"Keep Your Eyes on Heavenly Things"

On 15 AUG 2017, Staying the night with my daughter, I had just fell asleep and I woke up hearing myself speaking in tongues and then Holy Spirit quickly gave me the interpretation, which was "Keep Your Eyes on Heavenly Things".  The next morning I shared with family what the Holy Spirit had said.  Now as I sit and write I know it was for encouragement for my daughter. 

How to Live the Christian Life Well

How’s life today? Is it going well for you? If it is going well, yay!!! Keep enjoying this beautiful, peaceful day in the Lord. Yet, if things are not going so well today, keep your head up and look up for better days to come. But no matter how your day is going today, I believe God wants you to see the bigger picture. And that big canvas is all about “How to Live the Christian Life Well."

That’s right. It’s time, sis. It’s time to represent Christ well. Now, let’s talk about how, through the power of His Word. I believe it will be life-changing.

Colossians 3:1 states, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Colossians 3:2 also goes on to say, “Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth.”

So as we live here as foreigners on this earth, sis, remember to keep your eyes on heavenly things. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2). This is one of the ways to live life well here on earth...until Christ returns.

Also, we are called to represent Him well. So let me ask you a quick question. Are you representing Him well, sis. Meaning, can others see Christ living inside of you by your actions? Reason being is because when you and I accept Christ, our lives are supposed to begin changing. We actually begin to live a new life. Second Corinthians 5:17 helps us understand this by saying, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun."

With that being said, let's go deeper to break down what that new life actually looks like according to God's Word.

Living the New Life in Christ – Colossians 3:3 says, “For you died to this life (the old life), and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in His glory.” Woohoo! This is really Good News!

PUT TO DEATH SIN – I know a lot of people don't like to talk about sin, but we must. As we walk out this Christian life, Colossians 3:5 tells us, “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.” God doesn't want us to have anything to do with this type of sin in our lives. Instead, he wants us to put it to death if this begins occurring within us. So if you are struggling in any of these areas sis, pray and ask God to help you overcome whatever the struggle may be. Also, if it is a big stronghold for you, confide in someone that you trust to pray with you to overcome it.

DON'T BE GREEDY – Put down that fork! Nah, I’m just kidding. But seriously, if greed in any part of your life is a problem such as money, covetousness, or even food, pray to get rid of it, sis. The Holy Spirit is right there with you, willing to help you. Also, confession and repentance are the keys to moving forward. So take the first step. Colossians 3:5 states, “…Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

WATCH YOUR ACTIONS – People are watching you, and so is God. So be careful how you live as a Christian woman, wife, mother, friend, mentor, leader, or servant. Colossians 3:7-8 tells us, “You used to do these things when your life was still a part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Colossians 3:9 continues saying, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.” These things are a part of the old life. So aim to live anew.

CLOTHE YOURSELF – We have to stay dressed in the right garments as well. Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…you must forgive others…Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” All of these are character traits that God wants us to possess. He wants us to put on the right clothes daily. This is how we live the Christian life well.

We were created, called, and commissioned to live this new life in Christ well. Not only that, but we also need to make a conscious choice to represent Him well in these last days. Remember, at the end of this life, we want to hear those beautiful words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” But until that time comes, we need to recognize that the world needs a Savior, and Jesus is counting on us to live in such a way that others will want what we have, which is a life in Christ Jesus. So it starts with the way we carry ourselves among them.

Remember 1 Peter 2:11-12 says, “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.”

Colossians 3:17 saying, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Amen. Let's represent Him well, sis. We can do this!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!  Bits and Pieces of post by ~Courtnaye

Prayer:

Father, I ask for grace to trust You more. When I am afraid I will trust in You. I praise Your Word. My God, in You I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Lord, Your steadfast love never ceases, Your mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. You are my portion; therefore, I will hope in You.

May You, the God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To You, O Lord, I pray and according to Your Word You will not fail me, for I am trusting You. None who has faith in You, Father, will ever be disgraced for trusting You.

Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for You are the God Who gives me salvation.

Lord, I have no fear of bad news; my heart is steadfast, trusting in You. My heart is secure; I will have no fear.

Because You are faithful and trustworthy, I make a commitment to trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I acknowledge You, and You will make my paths straight. I am blessed, for I trust in the Lord, in Whom is my confidence.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scripture References:

    Psalm 56:3,4 NIV    Romans 15:13 NIV

    Psalm 112:7,8 NIV    Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

    Lamentations 3:22-24 RSV    Psalm 25:1-5 TLB

    Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV

Prayers that Avail Much

All I Have Is Christ [Sovereign Grace Music]