CREATING A GODLY ENVIRONMENT
This is Part 2. Part 1 was titled FILL US WITH BLESSINGS
We have studied about creating a Godly environment in the home and when we travel. But, what about where we are ‘captives’ to an environment which we cannot change ? Like at work, a doctor’s office, a jail cell, a store in the mall. etc.
THE BIBLE TELLS US OF MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD TO CREATE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS BECAUSE THE ACTUAL; ENVIRONMENT WAS POLLUTED AND UNHEALTHY.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1. SOMETIMES YOU MUST CREATE A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.
A. CREATING YOUR OWN VERY REAL ENVIRONMENT HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN SCRIPTURES.
Acts 16:24-25 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
2. ALLOW YOUR ENVIRONMENT TO DRAW YOU CLOSER TO THE LORD.
A. IT CAN MAKE YOU SEE YOURSELF AND BRING YOU TO REPENT. JONAH IN THE WHALE.
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
B. IT CAN HELP YOU SEE WHAT MISTAKES YOU HAVE MADE.
Luke 15:15-16 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
C. IT CAN INCREASE YOUR USEFULNESS TO THE LORD. PAUL, IN ATHENS.
Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
3. HOW TO PUT A FORCED ENVIRONMENT IN PLACE.
Success in establishing a different environment is all in how we chose to think. We can look at what people without Jesus as Savior look at and be miserable, or we can establish a better reality by looking at what Jesus has done, and what He promises to do yet. IT IS ALL IN WHAT WE ARE THINKING !
***Remember Philippians 4 !***
A. IGNORE THE ENVIRONMENT OF DOUBT.
Mark 5:39 And when He was come in, He saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
THIS DEPENDS ON WHAT GOD SAYS THE ENVIRONMENT ACTUALLY IS. YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE MATTERS WHICH GOD SAYS YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF. Like a tumor on the arm it continues to grow if you don’t do anything about it. Don’t ignore it. Bring it to the Lord. Do what He says to do.
–GOD WILL DO WHAT HE PROMISED TO DO. DON’T DOUBT IT. IF YOU DO YOUR PART, HE WILL DO HIS.
Luke 12:22 And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
B. FOCUS ON THE LORD, NOT ON PEOPLE WHO MAKE THREATS. THEY DON’T HAVE NEARLY THE POWER THAT GOD DOES !
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
C. RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
–BRING HIDDEN POWER WITH YOU.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
–MEDITATE UPON GOD’S WORD. APPLY IT TO THINGS YOU SEE.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
–REFUSE TO BE PUT INTO A BOX. BREAK OUT AND SPEAK OF THE WORKS OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE !
Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.
–APPROACH YOUR ENVIRONMENT WITH FAITH. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THERE !
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.