Stepping Stones: Look Inwardly With Courage

Transformational Tip
As Christians, our goal must be to be fully utilized by God. This can only happen after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. To do so requires the courage to look inwardly. We are so quick to diagnose and judge others...let us take that energy and time to examine ourselves. It's astounding how ignorant we are about our true selves. We rarely recognize the distortions, laziness, envy, and pride held within us. We must dump the idea that we understand ourselves...the only one who truly understands and knows us is God.
To look inwardly you need alone time with God. When only through God's lenses, can you see your misguided desires and affections...and all those things that keep you from Him.
Today, take some time to ask yourself, "what outranked God... what was more important to me than pleasing God, than keeping the Holy Spirit on the throne of my life?" when you examine an area of temptation or a wrong decision you made today or recently. Really doing heart diagnostics can be painful, but courageously being honest with yourself will open the door to reaping the fruit of the spirit and growing the mind of Christ.

Prayer
Dear Father God,
I am so thankful that You are God with us - constantly and eternally. This fact alone is sufficient to fill my days and nights with joy...thank You my Lord. Sadly though my mind slips out of focus and I begin looking outwardly at the broken world around me. I know by Your Word that I learn and grow in You best when I am alone with You. I desire this time alone with You Lord; please help me push away all the distractions that keep me from being alone with You. When we are alone, I ask that You give me the courage to look deeply inside myself; let me be honest with myself so that I may be honest and open with You. Give me your lenses to see my core accurately. I pray to You in the name of Your Son Jesus - AMEN!

The Truth
...when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:34
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:22-23