You – yes – what’s inside of you is the starting point.
What you have inside will manifest outwardly. Our relationship with ourselves reflects our relationship with God. The Apostle John recorded what Jesus said about this: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4). If what’s inside of us is detached from the source of Life, we will whither and not produce fruit. Our lives will reflect what’s inside of us.
The first Old Testament verse that Jesus quoted was Deuteronomy 8:3 when He said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.‘” (Matt.4:4). What we consume is cast back out.
Let’s take a look at some of the things we consume – things that influence us. We have heard the teaching, “The eyes are a window to the soul.” 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! ” – Matt. 6:22-23. Are we full of light or are we in great darkness?
It is hard to hide what’s inside of us. Jesus said in Matt. 23:27, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
This coming year will not be different than this year if what’s inside of us remain the same. We can change the way we clothe ourselves, we can change jobs and we can change relationships, but if we continue to consume the same things (physical and spiritual), we will produce the same fruit. Unless we remain in Jesus and unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we cannot expect different fruits.
It’s not to late to plan (or change your plan) for 2018. This coming year could be the best year ever. What would you like in 2018? Here’s a promise – from God, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matt. 6:33
Have a joyful 2018
What’s inside of you is the starting point in 2018.
HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!