#4 The Great Exchange - Beauty for Ashes

In the west, where the people's physical needs are often met, to extreme measures, compared to much of the rest of the world... we see depression and anxiety making a grand appearance throughout our communities. Truly, this is a testimony to the message of the gospel.

What did Jesus mean when he said:

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'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' - Matthew 4:4

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We think that we will be satisfied when our 'bellies are full'. We are convinced of this, rather! But why, when we are 'full'... when all of our physical needs are met, are we left with this gaping hole?

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I have heard it said... we all have a God shaped hole in our spirit that many of us seek to fill with anything BUT the Living God. And to no avail. Our physical senses lie to us about our spiritual needs. Truth be told, we are not just these physical bodies. We are spiritual beings, with great spiritual needs at our core. 

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It is only His Spirit that can go to battle with this unruly flesh.

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I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

-Galatians 5:16-17

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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

- Romans 8:5-6

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

- Galatians 5:22-23

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And so...We begin to truly understand the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Why it is so important... 

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So what is this Great Exchange?! 

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To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

- Isaiah 61:3

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The great exchange... is God, having sacrificed all, offers to take all our brokenness in this world and offers us life... if we will have Him.

In secular terms we hear - thankfulness is the key to contentment. And this concept is definitely on to something. But who are we thanking? We thank the One that can take our ashes and exchange it for beauty. The One who can take our mourning and exchange it for joy. The one who can give us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

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The One who made us and gave Himself for us.

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Do you see that term 'garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness?' Remember? We are in a spiritual battle. 

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For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12

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For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for

pulling down strongholds,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

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We are in a spiritual battle, you see?

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Everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God... every... thing...

is a SPIRITUAL matter. 

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How do we do battle? 

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Look at the example here... when I feel heaviness, what do I do? I PRAISE GOD! And in return He promises to exchange that spirit of heaviness that is trying to rest on me for a garment of praise. Now that is a good deal.

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Everything we need to go to battle in the spirit realm is IN the Word of God. And by the Spirit of God, we will discern the truth as we read it, in ways that the world is not able to see.

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However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. - John 16:13

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So equip ourselves we must. Every day. We meditate on it day and night. For it will preserve us, protect us and equip us. Because in this life, we will be stretched and we will need to be equipped to endure.

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But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. - Psalm 1:2-3

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In doing so... you see... we are firmly planted. Our roots grow deep. We begin to bear good fruit. We will live and we will prosper. We renew our minds and gain understanding. We are not shaken by the storms of life as they come and go, because our house is built on the rock of Jesus Christ.

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

- Matthew 7:24

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And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:2 

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I hope this blessed you today.

Thank you for spending a few moments with us today to reflect and re-focus.

Until next time... 

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Continue this journey with us to build a home on the rock of wisdom and understanding... and join us as we continue to expand on this blog series - Building a Home with Wisdom and Understanding.

For further reading, check out Proverbs 31 for more on the virtuous woman’s path. 

Use GLC's The Goal Setting Handbook to apply faith-based principles as you work toward achieving your unique goals. This handbook includes valuable and relevant scriptures and structure to support you on your journey to success.
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With love.

-Elizabeth & Oz

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