Being Like Christ

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened.   For indeed Christ , our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
1 Corinthians 5:6b-7

There are times in my life that I know I am allowing a “little leaven” into my life; watching a movie and trying to ignore the bad language.   Continuing a habit that I know God has spoken to me about in the past.   Getting a little greedy, justifying my selfishness with a proclamation of need.

Am I perfect?   No.   Do I want to be perfect?   Yes.   Isn't that what we are striving for as Christians – to become more and more like Christ each day?   He was perfect.   Therefore, it is my ultimate goal to be perfect.   Will I be able to achieve that goal here on earth?   No.   But I can't use that as an excuse to hang on to a little leaven in my life.

God says that we become a new creation when Christ comes into our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).   I want that new creation.   I'm not satisfied with the old creature.   I crave to become something more each day.   I want to know Christ in a new way each day.   I want more knowledge of Him and who He is and what that means for my life.   I don't want to stay at a point of immaturity in my life.

Paul told the Corinthians that he couldn't even speak to them as spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).   He told them that where there was envy and strife and divisions that they were acting as mere men of the world, not as Christians.   Was he speaking about new Christians?   No.   He was speaking about those in the church who should be growing, getting the leaven out of their lives.

Have you ever known someone who has been a Christian for years, but they are still acting like a junior high kid in their behavior?   They want all the attention.   They get jealous if so-and-so gives someone else more attention than them.   They try to out do everyone else in this or that.   They constantly criticize or find fault in others that they see succeeding in friendships or in the church or life in general.   They are constantly gossiping about someone, getting offended easily, thinking everything anyone does has to do with them.   How can we be growing mature in Christ if any of these behaviors are existing in our day to day life?   We can't.

If we want to grow and mature as Christians, we must examine our lives each and every day and remove any leaven we find that still exists.   This is not something that can be done instantaneously.   It is a process.   It is a constant battle to keep some of the leaven from coming back into our lives.   We have to constantly make the choice to not allow old habits or ways of thinking to seep back into our lives.   We have to choose to forgive, choose to not be offended, choose to resist a habit that is not pleasing to God, choose to love those who are not always lovable (and be thankful that others choose to love us when we are not lovable!).  

How thankful I am that God is patient with me.   How thankful I am that He is gentle in His correction.   He lovingly points out the leaven in my life.   He is never cruel about it or judgmental, but always a loving Father, a loving Friend, who loves me enough to want to see me succeed in this life.   He is forgiving when I falter, quick to reach out His hand to help me stand again.   He never leaves me alone to figure out this life, but has given me all the tools and instruments I need to walk successfully.   When I don't understand, He teaches me.   When I get lost, He guides me.   When I ask, He answers.

This world that we are living in does not afford us the luxury of growing up slowly in our Christian walk.   There is a leaven in our land that is rapidly taking over.   We must be aggressive as Christians like never before.   How do we do that?   The first place to start is by removing the leaven in our own lives.   Only then can we be in a place where we can affectively remove the leaven from our society that is threatening to take over.   It's time to grow up.   It's time to take responsibility.   It's time to stop being satisfied with letting others take the reins.   I challenge you to join me in asking God to fully open my eyes to any leaven in my life.   And then I challenge you to the biggest challenge of all…choosing to remove it at all cost.

His Princess
Love Letters From Your King
By Sheri Rose Shepherd

www.HisPrincess.com

My Princess…
Guard Your Mind

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .”
Philippians 4:7

I want your mind fixed on Me, My beloved.   But I want even more from you.   I desire great things for you, so I want you to guard your mind by making an “aware list” – all the things you watch, listen to, and read.   Let Me show you the things that can carry you away from your calling and destroy your dedication to Me.   Even your thoughts can be held captive by the ways of the world.   I want to protect you, but I will never force you to listen to My Spirit or make your mind dwell on what is true, pure, and right.   The choice is yours, My love.   You can have an abundant life, a blessed life – a life of influence for others to follow; or you can join the way of the world.   I, your God, am asking you today to let your mind dwell on Me , and you will discover the kind of life you long to enjoy not only now, but forever.

Love,

Your King and your Peace of Mind

Michele's Bio:

Michele Pantlick is an author, speaker, and vocalist. She has published two books, "No Regrets" and "The Mountain Within" and hopes to continue to pursue this avenue further in the future. Michele lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband, Jesse. She is the mother of two wonderful sons, step-mother to two beautiful girls, and MiMi to one precious grandson. Michele has a heart to reach hurting women and teaching them their place as a precious princess in the Kingdom of God . To find out more about having Michele speak at your event or to order her books please feel free to contact her at Godsprincess@crosstel.net