SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1327

“360 Degrees”

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. – Haggai 1:5-7

I inspected a high-end motorhome recently that featured a 360-degree camera system. Being the techno-geek that I am, I was intrigued by the technology and how it provided an excellent view of my surroundings making driving, parking, and lane changes much safer.

Not to over-spiritualize things, but the technology made me consider my life walk with the Lord as well. How do I measure up in a 360-degree view of my day-to-day life walk?

Look Within – Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the condition of your heart. Would God say of you as He did of David that you are a person after His own heart?

I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will. – Acts 13:22

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of hardness in your heart that hinder a closer walk with the Lord. Do you harbor unforgiveness? Are there unrepented sins? Is your heart divided between love for the world and love for God?

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. – 2 Corinthians 13:5

Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord! – Lamentations 3:40

Look Above – Do you have the heavenly perspective of assurance of salvation through Jesus? Do you know, beyond a doubt, that your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Are you holding loosely to the things of this world, recognizing that this life is temporary and that eternity in Heaven awaits?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God; And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. – John 3:16; 1 John 4:15; 2:25

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes… – Philippians 3:20; James 4:14-15

Look Behind You – Learn from the past. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the Lord’s ‘fingerprints’ on your past life experiences and challenges. See how He has kept you, shaped you, protected and delivered you, and developed your character.  See how He has been faithful and steadfast in His love for you while you yet walked the path of disobedience and sin. Let your past build your faith and love for Jesus.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me; Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Psalm 51:3; Romans 7:24-25; 8:1

I consider the days of old, the years long ago; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – Psalm 77:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Look Below – Where is your life path taking you today? Do you continue to stray from the path of righteousness and wander onto the broad path of sin and destruction? Is your current path of life directed and illuminated by the Word of God?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path; You make known to me the path of life; – Psalm 119:105; 16:11.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths; Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. – Proverbs 3:6; 4:26

Look Around – We are in the world but not of it. Is your environment, relationships, business practices, and life decisions compromising the integrity of your walk with the Lord?

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” My son do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths. – 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:15

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – John 2:15

Look Ahead – Are you living a purpose driven life for the Kingdom of God? Are there ‘divine encounters’ on the path ahead of you – ordained by God to share His good news of salvation through Jesus? Are you ready in word and example to share the Gospel?

Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Hosea 6:3; Philippians 3:14

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mark 16:15

360-degree Perspective – Be encouraged, Jesus has gone before you and He will go with you. He will not leave you, nor forsake you and there is a great cloud of witnesses cheering you on.

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2