Live Inside Out (Part 3)

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:23-25

In extreme sports there is a saying: “No guts, no glory.” Sometimes we don’t understand why God won’t bless us or entrust us with more. Perhaps you are super talented and have a lot to offer God but doors just aren’t opening. God may be saying, “No guts, no glory.” He is interested in what is on the inside of you. Are you being open, honest, and receptive to His work in your inner life? Are you asking God to examine you and remove any wicked ways in you? 

When gold is refined in a fire the temperature is turned up to a very high level so the impurities will rise to the top. Being cleansed may not seem pleasant at the time but it will reap a harvest of blessing in your life and in the lives around you.  

Eighty percent of all icebergs are underwater. The real threat is not what you see. The Titanic sank because of what was underneath the surface. Most Christians are like icebergs. In other words, only 20 percent of our thinking is about Jesus and the rest of the week we don’t think about Him. Eighty percent of our lives are about our businesses, careers, relationships, etc, and Jesus has this tiny little reserve.

But when there’s more on the inside than on the outside you are powerful. God can use you in a mighty way. It’s who you are on the inside that matters. Your private life, character, integrity, and purity matters. Living the Christian life when nobody’s watching matters. Who are you on the inside?  

In Acts 17:6 the people referred to the early believers as “Those which have turned the world upside down.” The only way the church is going to turn the world upside down is if the church gets turned inside out. Pray today, “Lord, create in me a clean heart. I desire to be a vessel you can use. Set me ablaze with a fresh love for you and others. Forgive me for focusing so much on all the outward while neglecting my inward condition. Purify my soul and give me a heart like yours. Thank you Jesus. Amen.”

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