Patterns of this World

 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

       Ya know sweet friends, God has really been teaching me a lot lately about recognizing the things that break His heart and things that simply don't please Him. Wow, there are many! It really is amazing when we take a step back sometimes and just allow ourselves to look. I guess that's why God tells us to examine ourselves and to constantly ask Him to show us anything in our lives that needs to go. 

       I think a lot of these things that displease Him, that we allow to come into our lives, are not intentional. But I don't believe that makes them any less wrong, they still hurt His heart and as His Children, if we really do love Him, then it is our job to know the things that displease Him and do our best to intentionally not do them. It's a hard pill to swallow isn't it? But the more I've studied His Word and sat at His feet, the more I've realized how important it is to Him... that we WANT to know those things and WANT to live lives that please Him.

     In this journey I'm still on and will be until the day I die, I am starting to recognize and understand what the "patterns of this world" are. Now here's the kicker... it actually isn't a mystery, but pretty plainly laid out right in front of us! Which is what hurt my heart the most when I finally saw it. I think maybe because we are so surrounded by the things of this world, sometimes we have a harder time recognizing the danger and are more concerned with just adapting to it.. yikes right?

     So here's just a few examples, there are so many, but these are the most visibly on display for us.. (now don't worry, I'll get to the encouraging part of this blog soon, bear with me!)

What are the Top 3 things this World LOVES?

1. SEX

2. ALCOHOL

3. MONEY

YES???

     These are the easy ones to spot aren't they? Everywhere we look we see these things advertised, promoted, pushed, constantly in our faces, in movies, in music, in magazines, in stores... unfortunately, in many churches as well these days. We are surrounded.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

    And then there are many other patterns that this world loves that are just as fluid but not so much in the spotlight. This comes with attitudes of rebellion, hate for righteousness, disrespect and hate for others, a callousness for God, ect.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying it's power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5

    Do you know what I've been realizing lately? How easy it is for us to get caught up in the "patterns" of this world. It's so crazy to me how there is really nothing new under the sun. Sure there might be more of it nowadays and we might have different variations but it's all still rooted in the same sin, the same defiance against God. Back in the Old Testament, you could see the patterns of the Israelites... God told them to destroy all the people in the cities they went to battle with...WHY?.... Because those people were wicked, they worshipped idols (demons), they followed demons, they embraced sin and God didn't want them influencing His people! A little different take than what we're taught today huh? (that's worth a ponder too, yes Jesus taught us how to love our neighbor... but does that mean that this concept of His Children not mingling with wicked people really changed? The verse above from Timothy... is New Testament, after Jesus had come and taught us how to love our neighbors... right?) (also... isn't it crazy how our churches are so focused on bringing in the "lost" "unbelievers" "people who don't love Jesus" and not only inviting them into our houses of worship... but plugging them into ministry!? so now we literally have unbelievers .... ministering and leading God's people.... and we wonder why our churches have lost their power and confuse people in this world more than reach them today? yes?)

      Often the Old Testament also talks about how the nation of Israel (the leaders) led the people into sin.... and look at our nation today. Our tax money goes to pay for abortions and other things that clearly go against God's Word. Places that we spend our money at, some give that money to organizations that spit in God's face and support things that God tells us not to do. We don't really think of those things do we? I know I never really thought too much about it until I was reading about Israel and thought, "How does our nation cause God's people to sin..." and then, wow, it's humbling isn't it? And it can feel overwhelming when you start to see the sin that permeates our world. So what can we do? Are we really supposed to be concerned or worried about what the world is "forcing" us to do? It's not really in our hands is it?.... well, I don't know... is it?

      I'll admit sweet friends, this has been a hard pill for me to swallow because it's forced me to really think about it and we don't like to really think about things do we lol? Because if we stop to think about it, then comes knowledge of what we are doing and we all know "ignorance is bliss" right? Well.. not really, if we actually want to please God with our lives then we don't want to be ignorant about how He feels about things... and that's where I'm at.  So personally, I am in the process of paying closer attention to the world around me and very intentionally deciding what I allow myself verbally to support and also what my money goes to support as well. This has not been easy friends and honestly, I'm scared of what I may find out next ya know? Like I heard that my favorite chips brand might be giving profits to Planned Parenthood... and I LOVE these chips! but seriously... they're just potato chips right? We might think, "what's it gonna do to that company if you stop buying those chips Darby?"... and my answer is, "I don't know, probably nothing...but it shows Jesus that He is more important to me than those chips, that I will stand on and up for His Truth and not support those who choose to advocate for and advance sin in this nation"  And I think it's worth it don't you? 

     "Living sacrifices" can be painful at times sweet friends but I believe when it comes to "not conforming to the patterns of this world"... this is what it actually looks like. Practically living out our commitment to Him in the littlest of things in order to bring Him glory with our lives and to shine a light in the darkness. Love you sweet friends, praying for you as you walk out your life as a living sacrifice, and pray for me... we can do this! 

"If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:21-24

"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them."  Ephesians 5: 3-7

Fearful Intimidation?

 

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7

"You have been given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth." Psalm 100:4

       We are called to be "salt and light" to this dark and dying world. We are called to preach the Good News that there is One who loves us so much that He died on the cross, bearing all the weight of your sin and my sin, sin that carries the death penalty, sin that separates us from our Creator, sin that destroys, sin that binds us and breaks us, sin that takes away our hope, takes away our futures, sin that torments and taunts, sin that permanently separates us from the love of God and sends us to an eternity in Hell.....

                                       Jesus took all of that.

      He laid down His life in our place and died, for you and me so that we could know Him and walk in freedom from sin.

      God calls us to walk in freedom. This is HUGE sweet friends. His grace and power he bestows on those who choose to accept Him, is what empowers us, not to live in sin freely.... but instead to BE FREE from sin and walk in righteousness! No one is perfect and of course there is always areas in our lives that we need to be laying down in surrender to His will. But what an amazing gift He has given us! What freedom we have as we move through this life here on Earth...

      So what happened? When is the last time you heard someone speak of their bondage of sin? When is the last time you heard someone testify of the freedom they have found in Jesus? When is the last time you heard a preacher tell you that God hates our sin?

"In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. To turn one away from the snares of death." Proverbs 14:26-27

       In the Bible, people feared the Children of God. Did you know that? They were afraid to go up against them because they feared the God they served. They witnessed God's power revealed through His Children enough that they understood He was mighty, He was powerful, He was real, and He could crush them in an instant. Nothing was impossible for their God.... What happened? People don't "fear" Christians today, in fact we have become a target for persecution, we are the brunt of a joke, the world has no problem rising up against us do they? Why don't they fear us anymore?

                                                                          It's simple.....

      WE stopped fearing God a long time ago. WE no longer believe that God becomes angry with us when we embrace sin in our lives, we just know that He loves us so that's all that matters. Because of this serious heart condition, we no longer think anyone's sin is a problem, we just focus on God's love and hope somehow that is enough to provide a good witness to the world and we've done our duty to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel."   We've become so polite that we no longer feel the need to take a stand for what we know breaks God's heart and spits in His face because, well, it might make an ungodly person..... mad at us.

     We've turned our churches into hospitals for the sick instead of universities for the Believer. We have made our churches so focused on this lost world, that that is now WHO is attending... and leading... and teaching.... and ministering... not spirit filled strong Children of God who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind... but the lost are leading God's Church???

     People see "Christians" today and they don't see a peculiar people, they see themselves, and if they simply choose to talk about Jesus a lot too, then they can be just like us. 

      We have become a joke to the world. Because we have become nothing but mouth pieces to God. We stand for nothing. We are too intimidated by the loud ungodly people of the world who are both outside and inside our churches, who make us cower and bow down to their way of doing things, and when we cower long enough.... we begin to find it easier to just join in and go along with their way of "worship". We build up and worship the idols of this world right along side the people we are trying to "reach". We bow down to demonic forces and pray for God's blessings.

        And we wonder why the people we read about in our devotions had such power and authority, nations of people would tremble before a Child of God, prophets would call down fire from Heaven, young boys would slaughter giants... how did these men and women and children of God have their enemies trembling in fear?

                                                  Because they KNEW Him.

                                                  Because they LOVED Him.

                                                  Because they TOOK HIM AT HIS WORD that....

"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-31

"If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments." John 14:15

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run or labored in vain." Philippians 2:12-16

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:7

"'The Lord will judge His people' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31b 

       We are "His people".... it's time we start acting like it. This message is not for everyone sweet friends, there are MANY Children of God who walk with fire and power because they love the Lord with everything they have! There IS a remnant of God's People right now carrying the presence of God with them wherever they go. But there are way too many "Christians" that are in name only and it's time to decide whether you REALLY follow Jesus or you don't. This world will get worse, sin will abound, and the hate for God's people will continue to grow and rear it's ugly head. God tells us so. BUT.... the choice is ours sweet friends, will we BE the Children of God that causes the world to tremble because we carry with us the presence of the All Powerful, All Mighty God, the Creator of All Things... or will we choose to bow down and embrace the lies of the Enemy who's ONLY GOAL is to drag people to Hell? We can't love Jesus only half way.... it's all or nothing. God says if we are found luke warm... He will spew us out of His mouth... that's not Heaven folks. We must CHOOSE TODAY Whom we will serve. The God of the Bible is STILL the God of the Bible. It's time the World got reintroduced to Him... don't you think? Maybe it's time His Children... got reintroduced as well.