John 6:38 (NASB) For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
If Jesus the Christ wouldn't do whatever He wanted while on this earth, why do we think it's okay for us? We continually and consistently do what we think is best, or what someone else has told us is the proper thing to do. There has got to come a time in your Christian life when you make up in your mind that you are going to do the will of the Father.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Do we mean it when we pray it? I often catch myself serving me instead of serving my God. What is best for the furtherance of the Kingdom should be the driving force in my decision making process. The problem that I have, maybe you as well, is that the flesh rises up on a daily basis and tries to take over. I want this, or I want that. My family needs ABC, or XYZ would make my life easier. Why is God's will so often an afterthought?
God's way truly is the best way, and if we would seek His will in every decision we must make (great and small), I think we'll find that our lives couldn't be any better. I didn't say easier or more comfortable, but BETTER. If we seek God with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13), we will find Him - and His will for our lives. If we walk in God's will for our lives, we walk in God's blessings for our lives. We expect God to bless whatever plans we make, as long as we're good people doing the right things at the right times. That's nice, but that isn't seeking God for direction.
Seek God's will for your life, and you will end up where He wants you to be at the right time to accomplish what He would have you to do for His purpose. We were created for His pleasure, not our own. He wants to shower us with every good thing, but we must do things His way. We have to fight our flesh daily, crucify it daily, kick it to the curb daily. The only way we will seek God's will above our own is to let the Holy Spirit have control of our thoughts, processes, and plans. We must submit ourselves in order to submit to God's will.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I'm Working Out
Philippians 2:12 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
It's easy to do what's right when somebody is watching, but what happens when we think we are alone? Following Jesus Christ involves obeying Him at all times. Although works do not save us, we must continually work out. Our spiritual fitness depends on it. We don't want to become lazy, complacent, and out of shape.
Salvation is a free gift of God for those who accept it. Once that critical life choice is made, we must begin to put our faith into action, working out our own salvation. We must revere God and His holiness, being very conscious to obey His commands. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, so He is always watching. Reading your Bible at church is wonderful, but are you reading at home? Not cussing in front of your kids is great, but what happens in traffic? (GUILTY) Praying in Sunday School is beautiful, but how's that prayer life at home? Not shoplifting in the store is fantastic, but what about those pens in your pocket from work?
We must perpetually press toward that mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. We have to work out daily in our study of God's Word, in our meditation on His law, in our communication with Him in prayer. The awesome thing about this journey is that we have a helper, a comforter, a convictor, an educator: the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ knew we wouldn't be able to obey the law of the Lord in our own strength, so He sent us the precious Holy Ghost. We need to listen to him and heed his direction. It's all a part of the work out, which will increase our stamina, improve our function, and bring clarity to our purpose.
It's easy to do what's right when somebody is watching, but what happens when we think we are alone? Following Jesus Christ involves obeying Him at all times. Although works do not save us, we must continually work out. Our spiritual fitness depends on it. We don't want to become lazy, complacent, and out of shape.
Salvation is a free gift of God for those who accept it. Once that critical life choice is made, we must begin to put our faith into action, working out our own salvation. We must revere God and His holiness, being very conscious to obey His commands. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, so He is always watching. Reading your Bible at church is wonderful, but are you reading at home? Not cussing in front of your kids is great, but what happens in traffic? (GUILTY) Praying in Sunday School is beautiful, but how's that prayer life at home? Not shoplifting in the store is fantastic, but what about those pens in your pocket from work?
We must perpetually press toward that mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. We have to work out daily in our study of God's Word, in our meditation on His law, in our communication with Him in prayer. The awesome thing about this journey is that we have a helper, a comforter, a convictor, an educator: the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ knew we wouldn't be able to obey the law of the Lord in our own strength, so He sent us the precious Holy Ghost. We need to listen to him and heed his direction. It's all a part of the work out, which will increase our stamina, improve our function, and bring clarity to our purpose.
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