Skip to main content

Set Apart

2 Timothy 2:21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master prepared for every good work. (HCSB)


    The Lord tell us that we are to keep ourselves pure so that we will be better equipped to do His work. Purity is more than just "sexual morality." We, as Christians, should be focused fully on Jesus. That means cutting back on all the peripheral distractions. There are a few ways we can help out minds to stay pure and focused on Jesus.

    Being careful in what we fill ourselves up with is vital. We don't realize what gets into our minds when we listen to songs with bad lyrics, watch shows or movies with dark influences, or even go into environments that surround us with people who are living in unrighteousness. These influences run through our minds and plague our thoughts whether we know it or not.

    Besides making ourselves aware of these things, there are a few things we can do to help ourselves to shift our focus back on Jesus. One, is to replace those unhealthy influences with healthy ones. Find shows and music with a good message, find songs with good lyrics, people with good morals etc. Surround yourself with holiness. Other ways are to spend more personal time with Jesus. Get in the word, speak to Him in prayer, set aside some time to just worship Him.

    Make yourself aware today of His presence and where it is lacking. Focus on living in purity so that He can keep your focus and use you for big things in His Kingdom!


1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (NIV)

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Listen Up

    Is Jesus talking to you? I hear many people wonder how to hear God's voice and what to listen for. I want to offer a bit of wisdom on the topic. If you are wondering if God is talking to you, the answer is yes. We were designed to have a relationship with our creator and He is always there trying to get ahold of you if you'll only pay a little attention.     How does God communicate with us? The first way is through His word. Those are direct words from God Himself, written through His people. The Bible is our instruction manual to life. Whatever difficulty we may be facing, there is always an answer in scripture. God, having known every need before we ever needed it, has already provided an answer. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (ESV)     The second way God communicates with us is by talking directly to us. Just like Adam and Eve spok...

1 2 3, Count on Me

     I am thankful to say that for the first time in my life I am surrounded by friends and a community who I know will always build me up and point me in the right direction. More importantly, I know that they will always be honest with me. Honesty is a rare trait these days and I think it to be (combined with love) the most important thing to have in any relationship.    The Bible instructs us to speak life and truth into one another. To be honest and point each other to Christ when we are failing to see straight. I cannot emphasize how much I have grown since having access to that kind of community. Being in close friendships where I am able to be completely honest about my life, my struggles, my thoughts without fear of rejection or judgement is monumental alone. But take that a step further. I have been blessed to have friends that I can not only share my most intimate thoughts with, but they additionally are on their toes looking out for me and honest wh...

Multiplication Without Division

    The church environment is made to be the body and the family of Christ. We are supposed to love each other and support each other through everything. Sadly, this is not the attitude of most churches in America today. Unfortunately, many people bring the world into the church instead of bringing the church into the world.      A lot of people use the church as a place where they can jockey for positions and get recognized for their talents. They use it as a place where they can judge and condemn others from the safety of their own elite clique. They look down condescendingly on those they see sinning, while sweeping their own sin under the rug.  They cause division. This attitude comes straight out of the world without Christ.  Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (NIV)     A church is a place where we exalt Jesus and ...