"And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God." ~ Romans 12:2 (BLB)
Also known as... Thoughts of a Novice Gardener... Part 4.
This thought is admittedly only garden adjacent, but it did start with reading the packet of my favorite brand of seeds one sunny afternoon while thinking about all of you.
Whether you consider the choices of Paul, or Martin Luther, or countless others who were/are warriors of the Kingdom (though, perhaps not in those terms,) they're so often rebels in the eyes of the world.
Let's face it, we believers are quite often countercultural.
And, certainly, in what is now (sadly) being referred to as the Post-Christian Age, standing for Yeshua, standing for Judeo-Christian tenets, is certainly a rebellious act.
Some of us are equipped by our Creator and the Holy Spirit to declare that Truth by megaphone to millions, others perhaps to whisper to only one.
Whichever shade of that scale the Father has ordained you to walk out, being in the world but not of the world standing for eternity is a deep, beautiful, soul poetry of a rebellion.
In certain places in the world, it's outright physical danger variety rebellion. We certainly pray an extra measure of protection for those folks.
The nifty thing is, the Father knows just what dose of protection, guidance, and grace we each require, and He will provide, if only we'll ask and allow.
Abba Father,
As we each walk out the path You have ordained for us, may we be blessed and protected and assured.
May You grant us, Heavenly Father, all the strength, courage, peace, and BOLDNESS to be whomever You have equipped us to be.
And, may we remember to be that person, and no one else, in a world rife with comparison and self-diminishing habits.
May we each remember to put on the full armor and stand strong in our identity as a child of the Most High.
AMEN!!!
Go out there and get 'em, you rebel of Light, you. ;)
"And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they might have my joy in their hearts in all its fullness. I gave them Your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but I do ask You to keep them safe from the evil one. Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world. Dedicate them to Yourself by means of the Truth; Your Word is Truth. I sent them into the world, just as You sent me into the world. And for their sake I dedicate myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You. I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in Us, just as You are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that You sent me." ~ John 17:13-21 (GNT)
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding--because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin..." ~ 1 Peter 4:1 (CSB)
"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers." ~ Matthew 5:11 (NLT)
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
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