Grace Built This Creations: November 2015

There are a lot of people in the world that are hurting because they are looking for love in the wrong places. They don’t recognize that their worth isn’t found in social status, significant others, money, family or friends. I’m going to be a tad transparent for just a few moments. I used to be like this. When I was younger, I would look for validation in other people. I was constantly searching for something to fill this void inside of me that could not be found on this earth. Even today, I look at the social media platform, and I think about how many “likes” I may get to things I post, compared to the “likes” of others who either make inspirational posts or post secular stuff. Sometimes I become discouraged, because I still battle with needing the approval of people. But God dropped a little nugget in my spirit that I am going to share with you. He said that everything you do, do it for applause in Heaven, not for applause from man. If that didn’t set me free, then I don’t know what would. I want to receive a standing ovation when I see the Lord, I don’t want Him to tell me that by trying to please this world, I had already received my reward. How devastating would that be?

There is someone reading this that is feeling inadequate because of the people around you, but the Lord is telling you that you are more than enough for Him. All He wants is for you to live for Him fully. He wants you to freely choose His love and acceptance. By doing so, you must to give up those things that will keep you bound in sin. I had a conversation with one of my best friends about giving her life totally and completely to Christ, and she was resistant to the idea although she attended church. I asked her why, and she told me that she thought that she would have to be perfect in order to do that. But what she failed to realize is that Christ has already made us perfect. He did the work for us on the Cross. We can still live a fulfilling life outside of sin. The enemy of our souls just want us to think it isn’t possible. This a lie from the pit of hell. It says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God desires for us to live a good life with Him. It goes on to say in verses 12-14, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (NIV). How do we seek God with our whole hearts? Hebrews 12:1b-2a says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (NIV)”. Sometimes you have to separate yourself from those things that are causing you to fail in your walk with God. Even if your friends think you are anti-social, let them think it, because a real friend would understand that you are trying to do better for yourself. The question you have to ask yourself is will this be good for the edification of your soul and others who may be looking at you. When you first start walking with the Lord, the enemy will throw up every obstacle possible to make you feel like it’s too hard. Until you are strong enough to resist the devil, you will have to take a step back and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you. The Holy Spirit perfects us, not our own works, but the faith we have in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Remember, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. The Lord will gives us the strength to resist. All we have to do is submit our issues and ask for help. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)”