(2 Pet 3:13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.(2 Pet 3:14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Although we may be unaware of it there is a daily battle going on for our lives. The really important thing about this is that we ourselves determine the outcome by our choices. Although the small daily choices may seem of no consequence in light of eternity, we are daily choosing to live either with eternal priorities or a temporal focus. There may be an underlying lack of peace in our spirit, but we figure that we are doing about as well as everybody else; Could God ask more?
For God to be able to guide us in the big decisions we must learn to listen to Him in the little daily ones. When we feel a little quiet tug in our hearts that questions what we are about to do or say, we can stop and listen. Too often we think, "Why would this be important? Surely there's no reason for me to stop." We charge on without actually consulting Him. The still small voice of the Spirit is quenched. We must become aware of this problem to be able to change. We might hear the voice and begin to explain to it the reason that we think it's all right for us to continue on in our chosen path.
Our chosen path: Choices. Daily choices. Let's become aware of them. Let's recognize that they affect our eternity and the eternity of others.
About our free time: Are we making choices that will build our spirits or harm them? As we endeavor to follow the lead of the Spirit, we find that He fills us with joy as we allow Him to rule, building up our spirits.
Our reactions in trials: Whether they are big ones or the little daily irritations, are we aware that Our Heavenly Father is sovereign and that everything that comes our way will work out for our good? We all know the verse (Rom 8:28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." However, often we don't take this into account when our spouse or boss or others go counter to what we think will lead to our best good. We react to try to protect ourselves. Our loving Father desires that we run to Him with the problem instead. Yes, He does care about the little things. Through them He would like to teach us to depend on Him, to trust, to submit.
We will be judged by our words. So what we say is another thing that has eternal consequences. That's pretty serious. A good way to become more careful is to ask forgiveness when we disobey God in this. Ask forgiveness of God and man.
(Mat 12:35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.(Mat 12:36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(Mat 12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
(Psa 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Mat 12:33) Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
(Mat 12:34) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.