Move Beyond Your Circumstances

. .

Do you realize you can love God with all your heart. . .be saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit. . .walk in the gifts of the Spirit. . .but not have it all together?

A few days ago, the kind of person I just described stopped by our offices for a chat. This person has a spiritual depth and love of the Lord. . .but he was focused on some unpleasant circumstances in his life.

My advice to him and to each of us is simple.

Stop looking at your circumstances. Create the circumstances you want instead of the ones you’ve got.

Dictionary.com defines circumstances as:

“a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor:”

Let me tell you one fact that can’t be modified or changed.

Jesus saves. Jesus heals. Jesus delivers. Jesus changes things which the world thinks can’t be changed.

We should never worry about circumstances. . .because we have the authority, wisdom and access to create any and every circumstance we desire.

Our circumstances don’t determine our destiny. . .they just reflect our current location . . . and what we’re doing or not doing at the moment.

It’s important for believers to know circumstances and facts change . . . truth doesn’t (the Word is truth).

Your financial condition can change for the worse by a sudden illness or accident, an unforeseen layoff or any sort of other catastrophic event, such as a death or divorce.

Your financial condition can change for the better with an unexpected bonus, increase in salary or perhaps, an unanticipated inheritance.

Your financial circumstances can change in a heartbeat. . .for better or worse.

However, there’s one thing that will never change.

Malachi 3:6 says:

“For I am the Lord, I change not. . .”

Hebrews 13:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).”

If God doesn’t change. . .and He doesn’t. If His word doesn’t change. . .and it doesn’t. If God’s promises remain the same. . .and they do. Then it’s fairly obviously . . . we and our circumstances are the ones and things that can and need to change.

Now let’s go a little deeper. . .

Matthew 3:2 says:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for repent is metanoeĊ (G3344) and it means:

“to change one’s mind”

The Amplified Bible translation of Matthew 3:2 says:

“And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Where a person will spend eternity. . .heaven or hell. . .changes. . .when you change your mind.

Whether you live in lack or surplus. . .changes. . .when you change your mind.

Whatever circumstances you’re dealing with. . .change. . .when you change your mind.

Romans 12:2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”

One more verse. Acts 3:19 in The Living Bible says:

“Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.”

We need to repent. . .change our minds. . .about our circumstances.

Our attitude will determine our tolerance of the circumstances we’re facing.

There are some things in life you just have to tolerate. . .but your attitude will determine whether or not. . .those circumstances eat your lunch.

Traffic. . .you can’t fly over it. . .tunnel under it. . .so just relax. . .enjoy the ride and make it a learning experience.

Some years ago, my fine wife Bev and I decided that when caught in traffic or dealing with drivers who shouldn’t have a license. . .we‘d always say. . .we’re on vacation and thus not be in a hurry when driving.

A negative attitude in traffic will make you run hotter than your radiator on a hot summer’s day.

Don’t let someone else determine your day. . .relax and make the journey a learning experience. Listen to teaching CDs and downloads, like our two-minute videos.

Taxes. . .you either pay them or you go to jail. . .so change your attitude. Thank God that you have to pay more in taxes because it means you’re making more money. Having said. . .let me also encourage you. . .to report ALL income. . .but take every deduction and advantage the law allows.

I could go on. . .and discuss how we have to tolerate ignorant people. . .among other things. But here’s the real key.

Our attitude. . .determines our tolerance of unfavorable and/or aggravating circumstances.

Ephesians 4:2 in the Good News Translation says:

“Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.”

Talking about our circumstances won’t change them. . .but action based on God’s Word will.

Anyone who ever said talk is cheap. . .never argued with a traffic cop.

Someone once said, “talk is cheap, but actions are priceless.”

Do you know what impresses God. . .what makes a difference with Him?

Romans 2:13 in the Message Bible says:

“Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.”

God is impressed by what you actually do. . .not what you intend to do or say we’re going to do.

Do you want God’s approval?

James 2:24 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“You see that a person receives God’s approval because of what he does, not only because of what he believes.”

You receive God’s approval by doing what He says in His Word.

Years ago, Dr. Morris Cerullo said: “Faith is a fact, but you’ve got to act.”

Life is full of people who want to talk about what they’re going to do. . . yet nothing ever seems to happen.

I have a friend who is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. . .but he has a totally unrealistic view of what it takes to make happen the things his mind creates.

A creation without implementation with never come to fruition.

Do you want to move from the prison of mediocrity to the freedom success can bring? Then do something instead of talking about it.

Genesis 39:22 says:

“And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for doer is `asah (H6213) which means:

“to do, accomplish, produce.”

Joseph was a dreamer. . .but his destiny manifested because of what he did.

If you become known as the go-to person in the workplace. . .you will find doors of opportunity opening for you. . .beyond your expectation.

Joseph was a doer in person and it opened the doors for him to escape from a prison into his destiny.

One other thing, if you’re not doing what the Word says. . .then you are deceiving yourself.

James 1:22 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].”

When you listen, obey an act on His Word. . .God will bless and reward you and yes, your circumstances will begin to change.

James 1:25 in the New Living Translation says:

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Be the change you desire to see in others. . .and you will marvel at how your circumstances begin to change.

Think about it.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS