On Fire for God (James 5:16)
James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.. In 1935, Blasio Kugosi, a school teacher in Rwanda, Central Africa, was deeply discouraged by the lack of zeal in the church and the ineffectiveness of his own life. He followed the example of the first Christians by seeking the Lord's power in his life. He closed himself in seclusion for a week of prayer and fasting in his little bungalow. Revival gripped his heart, mind, and soul. He emerged a changed man. The bungalow became a furnace for God which set him on fire spiritually. He confessed his sins to those he had wronged, including his wife and children. He proclaimed the Gospel in the school where he taught, and revival broke out there, resulting in students and teachers being saved. They were called abaka, meaning "people on fire." Shortly after that, Blasio was invited to Uganda to share with other Christians what God had been doing. As he called the leaders to repentance, the fire of the Holy Spirit breathed again on the place, with similar results as in Rwanda. Several days later, Blasio died of fever. His ministry lasted only a few weeks, but the revival fires sparked through his ministry swept throughout East Africa and continue to the present. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been transformed over the decades through this mighty East African revival. It all began with a discouraged Christian setting himself apart to seek the Lord and the fullness of God's Spirit in his life. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Effectual fervent has the sense of being ‘energized.’ What James is driving at is that effective prayer is fervent and from the heart. When a man will pour out his heart in prayer, God tends to hear the same. James then refers to a “righteous man.” He no doubt intends one righteous in his position in Christ; being justified. But he also likely refers to one righteous in his living, who is pleasing to God. When a Christian, one righteous not only in his position but also in his person, comes to God in fervent energized prayer, that prayer will avail much. The word availeth literally means to be ‘strong.’ In other words, prayer that is so strong it accomplishes what was intended. “I’d rather be able to pray than be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught His disciples how to preach, but only how to pray.”--D. L. Moody Prayer is hard work and takes energy. God desires that we seek Him out. Nothing will impact your life more than seeking the LORD and the sweet fellowship we have with Him. Those who seek the Lord will achieve understanding and clarity. God gives wisdom. Deuteronomy 4:29, But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. They will also find Him. Proverbs 8:17, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. The word "find" means "to discover, understand, to recognize, to gain knowledge." He wants us to find Him and know Him. “There is more that you can do after you pray, but there is nothing you can do until you pray.”--Dr. Curtis Hutson Seeking the Lord is the greatest of all searches. There is no doubt that God wants every Christian to seek Him and to be right with Him. When we confess our sins to Him, He will hear us and cleanse us every time (I John 1:9). When it comes to our physical burdens God may lift them, lighten them, or leave them. In each case He will supply us with His grace and help us to move forward with our life. We need to trust God and realize that He knows what is best for our life. We need to pray with an urgent desire and not be apathetic in our approach. God wants us to come to him with passion (Hebrews 4:16). May we be bold in our praying. God encourages us to pray and lets us know that He wants to answer and do great things in our life (Jeremiah 33:3). God not only can answer our prayers but do far more than we expect (Ephesians 3:20). One of the great tragedies of modern-day Christianity is that we simply do not pray as we should. The Lord has placed all of the power and resources of Heaven at our disposal to do His work, yet we “have not, because we ask not”. The greatest enemy to answered prayer is unbelief. The Devil cannot keep God from answering our prayers, so he seeks to keep us from asking. He does all that he can to prevent our prayers. If we have faith enough to ask, we should have faith enough to believe that God hears and knows our need and supplies wisdom in every situation. A lack of faith will always hinder God from working in and through our lives. When we pray, we are not to waver. “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.”--E.M. Bounds PRAYER: Father, I praise You that I can at anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance come to You in prayer. My desire is to keep walking continually with You so that my prayer may be the natural expression of my life with You. In Jesus name, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Be Still, Be Strong, Be Sure, and Be Secure in the LORD (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Isaiah 40:28-31, ... Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. [29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. The word "wait" means "to wait or look eagerly for something or someone; to hope or expect." The flavor of this word indicates persistence. Eagerness or expectation provoke persistence. David talked often about “waiting on God.” He said he was waiting on God all day and desired that none that waited on God would be ashamed (Psalm 25:3). Over and over again we read of David waiting on God. To wait on the LORD is to trust Him. Waiting on God is essential to trusting Him. David was pleading for God to lead him. All day, we should be in the habit of waiting on God. We should be looking eagerly for what God is going to do, how God is going to lead us, what God is going to teach us. Psalm 25:5, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Before starting her perfume business, Estee Lauder had to persuade a cosmetics buyer to place her products in many stores throughout the country. At 9 A.M., Lauder was in the offices of the American Merchandising Corporation, waiting to see Marie Weston, the cosmetics buyer. Since Lauder had no appointment, she was advised to come back another day. "I don't mind waiting," said Lauder. "I'll wait until she has a few free moments." Salespeople came and went. At lunchtime, the receptionist said Weston's schedule was so full that getting in to see her was impossible. Again, Lauder was told to come back later. "I'll wait a little longer," she persisted. Hours passed. At 5:15 P.M. Marie Weston came out of her office. She looked at Estee Lauder in disbelief, then admiration, and said, "Well, do come in. Such patience must be rewarded." Weston was impressed with Lauder's cosmetics, but there was no room in any of the stores. Come back later, she was encouraged. Of course, Estee did. Soon, Weston found room in several stores. Business began to boom. The Estee Lauder name became famous in the world of cosmetics because she was persistent in waiting. Psalm 112:7-8, ...He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. The word "fixed" in Psalm 112:7 means "to be firm, stable, or established." In Psalm 112:8, the word "established" means "to lean upon, to rest, to refresh or revive." The psalmist was not overwhelmed by fear and anxiety in times of trouble because his trust was in the Lord and not in himself, or in outward circumstances. Our stability and rest come from putting our security in Christ. The one who fears God will not fear circumstances or people because his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. We, too, are to be persistent in waiting on God when we need His strength and serenity. This is not easy for many people because they tend to be impatient or reliant on something else for their strength. God wants us to be persistent in being still and waiting on Him to direct our lives and provide for our needs. In spite of our fears and worries, God wants us to be persistent in trusting Him. Our trust, our sureness or security is solid and stable when it is placed in the Saviour. When we put our trust in the Lord, it gives us stability and serenity. Life is never easy nor fair. There will be problems and hardships. But no matter how bad things get, we serve and trust a God who has overcome. We must determine to press forward in spite of the obstacles, knowing God can use them to accomplish an even greater purpose through us. Take heart and don’t lose sight, for God can demonstrate His power through your perseverance. Questions to Consider: · In what parts of your life are you practicing endurance? · What is your plan for walking close to Christ right to the end? Points to Ponder:
Prayer: Lord, Help me lean on to You with everything I’ve got, living out my faith in You one day at a time. Never let me lose my sense of dependence on You. Keep me pressing on as I follow in Your Son’s steps, realizing it is Your plan to use my time here to grow me into someone more and more like Him. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 5 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”.
Lessons on Finding & Fulfilling God’s Will (James 4:8) – PART 5 James 4:8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Years ago, a man got a job as a state worker with the DOT painting the yellow lines on the highways. The foreman took him to his starting point and told him to start here and begin painting in this direction. After a few days work the foreman came to the man and had a talk with him. He said, ‘John, we need to talk about your work. The 1st day you did real well and you painted 3 miles of line. The 2nd day you didn't do too bad, you painted 2 miles of line. John, I reviewed your work today and found that on the 3rd day you only painted 1 mile of line. What seems to be the problem?’ John replied, ‘Well sir, I’m not painting as much because I keep getting further away from the paint can.” James gives us the Biblical prescription for having a close walk with Jesus. 4. We must draw nigh to God (James 4:8). Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. When it comes to the believer’s relationship with the Lord, God never says, "You have gone too far this time!" When we take one step toward God, we find He has been waiting for us to do so, and He will quickly come near to us. Luke 15:20, And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. What a wonderful promise! As we seek to get close to God, He will draw close to us. God is always willing to come into closeness with us as we first seek Him. However, He requires for us to first initiate such action. It is called repentance. The inward witness of the Spirit is most clearly heard when you are quiet before Him in prayer. Prayer is like a clean windshield when you are seeking God's will. It allows you to see the road and the signs clearly without distortion or distraction. Prayer is like a rush of brisk air from a rolled down window. Prayer arouses your alertness to the signs. It brings the drowsy 'driver' back to full alertness. It is annoying to attempt to read a sign that is just a bit too far away, or to try to understand the words of someone who is slightly out of hearing range. The problem is distance. Distance complicates communication. In relationships, time spent apart affects fellowship. When a couple is withdrawn from one other, not enjoying their marriage relationship with each other, this will inevitably lead to a lack of marriage communication. On the other hand, it is a pleasure to watch a couple who has grown in their love through the years. They communicate on a level unknown by couples who simply live at the same address. Often one spouse can sense how the other feels about a matter without even having to ask. Such people are able to communicate with each other with the slightest squeeze of the hand, the smallest facial expression, or even a certain glance of the eye. Such is the level of communion desired by the Lord, our personal Guide. He desires that our communion be so close that even the slightest glance of His eye will communicate His will to us. In Psalm 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. This guidance is possible only when we are close to the Lord. When our degree of fellowship with Him is intimate so that we are walking by His side, then we will be aware of the slightest communication from the Holy Spirit. Nothing compares or replaces closeness to the Lord. The closer you are to Him, the closer you will be to finding certainty in the knowledge of His will. If you cannot quite hear God's leading, draw a little closer to Him. Keep in mind, that as you draw closer to the Lord, He will draw closer to you as well (James 4:8). An elderly couple was driving down the road one Saturday afternoon site seeing. The man’s wife began to reflect on their lives, and she said, ‘Henry, do you remember when we use to be closer than we are now. We used to communicate better; we use to show our affection for one another.’ Henry replied, ‘I’m where I’ve always been, sitting in the same place, you’re the one that’s moved!” Is there an obstacle between you and the Lord right now? Has a failure complicated your hopes of a healthy relationship with God? If you’re ready for reconciliation, Jesus has been waiting. He hasn’t given up on you. He is ready to welcome you and place you into service again. Don’t wait another day to tell Him how much you love Him. Points to Ponder: ·If we do not have a close walk with the Lord, it is not His fault, but ours. ·He has not changed, moved, or pushed us away. ·We are the ones who change, move, and push Him away. ·Today let us return to Jesus and began to have a closer walk with Him. Questions to Consider: ·How’s your walk with the Lord this morning? ·Are you experiencing God’s presence, power, and purpose in your life? ·Do you feel like you are further away from God than you ever have been? ·Do you feel like there was a time in your life that you were closer to Jesus? Prayer, Lord, I don’t want wander away from You, but if I do, restore me. I long to remain faithful. Thank You for Your patience, timing, and toughness in restoring me, Lord. Lead me to a life of steadfast service to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank you for reading this 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 4 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”.
Lessons on Finding & Fulfilling God’s Will (Proverbs 19:20-21) – PART 4 3. God uses godly counsel to instruct us. Proverbs 19:20-21, Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. A young couple took their car out for a Sunday ride one afternoon. While driving on a country road the car’s engine suddenly died. The young man got out to look at the car, but to his frustration, he didn’t have any idea what to do to get it running again. An older man passing by stopped and offered to help with the car, but the young driver didn’t seem interested. So, Henry Ford, the maker of that car went on his way, and the wise advice and help he could easily have given was never received. Too often we’re tempted to think, “I don’t want anyone’s input!” I’ve already got my mind made up. I already know what I want to do. If I ask for advice, someone might tell me my plan is a bad idea. The foolish person doesn’t seek or listen to counsel from others before making an important decision. Don’t be indecisive—or decisive on your own. Below are three Scriptures and regarding heeding wise counsels and the consequences of refusing them: Proverbs 11:14, Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Fools think they don’t need advice, while wise men seek counsel. Without sound counsel, failure is likely. Likewise, multiple counselors give further insight. Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Fools do not take criticism well. They buck when corrected. They tend to be proud and self-righteous. The wise person will listen to criticism and correction. Proverbs 13:20, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. It’s been said, “We will become like the books we read, the movies we watch, the friends we keep, and the media we listen to.” The company we keep does influence us. Bad company corrupts good character. Those who run with fools will eventually be destroyed by their sin (I Corinthians 15:33; Psalm 1:1). A great problem existing today is that many people lack wisdom.
Advice is all around us. We're constantly bombarded with advice. Yet what advice we heed makes a vital difference in our lives. The Bible says much on the subject of counsel and places a priority on the voice to whom you listen. Be so careful with whose advice you follow and make sure any choice you make follows God's commands. Remember that even one bit of heeded bad advice can take you off God's path for your life. Psalm 16:7, I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. Proverbs 15:22, Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. Proverbs 24:6, For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety. People can learn wisdom in three ways: 1. From the Bible - This way is the BEST way. 2. From the mistakes of others - This way is a GOOD way. 3. From your own mistakes- The WORST way. Those who admit they do not know everything and seek godly counsel protect themselves from destruction. Many of the decisions that we make each day are determined by the advice we receive; may we choose to regard wise counsel. Much of the course of our lives is determined by the input we get when making decisions and whether we heed wise counsel when we receive it. Refusing to listen to godly counsel places us on a pathway to destruction. Each of us has a heart that is deceitful and subject to being deceived, for this reason counsel is so important, so that we can evaluate the situation and respond from a Biblical perspective. When we try to learn from those who do not have knowledge and wisdom, we end up worse off than we were when we started. Those who learn from fools will simply become more foolish. Bob Jones Sr. said, “Education without God makes men clever devils.” There is no source of true wisdom apart from God. When we seek the Lord’s counsel, He promises to bless. But when we attempt to handle matters ourselves, our purposes are disappointed. Are you in a difficult situation right now? Commit the matter to God. God is faithful and faithful He will forever be! Points to Ponder: It’s no mistake God has placed wise people in your life. You must decide to listen and learn from their counsel. Listen and learn from those who are instructing you in godly wisdom. Questions to Consider: Who are the wise, trustworthy advisers in your life? Who are the solid Christians who want what’s best for you? Who do you listen to for counsel and advice? Are they living to glorify God or is their advice based on selfish motives? Who cares more about what God wants for you than what you selfishly want? Advisers don’t indulge you; they instruct you. PRAYER: Lord God, thank You for the godly people that You have allowed to come into my life. Help me to walk in Your instructions and live a life pleasing unto You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 4 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 5. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 3 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”.
Lessons on Finding & Fulfilling God’s Will (I Corinthians 2:12) – PART 3 The Bible is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. There are times when we need the specifics. There are times when we need to know the direction where to take the next step. There are times when we need the exact name of the place to go. There are some things in life that we will not discover any other way than the Holy Spirit teaching them to us through personal study of and the preaching of God’s Word. The Lord uses the Scriptures and His Spirit to guide, fill, and accomplish the Father’s will in the believer’s life. This is where the Holy Spirit of God illuminates a specific Scripture and makes it speak directly to the need of the moment and He gives us peace concerning the matter. 2. God uses His Spirit to instruct us. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (I Corinthians 2:12). We are instructed to follow the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14; John 16:13). Jesus didn’t leave us here as orphans. He gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever (John 14:16–18, 26). The Holy Spirit is always present to give guidance in our lives. The Holy Spirit not only influences us to seek God’s way, but He leads us into all truth and teaches us the things we ought to know (I John 2:27). John is not saying that we do not need a teacher. One of the gifts of the Spirit is the “gift of teaching”. He is saying the Holy Spirit will give you an anointing whereby you will be able to understand all truth. God will never tell you to do something contrary to His Word. Sometimes God, in His grace, uses results to give us an undeserved second chance. At times we run ahead of God in a decision and bypass the will of God due to our impatience. Results have a way of bringing us up short, informing us abruptly that we have lost our way. They are like the rude awakening experienced by the driver who suddenly discovers that the unfinished expressway has ended. Immediately he realizes how foolish he has been to drive around that warning sign encountered earlier. This can be a manifestation of God's grace, for in many cases, we can return to the point where the wrong decision was made and begin again. We still lose time, but God mercifully allows us to return to the right road of His will. God may also show His grace by closing a door in our face which otherwise would have led to disaster. Although, we often get frustrated when this occurs, we should give thanks. God does not continually run around slamming doors to protect us from our own foolishness or disobedience. God knows that often a burn on the hand or a good spanking teaches a mischievous child far more effectively than a thousand artificial roadblocks. Of course, such roadblocks will not be needed if we are sincere and obedient before God. Many people claim to want the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but they fail to be obedient to His Word and follow the Holy Spirits leading. Yet these are the very tools the Spirit of God uses to guide us. If you’re not willing to follow the leading of the Scriptures, then you’re not giving the Spirit much to work with. A park ranger at Yellowstone National Park was leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. As the group neared the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger. Any time we tune out the Holy Spirit or ignore the warnings of the Bible, we put ourselves and those around us in danger. If you insist on deciding against God’s Word and wise counsel, then the results will be entirely your own fault. God desires to speak to you through His Word and by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit seeks to guide us to greater blessings if we will listen to His leading. If you aren't in tune with God and daily walking in His Spirit, you can miss His leading. As a Christian, your life is guided by the Holy Spirit's work in your life, but if you aren't careful, you can often tune out God's leading. Questions to Consider: Are you daily listening to the Spirit's leading? Are you reading God's Word and attentively listening to it being preached? Points to Ponder: Keep a tender heart to God's work and follow whatever direction He leads you. You'll never go wrong by following the Holy Spirit. PRAYER: Lord God, Your Spirit leads me. Help me to rely on Your Spirit, Who is always with me. May Your will be done on earth and in my life, I pray in the name of Jesus, the light of the world, amen. Thank you for reading PART 3 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 4. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 2 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”.
Lessons on Finding & Fulfilling God’s Will – PART 2 God has a plan and design for your life. You are not a leaf that fell by chance to be scattered by the wind. Scripture says the steps of a good man are “ordered” by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). Much of the will of God is wrapped up in becoming the Christian we ought to be. If are being the Christian we should be, we will be doing what we should do and end up where we ought to end up. Psalm 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. If you have ever had trouble determining God’s will for your life you’re not alone. How in the world do we know what God wants? To know God’s will, we must totally surrender to God’s will. Too often, our tendency is to make God’s decision for Him. When we walk, we do so because we are headed somewhere. That is direction. God has promised to instruct us and guide us in the way we should go. That guidance is by His very omniscient eye. He who knows all and sees all knows far better than we, the path to take. We should never go to God with options and expect Him to choose one of our preferences. When we go to Him, we should approach Him with empty hands—no hidden agendas, no crossed fingers, nothing behind your back. Go to Him with a willingness to do whatever He says. If you surrender your will, then He will “make you perfect in every good work to do his will,…” Hebrews 13:21 How do we receive this direction from the Lord?
A light on a path simply shows us the direction in which we are going, but a lamp shows us the next step. A light, no matter how bright, will not show us all the twists and turns ahead on the road, but it will give us a general sense of direction. Notice: That is what the Bible does. It lights the sinners path to Christ; it lights the Christians path to glory. Proverbs 4:18, But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Psalm 37:23, The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 119:101, I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. Psalm 133, Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Proverbs 3:5-6, 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 16:9, A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. When we follow the guidance of Scriptures, we will never get off track. The only way to guarantee that we do not go off track is to have the truth that will guide us. Just as a compass can guide us through dark and uncharted paths, God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. Therefore, we must simply trust it—over our feelings, over our own wisdom, and over contrary advice others may give us. Because the Bible is inspired by God, it is without error, and we can always trust it. The Bible does not unroll the whole map of life before us. If it did we would be too scared because we would see the tests, trials, and deep dark valleys along the way. God did not begin with Abraham by asking him to give up his son, but he did by asking him to give up his father. Years later he asked him to offer up his son. Keep a list of particular passages that have given you direction. The Scriptures help you see where your feet are standing and where the path leads. God may not show you miles ahead on the path, but He’ll show you the next step. God does not give roadmaps, but, as you follow Him, He will reveal His will unto you. In the wilderness wanderings, He used a pillar of cloud by day and fire at night (Exodus 13:21). PRAYER: Lord, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Thank You that You don’t leave me in the dark, alone. You give me light. Your Word instructs me. Help me to follow Your Word. May Your will be done on earth and in my life, In Jesus name I pray, AMEN! Thank you for reading PART 2 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 3. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 1 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”.
Lessons on Finding & Fulfilling God’s Will – PART 1 Ephesians 5:17, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the LORD is. One of the most common questions people ask me is, “What is God’s will for my life?” The reality is that all of us need guidance and direction, and that is why God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to help apply it to our circumstances and decisions. No one has ever gone wrong by following the Bible’s instructions. The reason is because the Bible is an infallible guide for our life, containing all that we need to please God. It is the Word of God that makes us wise (Proverbs 2:6). The Christian will never do the will of God until he or she understands what God's will is. So many people have missed the will of God because they do not know the Word of God. There are a lot of good books out there and I enjoy reading good, however, no other book can do what the Bible does. The Bible is:
Many today seem to believe that it is impossible to fully know the will of God. They appear to think that if someone isn't able to reveal God's will for their lives then they will never know or understand it. Paul says we are to have understanding. The word understanding is defined by Webster as, comprehending; apprehending the ideas or sense of another, or of a writing; learning or being informed. The believer must understand what God's will is. We are faced with situations daily. Therefore, we need to know wisdom and how to apply it to our lives. God's will is available and it is understandable. However, we must look in the right places if we are to find and understand it. It is our obligation to obtain that understanding and live by it. All believers are responsible to pray for and seek the will of God in their lives. The best choices we can make are the wise choices. We make wise choices by understanding what the will of the Lord is by seeking God’s view on a matter. God's will is found within His Word. If you want to be wise concerning the will of God, seek His will within His Word. God has certain things He wants to accomplish in the world. God has certain things He wants to achieve in our lives. God has certain precepts He wants us to live by so that we can get the most out of life. God has certain ways He wants us to relate to others. God has certain responses He wants us to make in the crises of life. All of these things can be summarized in the one phrase: "the Lord's will." What is God’s will for my life? Am I even traveling on the right path? When I come to a fork in the road, which choice should I make? How do I receive this direction from the Lord? Here are three ways the Lord instructs us in the way that He is leading us. 1. God uses His Word to instruct us. 2. God uses His Spirit to instruct us. 3. God uses godly counsel to instruct us. On an overcast night, a ship was fighting rough seas as it approached the narrow entrance to a harbor. To the inexperienced passenger, the chances of finding and navigating the path to safety seemed remote at best. The slightest miscalculation could result in disaster. The captain, calm and relaxed, was asked by the nervous passenger, “Captain, 'Sir, how do you know when to guide the ship into the harbor entrance?” The captain pointed to the random dots of light on the dark shore. 'Do you see those three brightest lights there on the land?' The passenger looked, then nodded. 'I have learned,' continued the captain, 'to steer my ship parallel to the shore until those three lights all line up as one. When the three lights agree, then I know that I can guide my ship safely into the narrow entrance of the harbor.' So it is with God's will. When you have agreement among the three lights of God's Word, godly counsel, and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, you can proceed with confidence. Sure, other road signs may add support, but those three are essential. If one of those signs does not agree with the others, you should assume that something is wrong. If, for instance, you feel that the Spirit is prompting you, and that circumstances are positive, but your course of action violates God's Word, you can be certain that it is not God's will. Obeying this principle will save you great heartache and bring confidence into your decision making. It is exciting to watch God's Word, circumstances, and the inward witness slowly move into perfect alignment. With such agreement there is certainty that you have found the narrow entrance into God's perfect individual will. PRAYER, Lord God, thank You that Your will for my life is not a mystery. Please forgive me for resenting and resisting Your attempts to change me. I choose now to cooperate fully with Your desire to transform me. Anything You want to teach me, I am willing to learn. Anything You want to change in me, I am available to receive. Thank You for loving me enough to make me more and more like Jesus, in whose name I pray, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 1 of the 5 PART Series titled “Lessons on Finding and Fulfilling God’s Will”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 2. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Thrust Your Trust Onto The Lord (Luke 18:17)
Luke 18:17, Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. D. L. Moody once returned from a meeting and reported two and a half conversions. “Two adults and a child, I suppose?” asked his host. “No,” said Moody, “two children and an adult. The children gave their whole lives. The adult had only half of his left to give.” What does this verse mean? Does it mean that we will all become children in Heaven? I don't think so at all. Abraham and Lazarus were not children when the rich man in Hell saw them. We do, however, need to have the attitude of a child. When it comes to the Lord and having faith, children can be great teachers. Children teach us how we are to come to Christ. Your kids will receive a gift that you offer them. If you offer your child an ice cream cone, he doesn’t say, “I don’t believe in ice cream.” He doesn’t say, “What’s the catch?” He doesn’t wonder if you might be poisoning him. He doesn’t worry about the lack of nutrition or the fact that it may cause cavities. He doesn’t feel like he has to pay you back. A child will trust you and instantly receive your gift and enjoy it. Adults aren’t that way. We’re too proud or too skeptical to accept gifts. If someone gives us a gift, we feel uncomfortable unless we can even the score. Or, we wonder, “What’s the catch? Nothing is absolutely free!” The Gospel is! God provides everything, all we can do is receive it in simple faith, just as children trustingly receive a gift from their parents. You can’t offer to pay God back. You can only trust Him as a loving Father and receive the gift of eternal life that He provides through Jesus Christ. The Bible instructs us that we can learn from children how to come to Christ. Like a satisfied baby in the arms of a loving mother, when you trust in the Lord, you will be blessed. Like the little boy that confidently jumps from a tree with no hesitation into the strong arms of his father. When you live by faith in God, you will be blessed. Children are very trusting and believe things easily. Children can teach us much about faith and unrestrained trust. Their minds are not clouded with skepticism and doubt. We need that attitude with Christ. The way to enter God's kingdom is by trusting in the Lord without restraint or regret. Receive Him readily, and without pride, as a child will accept candy that is offered to him or her. Only those willing in humility to repent before God with simple faith in Him shall have eternal life. The lesson is of repentance, humility, and simple faith. It was a clear rebuke of the self-righteous, hard-hearted form of Judaism which prevailed. The disciples thought children could not come into the kingdom until they were grown-ups. Jesus says, grown-ups cannot come into the kingdom until they become like children. The normal trust and humility of children is how people are to be in regards to heaven. Faith, or trust in Christ, and humility in coming to Christ are required to received His gift of eternal life. We tell children to behave like adults. Christ tells adults to behave like children. This does not mean we are to be childish but rather to be child-like. PRAYER: Father, too often I fail to trust in You when You Word instructs me too. I believe that Your Word is true. Help me to trust in You just like a child trusts completely in a loving parent. Thank You that You are always faithful. I love You! In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com A Surrendered Life (Romans 12:1-2)
Romans 12:1-2, 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. 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. The Scriptures challenge us to yield and do the will of God. Psalm 40:8, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. One man who delighted to do the will of God, no matter what the cost, was Abraham Bininger, a Swiss boy from Zurich. He came with his parents to this country on the same ship with John Wesley. His parents died on the trip and were buried at sea. Young Abraham stepped down the gang-plank alone in a strange and bewildering land. A short time later he decided to take the Gospel to the natives on the island of St. Thomas, but when he got there, he learned that it was illegal for anyone but a slave to preach the Gospel to the slaves. He wrote to the governor of the island begging to become a slave himself that he might have the freedom to proclaim the gospel. The letter was forwarded to the king of Denmark who was so touched by Bininger's desire that he sent an edict to allow him to preach the Gospel where, when, and to whom he chose. This man, who presented his body as a living sacrifice, was greatly used of the Lord. There is no greater joy a person can know than knowing they are doing the will of the Lord. The Lord calls for all of us to be a living sacrifice and to submit ourselves for His service with all our heart. When we surrender our purpose and will to God and allow Him to use us as He sees fit, amazing things happen. The world is shaken, not by the wise, the mighty, the intelligent, or the skilled, but by those who have yielded to God. Paul said it was "reasonable" for us to surrender our lives, but many today seem to think that it is too much to ask. Instead of surrendering, they cling tightly to their own desires and interests. How much better it is both for us, and for a world in need , if we surrender and let God choose our path! Each and every morning, teach yourself to begin your day with a prayer of dedication in which you earnestly and reverently present yourself and all that you are to God’s purposes. Don’t assume that because you did it yesterday, you don’t need to do it today. Every day you to take a step closer to the Lord and make a commitment more serious than the one you made before. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, teach me that I may know how to be more Christlike that I may please You and that You would be glorified. I know that I will never accomplish this without the Holy Spirit. So right now, I yield to Him. In Jesus name, Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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