01/05/25 STEPS TO SUCCESS

01/05/25 STEPS TO SUCCESS

Sometimes the debris, the clutter, the leav'ns, the rubble, the remains remain, after a transformation, a restoration, a renovation, a reclamation or even after a reconciliation. This is true in the natural realm and the spiritual realm.

Don't be overwhelmed by the change, by the supposed "losses," by the challenge, by the new responsibilities.

Sometimes the changeover takes place at such a late stage that it looks like a new beginning is hopeless, or too demanding.

But God deals with life from an eternal point of view, and so too, should we.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The forgiveness and regeneration and cleansing and empowering and leading is the beginning of God's work in those who trust in, call on, and turn to God through faith in Christ. God's salvation begins in those who believe, and continue through submission, faith, love, and obedience.

God's plan is to conform us to the image of His Son. This requires a new life, a changed life, a faithful and surrendered life, a Spirit filled life, a continually changing life.

When God removes the corrupt and the useless things of our lives, we sometimes need time to clear out the issues or influences left behind. There are works of God which are instantaneous, but some areas need to be developed and reshaped over a period of time, such as habits, world views, culture, understanding and relationships. Some issues take longer to get properly aligned and most of it takes effort and planning.

Some of the things that remain can be organized and prioritized, some things need to be removed completely. This is where mentoring and counseling are extremely helpful. 

Sin needs to be removed. Brokenness needs to be mended, priorities need to be evaluated and growth needs to take place. Don't hold on to the useless and debilitating things. Rid yourself of anything that will wreck your life and limit your value.

The more messed up a life is, the more changes will be needed and the more time it will take to correct.

But whatever you do, don't settle for only the cleansing, the removal of the negative. Be sure to replace the negative with that which is spiritually positive. The Christian life is dynamic, not stagnant, and it is a life lived in agreement with God.