What Are You Becoming?
About 30 years ago, I was a young man in my early 20’s going out to eat with men from the church men’s group for breakfast. I was pretty new to this group of guys, and we had just completed a morning Bible study. By far, I was the youngest in the group and was looking forward to learning from these more mature men, which I did, especially that day.
At breakfast, I found myself sitting beside a retired Pastor and across from another man who was also retired. They were both in their late 60’s, lived very near each other, and had both grown up in Florida. Both men were followers of Christ, so you would think they would have had similar thoughts, beliefs, and faith. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“What you are continually being will get stronger as you get older.”
The retired pastor didn’t have much money, didn’t have great health (neither did his wife), and had lots to be worried about, yet was quite happy. He was joking around, enjoying life, and he couldn’t stop talking about God and His love.
The other man was financially set, had no health problems, and seemingly had nothing to complain about, yet that is all he did.
What I learned that day as a young man is this:
“If you continually work on your relationship with God and walk by faith, you will become more faithful and loving in the process. However, if you are bitter, angry, and frustrated through life, it will intensify as you age, even if you consider yourself a Christian and go to church.”
What are you becoming? I personally want to become more faithful to God and love like He does every day. Paul wrote three scriptures in Philippians that I quote each morning to help me keep the right perspective. Below are the three Scriptures, and here’s what they essentially say:
Forget about what is behind you and press on with God.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Do not live a limited life because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Here are some essential questions for the week to answer and keep in front of you:
1) What are you becoming by your daily thoughts, attitudes, and actions?
2) Are you becoming what God wants you to become?
3) What do you need to change in your thinking to become what God desires?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you are my Light, my Rock, and my Example. Help me to become more like you every day. Please forgive me for the times I have lived opposite of your will. Show me your Truth and help me to live by it. I desire to live by faith and love like you do. Search me, show me, and change me, Lord. Amen!”
Scriptures: These are truths to live by!
Philippians 3:12-14 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-8 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
