Action

First, let me make a correction in a statement I know that I have said but in the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) it is not found. I have said that when Jesus Christ was on the cross and he cried out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" that God could not look upon him because he was carrying the sin of the world on him. This is not true.  If it was, God wouldn't be able to look at you and me.
Also, I want you to know that my heart's desire is for you to have a deep, lasting, and loving relationship with the God who created you, God Almighty. This is not about having fire insurance and thinking that it is good to know God and accept the gift of salvation; then turn and do whatever your desire is. It is not okay for you to accept salvation and think it is okay to be a harlot.  When you accept Christ, it should be a life changing experience. Yes, it is difficult to change, but when your heart truly desires to have a relationship with a man who died on the cross for you and because of you, He is worth getting to know.

Okay, it's time to put what we've learned into action.  But wait, what did we learn? Look back and see that we've been talking about how to have a Christ centered relationship. First you have to accept the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus by spending time with Him. Gaining a greater understanding of what He says about you makes all the difference in your world.
Next, take your thoughts captive. Pay attention to what you are saying and thinking. Asking  yourself questions is okay even if you don't have the answer.
Now, we are going to find ways to placing these things into action and gain, perhaps, a better understanding of where you are to where you want to be, to where you want to go.
Let's get started.  Set your area up with a notebook, Bible, dictionary, a mirror (yes a mirror), writing tools plus a high lighter or two.  Then come back and ready for step 2.

Let's pray together since we are in this together, okay?
Lord, help us to cast all our anxieties on you. Show us, please what good is in us that you see. Help us to humble ourselves before you, strengthen us where we are weak, encourage us where we lack confidence. Lord, give back to us what the devil has stolen so that you may be glorified. Forgive us where we have fallen short and believed the lie that we are not worthy of having anything good in our lives.
So let it be, Amen.

You can't heal a wound by saying it is not there. In Jeremiah it says:
"They have healed also the daughter saying peace, peace, when there is no peace."

Romans 7 says this: "For what am I doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin  that dwells in me."

Recognition is the first golden nugget and you are seeing you want the good stuff. You have a wholeness of mind and you can make decisions based on truth. Yippee!
God says in Matthew 11 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Now, lets explore what Jesus says about you. Have you heard the phrase "Modest is Hottest"?
I am sure in Christ's day there were women who acted and dressed provocatively. These women are alluring to the eye of men, harlots as they are called.
Did you know there is writings that tells us how to act and dress?  Look at a couple of scriptures.
Proverbs 11:22.  As a ring of golden a swine's (dictionary: swine) snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion (dictionary: discretion). 

I don't know about you, but being compared to a pig is not attractive.  Have you had the opportunity to look at a pig and watch the way they act?  Have you seen a pig with a nose ring?  It is rather disgusting. That is what God used to compare a woman that shows her skin, wears mid drifts, has foul language coming from her mouth, finds her identity in having sex with others, and thinks she is all that and a bag of chips.  It is an ugly character to have.

Proverbs 21 says this:  A haughty (dictionary: haughty) look, a proud heart And the plowing of the wicked are sin. Even says something about our attitude and the way we should behave.

This is the upside.  Look into Proverbs 31 verse 10 and 11.  "Her" stands for woman and what a beautiful thing to be compared to?  Looking further it talks about how we should be trusted. This is a good time to highlight the good stuff in your bible. You will want to remember what the Lord says is good.
Is this how you want to be viewed, worth more than rubies and trusted? I sure did.  I got so tired of being mistrusted, feeling worthless and ready to commit suicide. I wanted something more and better. It wasn't until I found what I needed to change and found where to look for the answers that my life began to change for the better. Your life can change too but centering your life around Jesus Christ.

If you have a concordance book or can use the online Biblegateway or download e-sword onto your computer, you can look up words, scriptures, search words within the passages, and so much more.  This is a great tool to use to find out what God has to say about you.  The last scripture I encourage you look up within the concordance is what God says about you and an "apple".  

Enjoy your study, you are now on your own for a while.

~Be encouraged you are on the road to a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ.