assured that Jesus will take care of the other parts of your life and supply you with what is needed. No longer store your heart with treasures of this earth for they are only temporal items, but seek and strive for the joy and greatness of the treasures of heaven. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:32-34)

Know that where your eyes are your heart will follow. When your eyes are focused on the kingdom and love of Christ your heart will be there also. But when your eyes see money, lust, material possessions, then your heart will be there as well. "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body is also full of that light. But when they are bad, your body is also full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." (Luke 11:34-35)

Remember to put to use what you learn at bible studies, in church, in your alone time with Christ. Let what you learn be put to use to spread the glory and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apply what you learn to everything you do, it is one of Satan's greatest joy's to see Christians learn from bible studies and church to only forget what they have learned once they leave.

Seek, Strive, and Be Transformed by God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

Community

I have put this verse to memorization and find that I often do not include all people into my community.

"Here there are no, Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncirumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all." - Colossians 3:11

This is speaking to what the community of Christ looks like. In the community of Christ there are no labels, there are no generalizations, there are no stereotypes. CHRIST IS ALL, regardless of race, or background, or beliefs. This is the type of community I am striving to live in, a community where the love of Christ prevails.

Persevere

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

-James 1:2-6

Trust in The Lord Jesus Christ at all times and in any situation. Trust in Christ (your faith) produces perseverance in difficult situations and circumstances. Trust that in asking Christ you will receive the answer, to whatever your question may be, but the answer will be in your best interest and not necessarily the answer you are searching for.

Peace of Heart

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 5:1 & 8:6)

Peace can be defined as the normal, non warring condition of a nation, group of nations or world. It can also be defined as an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations or groups to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting.

The root of war and the start of peace can be traced to an certain location, to the state of mutual harmony between people or groups in their relations. If there is a lack of mutual harmony there is war. If mutual harmony is free flowing then there is peace. Peace can even be defined more specifically as a state of tranquillity, serenity, and placidity of your heart. This is where peace or war is derived from; the heart. The peace Jesus brings is peace to your heart. The peace Jesus supplies puts an end to the war and disaster in your heart. The peace Jesus speaks of is the peace of heart. When our heart is not at peace we cannot see clearly, we view others as objects with no feelings or emotions. When our heart is at war we only accept our own viewpoint and deny others the chance to speak. When at war we view others as irrelevant, but when we are at peace others are people with hopes, needs, cares, and fears all as real as my own.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Peace and war both start at the heart of a person. Today we see relationships between America and the Middle East, Israel and Palestine, they both consist of war, war that kills people that takes lives. They also consist of the people fighting the war within their own hearts. Their war at heart causes them to view their enemies as objects as irrelevant which leads them to more easily kill another human being. We are called to peace. We are to let Christ's peace rule in our hearts. So if a heart at war only causes disaster and pain, why do we not seek peace and love in Jesus Christ? The relationship between nations and groups of people no matter what religion or background, the relationship was made to be peaceful. Our hearts were made for peace.

Peace or War?

Is you heart at peace?

Is your heart at war?

War clouds your vision

Peace makes your vision clear

Seek peace and pursue (Psalm 34:14)

A heart at war leaves you no clue

But to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6)

Now the war at heart will cease

Now the love will increase

No more disturbance of peace

The pain will diminish

The sorrow will vanish

Your faith will now flourish

Your heart will be nourished

Is your heart at war?

Is your heart at peace?