Then don't try to fit God into your life anymore... instead, fit your life around God.
If you really want to give God control of your life, you'll need to re-orient your lifestyle to revolve around your relationship with Him.
Some have a tendency to create a set of "rules" in the backs of their minds that, if they do them, they feel will make their life better.
We try to be faithful to read our Bible daily, to be sure we witness to someone or pray for them, and to not miss services when we feel like staying home, but hopefully it isn't just to make sure we're doing the right thing.
These things are good; they're wonderful! We should do them whether we feel like it or not.
But if you read your Bible because you are striving to develop your relationship with Christ rather than just reading x number of chapters per day to say you did it, you will begin to want to read more. These kinds of things will begin to be a choice instead of a chore. =)
I'm a homeschool Mom, and when I hear someone mention they're a hs Mom, my ears perk up! I have LOTS to talk about!
I want to know how old her kids are (especially if they're teenagers), what curriculum the other Mom uses (especially if we use some of the same things), how long they've been homeschooling, where do they live, and more. I want to know what their values are and their dress standards. I want to know if they are "compatible" with us, and is it a good idea to get together with their family.
I don't have to think about what to talk about. I don't have to try to make conversation. Homeschooling is a passion of mine, and it just spills out. If I find the other mom likes algebra, or uses Apologia science, well, I'm thrilled! =) I would excitedly tell her of how I've written blog posts and found videos to go along with each chapter of Physical Science and Biology, and how I have helpful links posted under these categories. I'd tell her that I have a few videos for other subjects also, and that I have some things for algebra and geometry.
I'd have no problem talking for a few hours with a homeschool Mom!
(I had no problem composing this paragraph, either! =)
But just recently have I been trying to read my Bible more faithfully, and trying to read some good books and really find something each day from the Lord. Today I was reading some things along the lines in the first paragraph. I realized that instead of just trying to do the right thing, I should try to really seek Him, and the right things will follow. I want the Lord to spill out also, not just material things that I'm interested in.
What are you passionate about?
I have seen girls dress with skirts as short as they can get them, or shirts as low as they can and still be "acceptable" in their Christian circle.
Why?
It's like they're asking, "How far can I go and still please Jesus?"
Um... I'm pretty sure they're not even thinking about pleasing Jesus. More likely, they're thinking how far can I go and still be accepted as a "good" girl in the eyes of others.
In dating, people want to know how far is it okay to go?
Why???
Why should we go as far as allowed?
What? "Allowed"? As far as WHO allows?
When you talk to a girl/guy, you'll talk about things you have in common.
Do you talk about the Lord any? What does that say about what is in the other one's heart?
If you talk about Christian music, do you ever talk about the message of the song?
Yes, you can see others be faithful to church and carry their Bible, and maybe they're careful about what they write on their facebook statuses and comments (and maybe not, but that's another story!!!), but that's what they want us to see. Only the Lord knows the heart.
"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I Samuel 16:7
And what's in the heart will come out. Sooner or later.
Usually when it comes out later, it was something to hide.
The same thing with television shows and movies. Who says what is okay to watch? What is allowed and is not allowed?
The questions should be, "Do I think this show pleases Jesus? Is there anything in this movie He would not be pleased with?"
"Oh," you say, "but it isn't much!" Would you drink a glass of water with a little spit in it???
If I'm in a close relationship with Jesus (which I am still working on!), then my life will revolve around Him and what He wants me to do. When I meet another Christian, I will want to talk about Him. We do talk about things we have in common with others. I'll not have to think of what to say. I'll have plenty to talk about, and what's inside will come out.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:..." Proverbs 23:7a
You've heard people say, "You are what you eat," and that may be true physically, but spiritually "You are what you think, what you read, what you take in..."
No one knows what is in your heart but you and the Lord. He knows if your motives are pure, and if what you do is to please Him or if it is for those in your Christian circle.
What kinds of movies do I watch? What kinds of books do I read? What clothes do I wear? How much time do I spend online?
Take these questions and add "that please(s) Jesus?"
Don't do it to look good and please man.
"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;" Ephesians 6:6
If you strive to be closer to Him, it will come out.
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20
Will you give your life to Him? ♫♪
A good book to read is In His Steps, written by Charles M. Sheldon in 1896. The phrase "What would Jesus do?" came from this book. It was read on Christian Classics August, 2011. =)
You can read most of the first chapter on Amazon. Just "Click to Look Inside."
Also Suggested: Modesty - What Guys Say
For Him,
