all about perspective

3:23pm EST, Sunday, November 27, 2011. On that day, and at that time, I had a thought that I never expected, and would have never thought would ever, under any circumstances (with the exception of being chased), ever think. This thought was: "I need to go running."

This may seem silly, but it's true! I have always detested physical exercise, and always thought it would be something that I would never do faithfully. Whenever I have done any exercising in the past outside of working, it has always been grudgingly and with a firm, unwavering negative disposition.

About two months ago, my roommate and I began a workout program. At first, I had the same perspective that I always had, along with a secret hope that my roommate would flake out on our plans so I wouldn't be responsible for not continuing faithfully (I'm so thankful that didn't happen!). However, after I decided to look to the Word about this, I began to think about how me being faithful to our running plan is a great metaphor in the five senses of me faithfully and freely running to serve spiritually, and that I was applying the principle of making my body an effective vehicle for moving the word. With this new perspective, the running itself got easier (it felt as though a weight had been lifted), and the time spent was more and more enjoyable. Now, I look forward to our morning runs!

 God's perspective is higher than ours. 


Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When I chose to look to God's perspective rather than my own, not only were our runs easier, but they became more fun. This applies to more than just physical exercise. When we live life with love, God says that His commandments are not grievous.


I John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

We do our best and live with love, and God helps us out. Life is exciting!!!!!!!!!!

Faithfulness

As born again believers, we all have the same measure of faith as a part of our "holy spirit package." That measure at faith is by grace, not by works. However, the measure of our faithfulness is dictated by our works.

How is our faithfulness measured? It is measured by our words and deeds. Now, is this our others perceive us? Let's look at this example of Jesus talking about being faithful to pray.

Matthew 6:1-6

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

If Jesus was teaching to be faithful to pray when we're alone, do others' opinion dictate how faithful we are? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all about the heart


Luke 16:10, 13-15

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much...No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

God blesses us for being faithful.

Psalm 31:23

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Being Watchful/Protecting Ourselves

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

The word "keep" here means to guard or protect with watchfulness. We are to guard our hearts because that's where our lives are! From what are we to keep our hearts?

Let's look at the context:
Pro 4:14-19, 24-27

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble... Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 

We guard our hearts from wicked ones and evil. We are in a spiritual competition instead of the spiritual war of the old testament, but we still see this principle in the church epistles and books that pertain to the church of grace.

I Thessalonians 5:21-23

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 Now that we know from what we are to keep our hearts, but now, with what do we keep our hearts?
Proverbs 4:1-13, 20-22

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life....My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 

Proverbs 5:1

 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

Phillippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God's peace reigns and our hearts are kept with WORDly wisdom. We put on the word diligently and apply it, and that's how we keep our hearts. What is that word, "diligence?" It means (from dictionary.com) "constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistant exertion of body or mind. proper attention or care."

See the emphasis that God puts on wisdom? Wisdom is knowledge applied. When we learn what the Word says, we have knowledge. When we apply it, we have wisdom. That wisdom is what keeps our hearts and lives. The Word is practical! The best knowledge to turn into wisdom is the Word for our time in the seven church epistles! Do it diligently!