Recently I did a small group study that had us identify one or two deep core beliefs from a list of a hundred or more.  Wow!  This was really hard to do!  But, after much prayer, soul searching and thinking, I came up with my two.  They are FAITH (in Christ as in He will do what He promises, will take care of me, has my back, has my future….etc.) and FREEDOM (from anything that holds me captive….)

After identifying these core beliefs, I then was to look at what behaviors keep these beliefs safe and strong in my life.  Also, what actions do I do that lets me know I am not protecting these beliefs in my life.

 

 

TWO PATHS

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When I started thinking about it, I started envisioning a picture of two paths I can follow.

PATH ONE: I am walking hand in hand with Jesus.  This is the path of FAITH and FREEDOM.  This is the path where I am full of His joy and love.  To stay on this path, I need to do some pretty important things each day (and probably several times a day).

  • Renew my mind with HIS truth
  • Be involved in Bible Study
  • Write in my prayer journal
  • Talk to Jesus throughout the day

I  have found that I need to stay pretty vigilant and disciplined to do these things, or I tend to  wander off to another path.

PATH TWO: This one seems easy and comfortable but is is full of my own destructive behavior.  It is one of SELFISHNESS, GREED AND SIN.  Although I am saved and this trail doesn’t lead to eternal death, it is a path that leads away from a full life in Christ like the first path does.  I know I have slipped off that narrow way when I find myself

  • full of worry and anxiety
  • obsessing about things
  • trying to control situations
  • overeating or loosening my eating boundaries
  • feeling down about my appearance

 

So, which path am I on right now?

I need to examine my actions and my thoughts.  This will help me see which path I’m following….the one that leads back to that prison or the one of freedom. I know I’m on the bad path if I am overeating or obsessing or worrying… etc…

I stay on the path to freedom if I am praying, in bible study, journalling  to renew my mind…and staying within my boundaries for mindful eating.

TAKE A MINUTE AND THINKBLACK-WOMAN-THINKING

What actions and thoughts keep you on the path that leads to abundant life?  
What are your warning signs that you have slipped back on the path of self destructiveness?

No matter what, dear friend, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, You are already on the road to heaven.  You are SAVED, but He wants us to have abundant life with Him RIGHT NOW on this earth!  He wants us to walk with Him on the path of freedom  RIGHT NOW.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

So, as we walk this journey called life…

Lets examine our thoughts and our behavior.

Lets heed the warning signs that we are slipping back on that destructive trail.

Let’s plan to daily BE with Jesus and do the things HE calls us to do to remain IN HIM.

He calls  to us. 

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