Light it up!

What up blog readers! It's been a min. since my last post...my bad. Life lately has been busy, challenging, fun, hard, and amazing all at the same time. That's the way I like it and I think that's the way God likes it as well! My little boy Jalen started first grade and he's doing awesome! I'm in the process of starting a new business...always fun...and always a challenge. I also started training mixed martial arts...it's only been a couple months. I seem to be picking it up well, although the drawback is...I'm pretty much sore all the time :)
In DVi8 on Thursdays we've been talking from the launching point of Luke 11:33-36 about the way we view life. Is our perception of life and all that goes on around us filtered through the light of God or the darkness of the world? Many Christians today are saved and going to be with the Father when they die, but aren't living the life they could be living on earth because they are living in darkness. Why? Because of how they view life...how they see things. They don't understand why they are depressed, sad, sick, angry, or frustrated. But the Bible says one reason may be because of your perception of life. If you're filter through which you perceive life's circumstances, events, challenges, ect. is dark (negative, pessimistic, scared, and so on) your whole body (or your whole life) is filled with darkness. Jesus also says in this scripture reference...and I love this..."Be careful that the light you THINK you have is not really darkness" or in other word's be careful that your religious background, the fact that you have attended church for 2,5,10, or 30 years, you read a lot of christian books, watch a lot of christian TV, can speak in Christianize and quote religious rhetoric give you the false notion that your life is full of light. Too many Christians today are living in darkness and don't even realize it. Why are so many Christians sick, depressed, living in poverty, having relational issues ect? Because the filter to their soul is dark or negative. It doesn't take all that much time of being around a person to learn if they see life through a light or a dark filter. The bible says in Luke 6:45 that "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Rhetoric and christian cliche's only last for so long eventually what is really in your heart comes out. Put a little pressure on a person, a little heat, and see what begins to manifest from their mouth! Now...I don't say this to imply that I or you are any one's judge. That's half the problem in Christianity today. We are always looking at everyone else and refuse to look at ourselves, when the fact is is that I'm the only person I have control of. I give this example of the tongue revealing the heart to encourage the reader to begin to evaluate what comes out of their mouth in the midst of challenge. What's your first response? Especially to challenges? Does your mind and your mouth go immediately to the worst possible result of the circumstance? If so, it's a good indication that your eye is bad. "but I've been a Christan for a long time" you say. I know...but you are a christian with a eye that filters the world through darkness and the Lord wants you to be a christian who filters the world through his eyes. Your life will be better, full of light (gladness, joy, happiness, power) and you will have positive impacts on the people around you!
How do I do it? Here are a few key's:
1. Decide you want to (Deuteronomy 30:19) - Life is basically a bunch of choices. Our choices determine everything. God sets life and death before us everyday. Choose...decide...you want the lamp to your soul to be filtered through a lens of light.
2. Get Knowledge (Hosea 4:6; Joshua 1:8) - Both of these scripture references teach us the importance of knowing God's word. The Christian lifestyle is meant by God to be a lifestyle of constant growth and adjustment. When you stop learning you stop growing.
3. Words (Luke 11:33-36) - Making a decision that you want to change, and beginning to get the knowledge of God into you will produce a change in the way you think and speak. The bible says that the words we say come from what's on the inside of us. Change what goes in and you change what goes out. But also remember this matter too is a choice it may take a great deal of disciple in the beginning, but you can do it. Speak the truth of God...not just what you feel!
3. Take action! (James 2:20) - Faith without action ain't faith at all.

Hope this helps break down seeing life "though the light lenz". Love ya!

For the Kingdom and the King,

Chad