Tag Archive | attitude

Personal Favoritism

Jun24

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.
James 2:1 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.2.1.NASB1995

I’ll be honest. I struggled with the meaning of this verse. I was not satisfied with the commentaries I consulted and the different translations just confused me.

But God . . .

I understand that the interpretation of the Word of God should be viewed in the context, in this case, of the letter, but I kept coming back to a personal viewpoint. (Which I truly believe was guided by the Holy Spirit).

“Personal favoritism.” Was I looking at myself? Was I thinking I am something special because I belong to the Lord? I will confess that I am truly blessed and my Lord God is a very, very special part of my life but do I act as if I am above others because of all the blessings God has given me? Do I think and act as if I am one of His favorites? That would not be very humble of me. I needed to change my viewpoint, all of God’s children are His personal favorite.

For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
Deuteronomy 10:17 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/deu.10.17.NASB1995

As God’s child we can feel pretty special but all are special in God’s sight. Jesus shed His blood for all people. He called me to walk with Him. I made a choice to follow. He does the rest. I’m still a flawed sinner saved by grace. There have been many, many people of faith who have done extraordinary service to and for the Lord but not without God enabling them.

🌹Look to Jesus . . .

. . . the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.12.2.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Imitator of God – Pt. 1

Sep16

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
Ephesians 5:1 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.5.1.NASB1995

“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
Leviticus 19:2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/lev.19.2.NASB1995

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.48.NASB1995

You shall be blameless (complete, perfect or having integrity) before the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 18:13 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/deu.18.13.NASB1995

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
Philippians 3:12-15 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.3.12-15.NASB1995

🌹Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.7.1.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Attitude of Thanksgiving

Oct31

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/col.4.2.NASB1995

“Pray with an attitude of thanksgiving”. . .

I’d never really thought about an attitude of prayer, except maybe as solemn, with reverence and sometimes with awe. I personally, many times, approached God with an attitude of pleading, crying, selfishness, whining, complaining, self focused prayer. Like children approach their parents in conversation.

BUT. . . Wow!!!
First of all, in prayer, we approach the throne of grace. The throne where Almighty God sits. The God who created the entire universe, and we as well. There is nothing He can’t accomplish. God will answer our prayers. If God will answer our prayers, our prays should be prayed with an attitude of thanksgiving as if we had already received.

🌹“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Matthew‬ ‭7:7‭-‬11‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.7.7.NASB1995

🙏Pray with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Philippians 3:15-16

Jul6

Let us therefore, as many as are perfect (mature), have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living (following  in line) by that same standard to which we have attained.
Philippians 3:15‭-‬16 NASB

Perfect, Holy God I confess that my attitude has not always been to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Father, reveal to me any attitude that is different from Your upward calling. I want to be mature so I can be perfect as You are perfect. May my life follow in line with Your standard, Lord. I thank You, God, for the blessing and privilege of speaking wisdom among others that are also mature; a wisdom not of this world, for we are not of this world, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. Fill me Father with Your Spirit; teach me wisdom Holy Spirit so spiritual thoughts will bring about spiritual words of honor, glory and praise to Your perfect, holy name. Amen.
Philippians 3:14/Matthew 5:48/1 Corinthians 2:6/1 Corinthians 2:12‭-‬13 NASB

🌹I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Ephesians 1:17 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Work – Ugh?

Jun2

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, — Ephesians 6:7

If you work for a living you “render service”. What does your service look like? Is it an example to others that you serve God? Is your day filled with grumbling and complaining about how the “company” or “boss” is unfair and doing you wrong? Do you look at your day as “I can’t wait to get through it so I can do what I want after work”? Are you always in a hurry for the weekend? In a state of hurry do you mistreat people or grumble under your breath that they are slowing you and your productivity down?

OR

Do you look at your work as a gift from God to meet the needs of your family and yourself? Do you face each day looking to see how you can fulfill God’s plan of salvation through your actions and attitude? Do you respect your authority as much as you respect God?

Is God not in control? Are the people in your life who slow your productivity not put there for a purpose? The purpose may be to teach you patience or perseverance or trust that God is in control. Or is that person there so you can be a witness of God’s awesome mercy and grace?

It really is all about God. May God bless your work day.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Attitude

May31

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; — Ephesians 5:19

Isn’t attitude a choice? When you rise in the morning is your attitude one of thankfulness to God for a brand new day of life; reverence of Him who IS; and seeking His wisdom to make the most of your time? (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Paul tells us to not be foolish but understand what the will of the Father is. Be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:17-18) How is this accomplished? By reading and studying the Bible and by prayer. Our attitude is greatly influenced by our involvement with the Lord Jesus.
Attitude is a choice and I choose to seek Jesus so that my attitude overflows into my day to touch the lives of others all the while singing and making melody with my heart to the Lord!
Are you ready for an attitude adjustment?
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon

Sin Loses It’s Power

Feb24

Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, — 1 Peter 4:1 (TLB)

What was Jesus’ attitude when He suffered and died for us? “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a singlecharge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Christ suffered and yet did not open His mouth. He did not complain, grumble or lose His focus — to fulfill God’s purpose. Do we have the same attitude or are we saying, “that’s not fair” or “woe is me” or even “I don’t deserve this”? When we are in the midst of suffering are people amazed at our attitude? They should be if we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We have been called for this purpose.

“Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin; for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you.” Jesus suffered and died enabling us to have power over sin by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. The power of God eliminates the power of sin in our lives.

Are you suffering? Praise God for when the body suffers, sin loses its power. The more we focus on God and His purpose the less power sin has over us. Seek Him in every aspect of your life. Seek Him continually.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. — Isaiah 53:7

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a singlecharge, so the governor was quite amazed. — Matthew 27:12-14

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, — 1 Peter 2:21

Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin; 7 for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you. — Romans 6:6-7