TAKE OFF YOUR MASK!
The New
Year is a great time to drop our masks and take a good look at ourselves in the
mirror. Who are we? Are we able to identify our emotions? Can
we make healthy decisions that will improve our lifestyles? Are we
satisfied with our life as it is? What you think is the right road may
lead to death. Proverbs 14:12
God
wants us to be real and this starts with us being honest with ourselves as well
as with others. We can fool ourselves and other people but we can’t fool
God. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected
to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Ephesians
God’s plan was
to create us in His image Then God said, "And now we will make human
beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the
fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small Genesis
1:26
Although
Adam and Eve sinned and caused an obstacle to rise between mankind and it’s Creator, God had already devised a way of escape.
He sent His only Son to free us from our sinful nature. Anyone who
accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior is given the
opportunity to reclaim his/her royal position in His family. But you are a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so
that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
1Pe 2:9 We become godly as we take on
God’s values. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance,
everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has
to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an
entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, Ephesians 4:22
It
is most important to realize that we cannot make it on our own. Only the
Holy Spirit has the power to help us to change our ways. Yes, we may have
the desire to change our lifestyles but it takes God’s Holy Spirit to give us
what we need (love, faith and wisdom) to do it. All we have to do is ask
our Heavenly Father for what we need and He will be more than happy to give it
to us. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory
in Christ Jesus. Philippians
What are we committing to change about ourselves in
2005? Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
Proverbs 4:23
Minister Francine
Stuart
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