Part Four: Kissing God’s Boo-Boo
Little Johnny came running into the front room screaming his lungs out for his mother, “Mommy, mommy!”
Startled, she looked up and put her cup of coffee back down on the end table and held out her arms toward him. “What’s the matter honey? What’s wrong?”
Johnny ran into his mom’s outstretched arms and shoved his hand toward her face. His index finger was red and swollen. Like so many injuries sustained by young children, the damage had already been done and there was nothing she could do but verbally comfort him and hold him close to her bosom.
As she sat there holding little Johnny in her lap, she reached into the momma’s arsenal of tricks and asked him in a sympathetic tone, “Do you want me to kiss your boo-boo?”
“Yes mommy,” Johnny sniffled with tears running down his cheeks.
I can only speculate as to the boo-boos that we give God when we go against His will and disobey Him. Because of predestination, God knows when we will disobey Him.
However, it still pains Him that we do because He is a holy God [Psalms 99:9]. With seven billion plus people on Earth, I can’t imagine the pain that man inflicts on God daily. We kiss God’s boo-boos by repenting and by living in His will, which brings us to the question of the hour, “What is the will of God for our lives?”
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. . . [1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV]
Sanctification has to do with holiness and living a surrendered life for Christ. Yet so many believers equate the will of God with their purpose in life and what they think God wants them to do for Him. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Purpose is our will and it is only what we want to do for God in the natural. However, God does have a plan and a purpose for our lives [Jeremiah 29:11] and gives us the desires of our heart (purpose) [Psalms 37:4], to help and serve the body of Christ. Does this mean that we should not seek that purpose? Heavens no!
Now purpose is a good thing but when the Bible speaks about the will of God it is talking about doing what pleases Him. God’s Word is replete with things that please Him. For example, it pleases God and it is His will for our lives that we preach the Gospel to every living creature, conform ourselves to the image of Christ [Romans 8:29], and live a surrendered and sanctified life in Christ.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of Earth.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. [Colossians 3:1-3 NLT]
We need to refocus and work on accomplishing God’s will for our lives and not our will for our lives. When we do, watch things change in our lives. It’s all about Christ and “What can I do for you today Lord? Lead me in Thy paths, truth, and understanding.”
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever [1 John 2:17 NLT].
The NLT says, “. . .But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” This means to live in the love of God forever and no one can pluck him out of God’s love [Romans 8:35]. Hebrews 11:6 declares that it is impossible to please God without faith. Faith is the conduit from our soul to the Spirit. The more we activate our faith to reach the Spirit that dwells within us, the more we will conform to the image of Christ and the more we will please God, operate in His will, and the more we kiss His boo-boos.
Next week we’ll talk about stinkin thinkin and grasshoppers.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
THE MYSTERY OFGOD'S WILL
Part Three: How Can We Know God’s will?
Probably the second most asked question in Christendom is, “How can we know God’s will?” We have already learned that God’s will for our lives are to preach the Gospel to every living creature and that we conform to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
This week, let’s let God tell us in His own Words what His will is for our lives. Here is a check list for knowing God’s will for our lives.
Salvation
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9].
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service [John 1:12, 13].
Surrender
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Romans 12:1-2].
Separation
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. . . [1 Thessalonians 4:3a]:
Sincerity
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself [John 7:17].
Search the Scriptures for His will
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths [Proverbs 3:5-6].
Communicate in prayer
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him [1 John 5:14-15].
Listen to the Holy Spirit leading
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God [Romans 8:14].
Look for God’s guidance in the counsel of others
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety [Proverbs 11:14].
Besides preaching the Gospel, conforming to image of God’s Son, and the previous eight steps to finding the will of God, a person can also know the will of God through His commandments and through other words used to translate the word “will,” one of which is “purpose.”
Here are some commandment Scriptures for you to check if you are interested in the will of God: Deuteronomy 5:7-21; Psalms 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:15, 16; Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 2:13, and etc. These and many more commandments illustrate the will of God.
One word in the Bible translated will is the word “purpose.” Check 2 Timothy 1:9. The word purpose in this Scripture means that God set before Himself a plan and begins to work it out. God has a plan for each of those who He calls to His purpose and will.
Last week, we learned that God has a plan for each of our lives [Jeremiah 29:11]. Next week, in the final installment of “The Mystery of God’s Will,” we will learn of His will for our individual lives. You may be surprised.
. . .The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will [Acts 22:14].
Probably the second most asked question in Christendom is, “How can we know God’s will?” We have already learned that God’s will for our lives are to preach the Gospel to every living creature and that we conform to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
This week, let’s let God tell us in His own Words what His will is for our lives. Here is a check list for knowing God’s will for our lives.
Salvation
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9].
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service [John 1:12, 13].
Surrender
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Romans 12:1-2].
Separation
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. . . [1 Thessalonians 4:3a]:
Sincerity
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself [John 7:17].
Search the Scriptures for His will
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths [Proverbs 3:5-6].
Communicate in prayer
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him [1 John 5:14-15].
Listen to the Holy Spirit leading
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God [Romans 8:14].
Look for God’s guidance in the counsel of others
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety [Proverbs 11:14].
Besides preaching the Gospel, conforming to image of God’s Son, and the previous eight steps to finding the will of God, a person can also know the will of God through His commandments and through other words used to translate the word “will,” one of which is “purpose.”
Here are some commandment Scriptures for you to check if you are interested in the will of God: Deuteronomy 5:7-21; Psalms 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:15, 16; Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 2:13, and etc. These and many more commandments illustrate the will of God.
One word in the Bible translated will is the word “purpose.” Check 2 Timothy 1:9. The word purpose in this Scripture means that God set before Himself a plan and begins to work it out. God has a plan for each of those who He calls to His purpose and will.
Last week, we learned that God has a plan for each of our lives [Jeremiah 29:11]. Next week, in the final installment of “The Mystery of God’s Will,” we will learn of His will for our individual lives. You may be surprised.
. . .The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will [Acts 22:14].
Monday, May 13, 2013
THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S WILL
Part Two: Conform to His Image
You’re here reading this blog and you somehow feel lost with no direction. You feel like you have no purpose in life, let alone in God’s Kingdom. Some of you might even be upset with God because you do not feel like He is moving in your life and you can’t seem to feel His presence as much anymore. You’re saying, “Lord, what’s wrong with me? Why are you not using me? Does your will even have a plan for my life?”
You can be rest assured that God does have a plan for your life and the Bible affirms this truth quite succinctly.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV].
Last week, we learned that when we are unsure about our purpose and God’s will for our lives, we can know that there is at least a generic plan for all believers through last week’s Scripture, Mark 16:15. God’s will and plan for all of our lives are not only to preach the Gospel to every living creature, but we are to conform to the image of His Son. We are not to conform to the works of the flesh [Galatians 5:19-21].
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Romans 12:2 KJV].
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified [Romans 8:27-30 KJV].
This begs the questions, “What is the image of God to which we are to conform, and how do we ultimately conform to that image?”
For one, God is a Spirit. . .[John 4:24] and an image is a reflection, a mirror if you will, of the object that you want to duplicate.
Therefore, if God is a Spirit, then we must duplicate the attributes of His image. Galatians 5:22, 23 give us this image and the works of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We cannot take anyone where we haven’t been. We must be the example for others to follow. How do we renew our minds, duplicate His attributes, and conform to the image of God’s Son? By using the fruit of the Spirit,
. . .let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves [Galatians 5:16 NLT].
You’re here reading this blog and you somehow feel lost with no direction. You feel like you have no purpose in life, let alone in God’s Kingdom. Some of you might even be upset with God because you do not feel like He is moving in your life and you can’t seem to feel His presence as much anymore. You’re saying, “Lord, what’s wrong with me? Why are you not using me? Does your will even have a plan for my life?”
You can be rest assured that God does have a plan for your life and the Bible affirms this truth quite succinctly.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV].
Last week, we learned that when we are unsure about our purpose and God’s will for our lives, we can know that there is at least a generic plan for all believers through last week’s Scripture, Mark 16:15. God’s will and plan for all of our lives are not only to preach the Gospel to every living creature, but we are to conform to the image of His Son. We are not to conform to the works of the flesh [Galatians 5:19-21].
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Romans 12:2 KJV].
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified [Romans 8:27-30 KJV].
This begs the questions, “What is the image of God to which we are to conform, and how do we ultimately conform to that image?”
For one, God is a Spirit. . .[John 4:24] and an image is a reflection, a mirror if you will, of the object that you want to duplicate.
Therefore, if God is a Spirit, then we must duplicate the attributes of His image. Galatians 5:22, 23 give us this image and the works of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We cannot take anyone where we haven’t been. We must be the example for others to follow. How do we renew our minds, duplicate His attributes, and conform to the image of God’s Son? By using the fruit of the Spirit,
. . .let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves [Galatians 5:16 NLT].
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)