Living above the norm.

Hi!

This week I found some time to continue to read on in Elizabeth George's book "Following God with all your heart." I want to share with you a few of the truths that really spoke to my heart. I pray that these truths will speak to you and guide you as you continue to grow in your walk with Jesus.

"Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove the practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity." Romans 12:2 Phillips

"There's a point in any and every journey where a decision has to be made: "Which way do I go?" Hopefully you make the decision before you speed past the opportunity to go in the direction you need or want to go. There's nothing worse than having to get off a road, figure out how to backtrack, turn around, and get back on the highway so you can make the right choice this time."

The same is true in your life as a believer. For a Christian, a priority is: How can I know God's will? How can I be in God's will? Which choices will keep me on the path of God's will?

These questions are essential to ask and answer if we are to follow after God. The desire to follow Him and live in His will sets us apart for the normal life and puts us into an extraordinary one.

First we have to offer our bodies to God, to set them apart and dedicate them to God's service and righteous living.

Once we have offered ourselves completely to God our bodies and minds, a dramatic change occurs in our relationship with the World. Christianity is a "calling away from worldliness. "

Every day we will be tempted and pressured to conform to the world, to live as unbelievers do, but don't give in to the pressures of worldliness. Instead live for God and live His Way.

Living our lives based on the truths in the Bible makes us unique.

Here are a few ways that we can do just that.

1. Guard your intake-Feed your mind first and foremost on God's instructions. Once we know the truth and what God thinks about every facet of our lives, we can act, think, respond, and make choices accordingly.

2. Select your friends carefully. When it comes to choosing friends there are basically three kinds. The first group are those who pull you up to a higher level of Christianity, who help move you closer to God and His standards. These could be considered mentors, teachers and role models. The second group are those who pull you along. These are like minded peers who encourage your spiritual growth and walk with God. The third group is made up of acquaintances who pull you down--who encourage you in the wrong direction, pressure you to make bad choices, make fun of your standards. Yes you love them, pray for them, serve them and witness to them, but they are not your close friends.

3. Spend your time on what really matters. God tell us to use our time "not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. This means take great care in how you live. Live responsibly and wisely. Make the most of every minute by making the best use of your time. Your time is your life, and you're on assignment from God. You have a purpose. A wise person once said. "You can never kill time without injuring eternity." Being sold out to Christ most definitely affects the use of your time.

4. What how you act, what you wear, where you go, what you say... Are all these areas glorifying to Jesus! We must learn to use self restraint as a believer in all areas of our lives.
Christ in you makes you exceptional, and your thinking and behavior is to mirror your position.

Are you standing out and living beyond the norm today. This is what God wants for all believers. He wants us to be extraordinary, to stand out, to be different, to live above the norm.
He wants us to be a living, walking ambassador and advertisement for Christ!

Remember at the fork in every road, you must choose the road that brings you nearer to God.

May you ponder these truths in your life today. Praying you have a God centered new week.

Blessings,

Deb