Doing What you Know

In my morning quiet time, I am meditating on a Bible study from the late pastor Ray Stedman called ''How to Live What you Believe.'' In the study, Stedman wrote the following:

Truth known never does anything; it is truth done which sets us free.''

WOW. I know in my life that there have been Biblical truths I have known but did not do. However, I've learned a surefire way to make progress in life is to simply start doing what you know! Here is an example I've been facing this week from Philippians 4:8

'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.''

This week, I've been feeling low. Now I realize the root of that is meditating on the wrong things! Although I know Philippians 4:8 by heart, I wasn't doing what I know. As a result, a spirit of heaviness was on me. Because I want to overcome that spirit, my mental work is to make what it known, DONE in this area by faith. How am I doing that? When you are anxious about the unknown, the first step is to just remind yourself of the Biblical truth you know. But to actually move forward, you need that next step: do what you know. I am meditating on that which is:

• True: We are disciples of Jesus Christ and His grace saved us.
• Noble: Jesus loves us so much that He sacrificed His own life to give us eternal life in Him.
• Just: Although injustice exists in the world, God's kingdom is ordered and established on justice and judgement (see Isaiah 9:7). We trust Him to perform His word in His perfect timing.
• Pure: The Lord promises to refine us as pure silver (Psalm 66:10). We may not always enjoy the refining process, but we enjoy the beauty that comes out of it!
• Lovely:  Let us behold the beauty of holiness today in Jesus.
• Good Report: We are thankful for God's goodness and everything He has given us. Just in compose this message, I am thankful to Him for:
  • A sound mind
  • Ability to see
  • Ability to type
  • Working hands
  • Knowledge of the English language
  • Ability to read
  • Ability to write
  • A computer
  • Internet access
  • Electricity
  • A desk
  • A place to live

• Virtue: Through practicing God's word, we strive to do that which pleases Him.
• Praiseworthy: Throughout the day, we keep our hearts set on praise and worship, no matter the circumstances.

What about you? Ask the Lord in prayer to show you the truths you know but have yet to apply. Then, ask Him to show you the next right step to do what you know. He will fulfill His promise:

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

Be blessed with health, healing, and wholeness, Kimberly Taylor Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple program P.S. When it comes to weight loss, do you often know what you should do but have a hard time doing it? I struggled with this issue on my own weight loss journey, but I discovered that “Nothing is different until you think differently.” The value of the Take Back Your Temple program is that you will learn how to think differently through using Biblical keys to overcome obstacles. You’ll discover how to win the Spiritual and mental battle that often causes us to become inconsistent and get off-track on our weight loss journey. Join a community of like-minded Christians losing weight and keep it off. Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple program