Soar On Wings Like Eagles

How to rise above yourself

Dying to self The Bible tells us not to conform to the patterns of this world. Too many times we find ourselves doing things we would not normally do; the reason being, someone told us to do it or someone influenced us or because we are told that is what people normally do. But what if it is the wrong thing? What if it is out of our character? What if it is against God's Word? What if it will lead us to destruction? Who sets the standards of how we are supposed to be and live in this world? One of the things the Bible tells us to do is die to ourselves, that is, the fleshly sinful nature. We do not follow the crowd if it is going against God, we do not do things just because others are doing it. We die to self. It is one of the most difficult things to do because there is a lot of external influences. Conforming is the easy way. Following Jesus costs us our earthly desires. And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up...

 Complaining It is in the fallen human nature to complain. Many people are always complaining about something. Anything can become a subject of complaints; the weather, ourselves, other people, our circumstances, other people's circumstances, the world events, and much more. But what leads to complaining? A discontent heart; a heart that is not right with God. With time we realize that there is a difference between complaining and putting a point forward. There is a difference between giving an opinion and complaining. With complaining we are blaming everything and everyone else but ourselves. Yes, we should rise up against any form of injustice or immoral conducts, but what is the condition of our hearts when we are doing or saying something. What do we want to achieve when we say something? Why do we say or do what we do? Complaining comes from a point of weakness or fear. Do we go telling everyone and anyone our problems? How do we say what we say? Does it come from a pride...

 Count The Cost Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Luke 14:28. Following Jesus Christ will cost us. We have to be willing to leave everything for the sake of the Gospel. We have to come to a place whereby we will choose God no matter how tempting the other options might be. Give God your all. It is worth it following Christ. What it costs to live for God is nothing compared to the reward that comes for those who remain faithful until the very end. We have to be willing to die to self, to say no to carnal fleshly desires, and reject the ways of the world. The choices we make have consequences; let us choose well. We are advised to always count the cost. Before doing or saying anything, we should first stop and reconsider the effect such will have on us and on others. Most times we do and say things, then just get on with our lives without considering the effect our actions or words...