GOD’S SELF IMPROVEMENT COURSE

It's In God's Book
courtesy photobucket

 

The Lord knows his people need some improvement therefore he sent his Oracles with his remedy for our soul problem (mind, will, and emotions).

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service,

We were created in the image of GOD but the cause and effect of being kicked out of the garden marred that image and needs to be restored.

The new birth effectively restores man spiritually but that is only phase one.

Phase two:  The renewing process:

Romans 12:1-2   I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what the will of God— what is good and acceptable and perfect

Ephesians 4:22-25

You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

In other words through study, preaching and prayer we become “Knower’s” or we know what the right path is.

To paraphrase Isaiah 30:21 when it comes to doing right the renewed mind (conscience) will guide you if you will allow it to.

T
he greatest weapon that is used against us by the foe of righteousness is Lust.  Lust at its worse will destroy us and at it’s best will render us useless for the kingdom of GOD.

 

In its blatant forms it is easily recognized but there are subtle forms that affect even the most sophisticated Christian.

It has been said, “It is the second look that get’s us.”

Eve undoubtedly had seen every tree in the garden but when she gave the tree of knowledge a prolong look - - lust was conceived in her heart.

Wives accuse husbands of giving other women a second (prolonged) look and chastise them for it.  For it is there where the threshold of lust is being conceived.

I
t was when David the king gave Bathsheba that second look that led him into sinning.  Being able to repel Lust when it attacks you is the path to success as a Christian.  The senses input fuel for activating Lust.

The five senses are hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, which leads to wanting either right or wrong.

Jesus said take heed to what you hear. 

 

In hearing is the motivation to do right or wrong.

Seeing can cause us to seek the wrong.

Smelling can lead us to eat the wrong.

Tasting can fail to warn us of the wrong.

Touching can encourage us to want the wrong.

We are in perilous state when we fail to balance our knowledge with wisdom for without wisdom knowledge will lead us astray.

 

 

The wisest of all said;

“Get wisdom, get understanding;

Do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

Love her, and she will watch over you”.

Our hope is “Introspection with the goal of perfecting ourselves”.

Matthew 5:48

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

SONG BY MGMT

(ATYPICAL OF ME WITHOUT GOD)

Glowing in the shadows

Twisted in confusion

Grazing in the meadows

Voices in profusion

Colors, thoughts, emotions

Are trapped within the heart

Feeling no emotions

End without a start

 

[Chorus]

Introspection, what am I really like inside?

Introspection, why have all the prophets lied?
 

There's a season when I will find out where I am

And there's a reason, and I will someday find the plan

Striving for perfection

And hiding when it comes

Seeing its reflection

And the fire it becomes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXPtxTAMkP4