Religion puts you in a place of non-resistance, and always paints a picture of God way off in space somewhere. - Dr. Bill Winston
Immediately when Dr. Winston made this statement, I thought of Bette Midler. I know right, so super spiritual! LOL! No, I thought of the song she sang, "From A Distance". The song paints a picture of a peaceful, hopeful place, viewed from a distance. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the song. But so many times, the songs we love support and increase unbelief! That's just what the devil wants! He wants us to think that God is off just watching us from a distance, when in all actuality...God is within us! That peaceful, hopeful world can be created when we "destroy the works of the devil!"(1 John 3:8).
We are the legal agents in this earth. Our birth certificates and physical bodies give us dominion, and authority in the world. As Charles Capps used to say, "This earth suit is required, when you lose this earth suit...you must leave the earth!". While we live in this earth we are encouraged to have influence, and use that influence to make the world better. What will you be remembered for? Who will remember you? Will any one miss you when you are gone from this earth? Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."(Easy-to-Read Version).
In order to make an impact in the earth, we must understand who we really are! Where can you find out who you really are? Great question! So glad you asked! The Bible is the best place to find yourself! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."(KJV). Psalm 139;14 says, "I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul."(Voice). Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(KJV). From these three passages, we have learned that we are the workmanship of God, we are each a unique creation of God, and we were made an exact duplicate of God! The word image in the original means, "exact duplicate". WOW! This means you are not "no good", even though your grandmother said so! You are valuable, even though that really good looking person rejected you! You are loved and cared for even though you were an orphan!
That's Good News! That's the good news that will stop us from hurting, killing, and mistreating others! That's the Blessing at work! Dr. Myles Munroe preached about "Loving the Other Image". The sermons are available on YouTube. Fall in love with yourself, and you will be able to love others. There is only one condition...you must love God first in order to love yourself. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?"(Living Bible). Jesus said, "This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself."(Living Bible). When we understand our personal value, and love ourselves...we will never SETTLE for less! God created you to be Blessed to be a Blessing!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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