Where To Even Begin?

If you are like me you would rather replace something than restore it, for the process of restoration takes work. Even trying to clean a room like a garage, basement, attic etc. can be overwhelming, it's like where do I even begin, so I just put it off. Now how about those who have been effected by Super Storm Sandy? Wow, I honestly cannot imagine! Many of the people have to start completely over for there is nothing than can be restored, all they have is memories.

How about when it comes to our lives? Many of us have experienced our own super storm, we might not have material destruction but we have shattered lives, broken hearts. As Christians we are all in a process of restoration, the question that needs to be addressed for us who have extremely messed up lives is where to even begin?

In Ephesians 4:17-19 we get the answer, we need to start by removing our stinking thinking. Salvation changes the heart but the mind remains the same unless we choose to no longer be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Jesus paid the price once for all regarding our eternal security but to walk out our salvation it takes work.

A baby will not grow physically without drinking milk and neither will we grow spiritually without daily intake of the word of God. The soul is made up of our mind, will, and intellect. It is great to say we are saved but it won't amount to anything but a ticket to heaven if we don't change the way we think. God's will is that heaven come to earth, we access heaven through faith in His Word.

Like boxers, daily we enter the ring.  If we are spiritually illiterate we have nothing to counter the enemy, so when he swings, we may duck, but eventually he connects because one can only be on the defense so long without an offensive response.  Even if one begins to get knocked around if they just don't get knocked down and make it through the round, they can recover between rounds.  We need daily spiritual breaks where we can regroup and like Ephesians 4:23 says allow the Holy Spirit (our personal Trainer) to renew our thoughts and attitudes.  It's best to avoid being knocked down, one can only handle so many blows before they are knocked out.  In the fight called life we have a choice in every situation to take a break when we need it and respond when we are spiritually right.

If we fight flesh with flesh we have no advantage, we will meet our match.  It will be a battle described in Ephesians 4:28-31, with the fleshly characteristics of lying, stealing, cursing, bitterness, rage, anger, slander, etc.  If we fight flesh with God's Spirit, we will respond in opposite manner, with lies we will respond with truth, with stealing we will respond with giving, with cursing we will respond with blessing, with bitterness, rage, anger, and slander we will respond with kindness, forgiveness, and tenderheartedness.  Holy Spirit always has the upper hand, if we fight darkness with light, sin is dispelled, curses broken, and victory enforced.