"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NKJV)
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there is many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
In our last devotional we started to look at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." Let's continue with number three.
As stated in our last devotional, we can be tempted to take our eyes off of Christ and put them on the things of this world instead. When this happens we lose our focus and priorities when making decisions. This happens initially and we can make mistakes and be in sin - but it also happens after we have made the initial mistake as we look to the world to fix our problems. Even if we could find something other than God to fix our problem, it would only be a temporary fix for the fleshly problem at best - and we would still be out of fellowship with God in our spirit, and that is the real problem in the first place.
Jesus knew that we would be tested in our faith greatly when we would face the temptations of this world; that is why He spoke to us and gave us guidance to warn and encourage us not to be putting the things of this world ahead of the things of eternity.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
The basis of the enemy's temptation for our earthly lives is putting our own wants and desires ahead of God. When we do this, we have just made our wants and desire our "gods." Our "True" treasures will control what we spend the majority of our resources on, and that is because wherever our treasures are - our heart is there as well. We need to fix our eyes and minds on the things of God, as this is the only way to kill the desires of our flesh. Our heart will determine what is important to us - if it is God is truly important to us then we will be seeking the things that are of God.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 (NKJV)
Q: How can we apply this principle to our lives in a practical way?
A: Let's make it our goal to discipline our flesh and stick to a plan that will see us become faithful in the things of God. Make a budget for your resources - your time and your money - now pray about how you will spend what little you have. Put together a "To Do list." Here are some suggestions:
Hey Christian, there is nothing in this world that is worth losing our soul, or our character and integrity. What we do in this life is setting the stage for what we will be doing in Heaven. If God is important to you, then so will a relationship with Him be.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about our eyes and the desires that are in our hearts as a result of us looking on the things of this world according to the scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you making it a priority to spend time with God in His Word every day? Are you leading your family in the ways of the Lord, or are you teaching them to strive for the things of this world?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him if there are things that are out of priority in your life. If there is, then repent of them and give everything you have in following God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul.
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there is many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
- Storms of Correction These are the tough times where we go through trials and tests because we have unconfessed sin in our life - and we are going in a way that is not in the will of God.
- Storms of Perfection These are those times where we go through trials and tests because God loves us and He is transforming and shaping us to be more like Jesus.
In our last devotional we started to look at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." Let's continue with number three.
- We need to give up everything that we have placed at a higher priority than spending time with God and abiding His Word.
As stated in our last devotional, we can be tempted to take our eyes off of Christ and put them on the things of this world instead. When this happens we lose our focus and priorities when making decisions. This happens initially and we can make mistakes and be in sin - but it also happens after we have made the initial mistake as we look to the world to fix our problems. Even if we could find something other than God to fix our problem, it would only be a temporary fix for the fleshly problem at best - and we would still be out of fellowship with God in our spirit, and that is the real problem in the first place.
Jesus knew that we would be tested in our faith greatly when we would face the temptations of this world; that is why He spoke to us and gave us guidance to warn and encourage us not to be putting the things of this world ahead of the things of eternity.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
The basis of the enemy's temptation for our earthly lives is putting our own wants and desires ahead of God. When we do this, we have just made our wants and desire our "gods." Our "True" treasures will control what we spend the majority of our resources on, and that is because wherever our treasures are - our heart is there as well. We need to fix our eyes and minds on the things of God, as this is the only way to kill the desires of our flesh. Our heart will determine what is important to us - if it is God is truly important to us then we will be seeking the things that are of God.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 (NKJV)
Q: How can we apply this principle to our lives in a practical way?
A: Let's make it our goal to discipline our flesh and stick to a plan that will see us become faithful in the things of God. Make a budget for your resources - your time and your money - now pray about how you will spend what little you have. Put together a "To Do list." Here are some suggestions:
- Decide to get up an hour early to read your bible and spend time praying with the Lord.
- Budget time to read your Bible with your spouse and family in the evenings just before bedtime.
- Budget time to attend Church on Sunday's and mid-week services.
- Budget time to participate in small group Bible studies.
- Contact your church and volunteer to serve others in needed ministries (Remember, it doesn't matter if you're good at what's needed, or qualified - God will use you).
Hey Christian, there is nothing in this world that is worth losing our soul, or our character and integrity. What we do in this life is setting the stage for what we will be doing in Heaven. If God is important to you, then so will a relationship with Him be.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about our eyes and the desires that are in our hearts as a result of us looking on the things of this world according to the scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you making it a priority to spend time with God in His Word every day? Are you leading your family in the ways of the Lord, or are you teaching them to strive for the things of this world?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him if there are things that are out of priority in your life. If there is, then repent of them and give everything you have in following God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul.
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