The Life that shows and the Other that doesn't

There are many ways to invest our lives, but none offers greater reward than devoting ourselves to the pursuit of righteousness. Every area of our lives should reflect the holiness of God that is ours by salvation: our thoughts, so that nothing we think about would be inappropriate for a child of God; our actions, so that our lives demonstrate that we serve a holy God; our integrity, so that we are above reproach in all our relationships. Are you taking God's righteousness in your life for granted? Righteousness is something you must allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Instead of sowing holy thoughts, are you allowing evil and sinful thoughts to grow in your mind? Are you allowing lust to grow unchecked within you? Does enmity, bitterness, jealousy, or unforgiveness remain in your life? Jesus said if we seek first God and His righteousness, everything else will follow (Matt. 6:33). There is great reward in sowing righteousness. What are you presently doing to plant holiness in your life? (1 Pet. 1:15). How are you putting righteousness in your mind so that your thoughts are holy? How are you cultivating righteousness in your relationships so that you maintain your integrity? Are you instilling righteousness in your activities so that your life is above reproach? If you want to harvest righteousness in your life tomorrow, you must plant seeds of righteousness today. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

In reading this today it's been interesting to me in a different way.  I am looking at what he said and also it begs me to look at my life.  At what people see and what they don't. 

Sometimes we see people as we want to see them and don't see them as they are.

I am reminded of a movie where a guy only sees people as they want to be seen and known as.  There's a problem with that.  You live an illusion. 

God is at work in the lives of people.  In the unbelieving to lead them towards eternal life with Christ and in the believer to make them more Christ like. 

We often can get the notion that we can do what we want as a believer and that's not so.  We have a calling.  It's not enough to be who we appear to be at Church on a Sunday.  It's a 24/7 life. 

We both get lied to and we lie to ourselves.  What we don't see, others do.

Some may falter in life because of what we do or don't do.  

We who are Christians are not to consider this world our home.  Because it's not. 

Yet many live as though it is.  Attachments to things of this world are sooooo easy and then we lie to ourselves about them.  Being a zealous sports fan has ruined many a testimony of a believer in Jesus. 

You see the greatest feature of being zealous is it displays what's really important to your heart.  If it's not Christ that stirs you up and it's indeed something else, my friend you need to sit down and reevaluate your life. 

I was hit with that between the eyes many years ago.  I sometimes have to catch myself from going too far.  It's that easy of a temptation to fall into.  

Your life that people see and what Jesus sees of and in you should not be different. 

Sadly more often than not it is.  We are masters at hiding emotions at times.  Then wonder why we have problems. 

The greatest thing is...ask God to show you what's amiss in your life.  He will show you.  Then it's up to you to quit denying what He will show you.  Because you will. It's been as old as Adam that we deny or shift the blame for our thoughts and actions.

Have that heart to heart with Jesus today.  Be willing to adjust your life as He sees fit to make known to you. 

Make your life transparent between what the world sees and what is.   

You may have heard that you should never burn a candle at both ends.   You will if you live two different ways. 

Live like you heart belongs to your Savior.