The Shape I'm In

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
Romans 8:29 The Message Bible

What shape are you in? You know - a healthy lifestyle, getting into shape. I tell people I am in shape. (It's true - round is a shape...)

In all honesty, I am making better choices when it comes to what I put in my body, but more important to me (and to God) is what I put in my heart. What do I need to do to shape my life like the life of Christ? Just as in physical exercise, when we become disciplined in it, we will see results. How genuinely and consistently do I exercise the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Am I seeing results? Are those around me benefiting from the results?

Is God being glorified by the results?

If we're not getting the results we want or need, we have to go back to the plan - God's plan. He has given us His Son as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is the original - and intended - shape of our lives. We need to daily commit to getting into His shape.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to reach past the desires of our flesh to the prize that is set before us in You. We want to attain the shape You have fashioned for us in Christ. Give us the courage to correct our choices by the conviction of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

When the Results Are In

We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
2nd Corinthians 1:8b-10 NLT

This is an amazing chapter! It explains so much about the heart of Paul and his strong penchant to give thanks always in all things.

Have you ever been where you thought you would never live through "it"? What did you do? Did you run to God? Did the situation drive you TO Him or cause you to question Him? Have you been able to reach the place that - like Paul - you've allowed the fertilizer application of life to bring forth good fruit? In verse 6, Paul explains, Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. Talk about preferring one another in love (Romans 12:10).

It is in the hard times that we come to know the Truth. To know God for who He is and to learn what we are NOT when we don't rely fully on Him. So when the results are in from all those times, where are we - running TO or running FROM?

Prayer:

Father,
           We give all praise to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our merciful Father and the Source of ALL comfort. We choose You. Guide us into Your Truths and help us to comfort others, Father, with the same comfort You've given us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen