Don't Lose Sleep...It Is Normal

2Timothy 3:12-13

12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The apostle Paul was giving a charge to the young Timothy about life in Christ, what to expect as one who preached the gospel of Christ. But Paul's warning wasn't just for Timothy, he says 'everyone' so that means you and I as well. Have you ever noticed the strange looks you get when you bow your head to God in public in order to thank Him for your food? Have you ever had the strange looks and words of discouragement from "so called friends" and even family because you no longer distribute the outrageous drunken behavior you used to that left you sick? Do you get the taunts or those who wrongfully project their issues of being out of line with Christ onto you to make themselves feel better? Do people look down on you because you men and women in Christ now refuse to literally lay down with anyone and everyone except the mate Christ has made especially for you, to avoid getting up with fleas and being left empty and unfulfilled? Then you guessed it? You have been persecuted. King Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun and it is true. Human behavior repeats itself. Do not lose sleep over this persecution because it is normal. Do not backslide because of this persecution. You are a new creature as Paul says. In order to move forward in your life in Christ, Paul says you have to renew your mind. Renewing your mind isn't a one time thing. It's something you have to do regularly by prayer, recognizing and listening to the Holy Spirit, staying in the Word and learning to apply it in your life. What is interesting is that Paul refers to 'evil men and impostors who will go from bad to worse deceiving'. Yes, there really are deceivers in the world and sadly there are those who are being deceived because they cannot seem to put on the 'mind of Christ' long enough to discern when an impostor and deceiver is in their midst. It's time to take off the glasses of darkness and turn on the light. Stop putting yourself in a position where you are willingly opening the door to deceit in your life. Let Christ give you new vision so you can see it and call it out. Trust and believe, when you call out deceivers in your life, they make an exit.



P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!

Where Credit is Due

John 1:8-9
8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John the brother of Jesus gave testimony of John the Baptist's purpose. He very eloquently dispelled the myth that John the Baptist was the Messiah. This belief ensued for quite some time. But John said that John the Baptist was a "witness". A witness is a person with a firsthand account, someone that was present. Many of us as believers have to learn how to give our "firsthand account of what Jesus has done in our lives. We never know who may need to hear our eyewitness account. If we do not speak when the Lord gives us an opportunity is it because we are afraid or because we do not see evidence of Him in our daily lives? If we do not see evidence is it not because we fail to perceive or we simply haven't come to know Him yet? John also said "the true light that gives light to every man". In other words, Jesus will operate through any one of us, if we are willing. We alone cannot take any credit for what God does. We can only submit to being an instrument or lamp that Jesus is allowing His light to shine through. If we are not clear on who is in control, it can be very easy to attempt to steal the limelight. And our God is a jealous God. He will indeed demonstrate who is REALLY running the show. It's okay to say, "it's not me, it's Jesus." At that point, credit is going to where credit is due.