God has been challenging my heart lately with this question? Will I take the chance to stand out? Be different from the crowd? Be a true follower of Christ?
I have always struggled in this life with pleasing other people. Even at the cost of my faith! I have been uneasy with these choices in life! I want to be pleasing to the Lord and STILL HAVE ALL OF MY FRIENDS IN LIFE. Can you relate to this at all?
Luke 9:23 rings loudly in my heart today:
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
MUST DENY HIMSELF! Strong words.... I'm called to be different and to make a difference while here on this earth. Its my prayer that through Christ - He will make a difference in the people I come in contact with! Use me Lord and strengthen me to do YOUR WILL.......
John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me."
I finally desire to be the red and white cow in the picture above. Not just be "One of the herd"....... God hand picked each and every one of us for HIS KINGDOM PURPOSE and today I am challenging each of you to BE DIFFERENT from the rest......
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 NIV).
God Bless,
Holly
Amen Holly! Loved this post! Stepping out in faith takes more than courage...it takes the strength and power of God. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't in Jesus' strength that willingly went to the Cross...we do all things through Christ because Christ is the living power of God. "Deny Himself"...it is our own crucifixion...I've heard it also called, "Dying to Self"...and it couldn't be more accurate...the process truly feels as though something is dying. But then there's God...and it's His power that resurrects us! He alone makes us BEAUTIFUL...designed to fulfill His purposes...a heart that is completely sold out for Him. He causes me to stand in awe.
ReplyDelete"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
Praying always! Love to you sister!
Cherie
Amen sister! Be different, stand out, let your light shine...that is what we are called to do. Only question when you stop being different!!!
ReplyDeleteOh and you cracked me up today. You only lose it in your fingers and toes...too funny:)
Holly, I am with you on this one, too, and thank you so much for your comments on my post. I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to blog with you!
I tried to post yesterday but was unable.
ReplyDeleteI shared about how I was just talking about this exact same thing to another christian woman.
I want to be pleasing to the Lord and STILL HAVE ALL OF MY FRIENDS IN LIFE.
YES, I can totally relate girl.....God is good though..He Who began the good work in us, DOES complete it..He NEVER leaves us the same..
Thank you for your honesty and sharing your heart. It was such a blessing to me.