Not of this world

It's so alluring how we can become consumed by the culture of the world. How much of us look like the world. We act, dress, speak, and laugh at the same things that those who do not know Jesus. Does not Jesus call us to be only in the world and not of it? This culture of consumerism and prosperity has gripped the church around her neck and is sending her into a tail spin. It's a death where the focus is not purely on Jesus.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

We have found such value in things that do not matter. I'm confronted with the question: Where does your identity rest? The latest fashion trend, diet food craze, man-made doctrine and hypocrisy, or should we ever even slip into what people care to think about us. The fear of man can rule us to a point where we change who we are to fit the needs and perceptions of others. We can be so ruled by the systems of this world, politics, money, lustful desires; it just surrounds us.

I often feel so overweight. This is a heaviness that surrounds and pulls me down because a battle that I face every day. Surrender. To give my life, my everything, to my Jesus. Nothing else matters. Fancy cars, houses, and clothes, it's all going to pass away. What will He find when it all passes away? How much will you allow yourself to be shaken? To lose yourself in Jesus where you soon find that nothing matters except loving and being loved by Him.

"...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 16:24-25

The pressures of this world are a reality but we must realize who we are in Christ: the bride, holy, anointed ones who are set apart, overcomers, strong and mighty! These are the days that God wants to restore righteousness, holiness and purity back to His church. It's the last wave of glory that He will bring. A faith tested through fire, impurities removed, and a church who is still standing and waiting for the return of the Bridegroom.

I want to say to the church, that we must flee from the idolatry of our times and be separated from the world. We must die to ourselves to can truly live in Jesus. We have nothing to lose but ourselves and the reward is being found in Jesus. I tell the church to hold fast to Word and find rest in His presence. You will look different from those around you, the world and the church. Discern the times. Arise and take ahold of the prize.