a short reality check

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17, King James Version)

So, how is your appetite?

Are you famished for Jesus?
Do you live hungry for His presence, desperate to receive more and more of His Word?
Are you starving to know God intimately and willing to do whatever you can to get closer to His throne?

No?

Then what are you eating, digesting, and filling yourself with instead?
What cravings do you indulge?
Food?
Alcohol?
Drugs?
Sex?
Materialism?

Do these pleasures completely satisfy you, or are they consuming you?

Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because everything that belongs to the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle - is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God's will remains forever. (1 John 2:15-17, Holman Christian Standard Version)

So, how is your attention?

Are you invigorated and inspired to seek after godliness?
Are you stimulated and aroused to see more of what is holy and righteous?
Is your focus to follow after God's perfect plan, the Shepherd's narrow path, the Savior's exclusive Way?

No?

Then where is your attention directed?
What are you looking at?
Where is your eye drawn?
Who are you watching and concentrating on?

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. (1 John 2:15-17, The Message)

So, how is your attitude?

Is your heart and mind centered on sacrificially loving God and loving others?
Is your identity humbly enveloped in the King's authority and headship?
Does your temperament adopt His character and share His heart?
Does your time reflect His purpose?
Do you use your resources and abilities to showcase His many gifts, blessings, benefits?

No?

Then who are you crediting?
Whose interests are you supporting?
Whose economy are you advancing?
Whose image are you promoting?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17, English Standard Version)

Ladies, this earth is indeed passing away. Our lives in this world exist only for a small moment. But in this short reality, God calls us to love Him first. God instructs us to obey His law first. Through His Word, God shows us how to mirror His Way through the example of His Only Son.

Why?

Because the old way of sin cannot fill us nor can He tolerate corruption and evil.
So, the ways of this world can only destroy us because it is infested, sick, dying.

The Good News is this...

Because God loves us more than anything, He offers us the opportunity... the privilege... to abide forever in His perfect, good presence, Yes, the unfathomable, healthy, mighty presence of God is ours to embrace and enjoy! We are offered a new life, a new way, a new economy, a new purpose, a new plan in Jesus' Name. His door is open, welcoming us into an eternal, fulfilling relationship with our Creator that no other craving, stimulation, material, or ego could match. Today, He eagerly awaits for us to respond to His invitation to love Him alone... to desire and seek Him alone... to glorify His Name alone. For that is exactly what He created us to do. That is exactly how He made us to live to our fullest, healthiest potential.

So, how is your association with the King of kings and Lord of lords?

The decision to love God or to love something/someone less is yours alone.

Will you choose to embrace this expiring earth and it's temporary comforts?
Or will you choose to abide in the everlasting presence of God Almighty?

The time is now... choose today whom you will serve.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17, New International Version)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson