We all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the
same image… —2 Corinthians 3:18
{CHAMBERS} “The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is
this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life
to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed,
and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has
been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he
mirrors the Lord’s own character. […] The most important rule for us is to
concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including
work, clothes, and food be set aside. […] Let other things come and go as they
will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to
obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never
let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him.”
{ELGIN} When you run short on
time .. and we all do on occasion .. what are some of the first things that you
give up? I typically get up between 4:00
and 4:30 am. Why? Because if I don’t
then I don’t get this BLOG written. I don’t spend time totally focused on the
spiritual … establishing my day with a spiritual foundation. I have
to be deliberate about it. I hear people say, I got up late so I didn’t do … whatever … maybe read the Bible … pray … or
something simple like eat breakfast. Our
spiritual life is the most important aspect of our lives, at least that is what
we tell people and ourselves, yet it is one of the first things that gets set
aside when we are short on time. If you get
up late, the focus is on getting to work on time .. getting the kids up so they
don’t miss the bus … the spiritual, at that point, is probably not even at
issue because the natural so dominates our living and the urgency of the moment.
Look, with God there is not a
“yes but …. “ there is only yes and no … I did or I didn’t … no excuses ….
Jesus asked Peter ... “Do you love Me, Peter?”
… Three times…. (John 21:15-18) First, love like you love
people in general, then love like you love family, and last love like God loves
you .. sacrificially. Most Christians would answer like Peter … “You
know I do Lord!” That is the way we are
to love God … then Jesus said to Peter .. “If you do, show me.” (my paraphrase) The bottom line .. the cold
hard facts …. The reason we don’t have time for God is that we don’t make time. I know that is true for me and I suspect it is
true for you too … and other Christians that you know. So what to do … “straighten up and fly right”
… love that saying! Encourage the saints. (1
Thessalonians 5:11) “Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement is not judgement and it’s not criticism. We all need to be encouraged in the Faith
from time to time .. that is why the Bible says it! That’s why I get up at 4:00 in the
morning. So there is nothing to it, but
to do it.
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