Influencers Weekly Devotional

A Better Perspective   by   Rocky Fleming         I've been enjoying a different approach to my quiet times lately. Normally I read scripture and journal through them using the S.T.A.R method of capturing and applying God's truths in my life. If you do know this simple method you might want to try it.  (Scripture read - Thought conveyed - Application of the scripture to my life - Response to the Lord, as I pray back my understanding and pledge to embrace His instructions to me). That is my normal method of studying scripture almost every morning, and it has been an amazing blessing to listen and respond to God's leadership through His word. But like I said, I've been doing something a little different, and it has refreshed my Q.T.  I'd like to share it with you.   Lately, I've been on a quest to embrace God's perspective ... His point of view that I should have in life instead of what I normally use as a filter. I am seeking every day to look for a “God Perspective” that shows up and teaches me a different point of view from the world's point of view.  I then record these perspectives in my journal, and look back and see how God is training me to gain His point of view.  To gain this view I must purge myself of the worldly perspectives that invade my life from sources of my culture, my upbringing, my nature.  There is so much in this world around us that is opposed to God's perspective, and as a result we find ourselves reacting in ways that generally go against His ways, because we do not look through His point of view. This is not unique to me, for it is the way of the world, and the way of mankind.  But, should these ways be the ways of God's man?  Should we aggressively accept a relationship with Christ, but at the same time passively embrace the perspectives of this world?   Does He want it differently for His man?  The Apostle Peter thought so.  Take a look at his perspectives with why, what and how to live rightly before God and mankind, and as a man who will honors his King with his life. I call these perspectives “basic points of views,” which become a foundation for more perspectives that I am given.  They serve as the foundation for what follows, as I am taught by the Holy Spirit to have His point of view.  They are:   WHY DO I NEED A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE FROM THE WORLD? Peter said:  "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10            My first foundational perspective should be to view life as God's son … an heir of His kingdom…   a member of His family, the royal priesthood.  This changes the way I see myself.  Then I ask, “Do I think and act in a noble fashion … as royalty should?”   WHAT DO I NEED TO DO DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD? Peter said:  "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11    My second foundational perspective should be to live differently from my old ways … the ways of the flesh that led me as an immature believer.  There is always a battle going on within me that wages a war against my soul.  I must choose whose side I will be fight for, and whose voice I will follow.  Will I choose God's leadership or Satan's?  If I call myself God's man, then I must live as God's man should.  Always be fair, but never demand it for myself.  Be merciful, for that is the way a man after God's on heart treats others.  Be gracious, for when I do, I am not hindering the flow of God's favor to me.  It pours to me and through me and it must do so constantly for me to have a fresh infilling of God's perspective, and the much needed intimacy with Him that I seek.   HOW DO I LIVE MY LIFE BEFORE MANKIND AND BEFORE GOD? Peter said: "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16            Third Foundational perspective: Through Christ I have been granted the freedom from God's condemnation, and the failures of legalism.  But, how do I now live with the freedom God has given me, and not lose my purpose to live a life that is Christ honoring?  To do so, I must embrace my life of freedom with a commitment to also accept my sacred responsibilities as a man of God, to live in a righteous and purposefully manner?  I've been saved for a purpose … God's purpose.  I must use my freedom to seek and live for His purpose, and His glory, and not squander my life on those things that   have no purpose other than pleasing myself.   Yes I am on a quest to change my perspectives in life, and to instead see the rest of my life through God's point of view. I know this is a quest He wants for me as well.  I've been assured that my efforts will not be futile, and I accept God's promise that I will find what I seek.  Read it below while asking yourself, “Am I willing to ask God to change my perspectives in life, to see life His way?  Am I willing to seek it like a treasure waiting to be found?”   “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom” Proverbs 2:1-6