Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 5
Christians in the Workplace – Part 1 Ephesians 6:5-6, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; A Spirit-filled worker is eager to do a good job. The conduct of a person’s service speaks of the quality of their service. God wants believers to be good employers; doing a good job that would glorify Him. A Christians influence in the workplace results in setting a high standard at work. We can glorify Christ by working reverently because we are working unto Christ. As employees we are to serve with reverence and respect to our employers. This means we must respect authority in the workplace. Christian workers are to be loyal and obedient to their employers. We are to follow their instructions and put in a full day's work for a full day's pay. Laziness and shoddy workmanship are poor testimonies and clear signs a person is not filled with the Spirit. Singleness of heart means we have our minds focused, concentrated on our jobs, and work to the best of our ability. The role of the supervisor is to instruct the employee on what to do, not the other way around. One way we show respect is by not fussing, feuding, or fighting but by shining as lights. The Spirit-filled employee doesn’t only work hard when the employer is watching, but when the supervisor is away. We can glorify Christ by working wholeheartedly. This means the service will be diligent, not lackadaisical. It is not half-hearted service. It is service that does the job right. To glorify Christ, employees must obey without eye service. Those who serve with "eyeservice" (when someone is looking) or as "menpleasers" (to gain the applause of men) will not serve faithfully. They will only serve when someone is looking, or when someone will praise them. Let’s set the scene, imagine gym class. While doing push-ups, the students stay in the up position while the gym teacher is not looking. Many are like that in the workplace. When the supervisor is around, they work diligently, but when the supervisor is not, they crack jokes and play on social media, etc. Believers should endeavor to deliver sixty minutes of work for every hour of pay. The idea here that we don't just work because the boss is watching. We don't serve to be seen of men, we serve because it is the will of God and we know He is watching. In a lifetime, the average employee is at work about 90,000 hours. This means the 90,000 hours, or an average of forty-five work years, we spend at work obeying this passage count as doing service as to the Lord. Do you work without eye service—delivering a day’s work whether your supervisor is around or not? PRAYER, Lord, may I bring Your presence with me to work today. Thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with, work through me in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to serve with the singleness of heart that I might do Your will and glorify 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
0 Comments
Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 4
The Value of a Building a Work Ethic (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Ecclesiastes 9:10, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. In every endeavor of life, give it your all. We only have one life to live, therefore, whatever we do we should do with all our might because when we go to the grave, there will be no working, planning, or wisdom. Work in Genesis 2, came before the curse in Genesis 3. Work was never a curse but a necessary and important part of life and service to God. One way we do that is to work hard, be loyal, and do our best to complete each task. Each of us should be such a good employee that our employers or customers would never consider getting anyone to replace us. The Bible is full with examples of hard workers: David, the shepherd; Amos, the fig farmer; Paul, the tent-maker; Lydia, seller of purple; Jesus, the carpenter. At the end of the day, it’s a good thing to exhaust yourself in meaningful work. Maybe God is motivating you to launch forward in a work of faith for Him. And perhaps the current landscape of today has discouraged you. Remember, when great works of God are accomplished in difficult times, God gets the glory. While even in his eighties, John Wesley complained in his diary that he struggled with being tempted to stay in bed until 5:30 each morning. John Wesley was one of the most faithful and fruitful evangelists of all time. Wesley traveled more than 250,00 miles on horseback, preaching over 4,000 sermons. It was undisputable that Wesley knew the value of hard work. With all the hardships throughout his life, Wesley remained steadfast and diligently did what God had called him to do. Our ultimate purpose for life is that everything we do should be done to honor the Lord. Our earthly work is to be done as though we are laboring for Christ Himself (Ephesians 6:5-7; Colossians 3:23-24). Especially in our day, we should take advantage of every opportunity to reach people for the Lord. You may feel incapable, however, you may be the only person who can reach them for the Lord. Do your part in the Lord’s work and everything you can do to help your church grow and reach your community for Christ. Prayer, Lord, thank You for the work You’ve given me to do. Help me to see it as a commission straight from You. Remind me to work with all my heart as if I’m working directly for Jesus. Forgive me for fixating too much on how I feel about my job, whether it fulfills me and makes me happy. Instead help me to embrace the dignity of my work. I want to work hard, on everything, for Your glory. 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 Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 3
Lessons from the Ant - Part 3 Proverbs 6:6-8, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. God, our Creator, taught many kinds of creatures to care for plants and even trees. For example, the South American Bull’s Horn Acacia Tree is protected by the ant. The ant doesn’t need the tree for its survival, however, they do feed from portions of the tree but never eat too much from the tree to cause damage to the tree. The ants protect the tree by pruning off vines that come too close to the tree allowing plenty of growing room for the tree. These ants are aggressive enough to keep other harmful insects, even birds, away from the tree. In one experiment, entomologists removed the ants from a few of the trees. Ranging from three to twelve months the trees died without the ant’s care and protection. Without the care and protection of the ant’s animals ate all the leaves, and surrounding plants overtook the trees. Without the presence of these ants the tree will not survive. Who taught these ants to care for the trees? You can’t get around this fascinating fact. It was not evolution, but the Creator, who taught these ants to care for the tree. The ant’s success is seen in their: Partnership. Ants help each other carry burdens. i.e. injured neighbors; those buried (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1) Each ant has a job, but none of them are more important than any others. We are all members of one body (I Corinthians 12:12-27). This thing isn’t about you or about me. It is all about Him! Productivity. Each ant works toward a common goal. Thousands of ants may dwell in one ant colony, but every one of them pulls their own weight! You are important to God's work. He will use you according to your ability. As you grow, your responsibility will grow (II Peter 3:18). God has especially gifted and equipped you for some type of work in the body of Christ. Persistence. Ant’s work continually. Ants never quit and they never go on strike! Ants are impossible to stop when food is found. The ant is motivated by hunger! Sprinkle a little sugar on the countertop and leave it there. When one finds it, it will return to the colony and bring hundreds back with it! We are moving under the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:31). In our pursuit of doing God’s will, nothing should ever be able to stop us (no obstacle, or critic) if we are in God's will. We who have tasted and found that the Lord is good need to go back into the colony of the world and tell the others about Him. After all, believers are merely one beggar telling other beggars where to find the Bread of life! Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work You’ve given me to do. Remind me to work with all my heart as if I’m working directly for the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to embrace the dignity of my work. I want to work hard, on everything, for Your glory. 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 Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 2
Lessons from the Ant - Part 2 Proverbs 6:6-8, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. The ant's entire life, which can range up to seven years, is spent working. The ant is the most industrious of all social insects. There are over 11,000 different species of ants. They live in colonies numbering from a few to over 20 million. There are approximately 1 quadrillion ants in the world (10,000,000,000,000,000). Ants are so numerous that scientists say that if all the ants in the Amazon rain forests were weighed, they would weigh four times more than all the other species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, living in that area, combined! Solomon tells the lazy man to learn an important lesson from the ant in preparation. Preparation involves educating yourself, either by inquiring, getting counsel, or going to school. If you have a teachable spirit you can learn something and better prepare yourself. It’s the ones that think they know it all who continually have problems. One does not have to have a degree to be wise. Some of the wisest people I know are those who are honest and hard workers and complete their tasks. Being fixed on a goal or purpose helps us to be steadfast and not to quit in the preparation process. The importance of being ready, or prepared, is a motivation to finish our preparation. When we are prepared, it gives us stability, or confidence, to do the task at hand. The Bible teaches the same message hundreds of years before Aesop’s fable of the Grasshopper and the Ant. Aesop describes how an ant passed by a grasshopper who was "chirping and singing to its heart's content." The grasshopper urged the ant to stop and talk. But the ant replied, "I am helping to lay up food for the winter and recommend you to do the same." The grasshopper, thinking he had "plenty of food," responded, "Why bother about winter?" But when winter came, the ant had enough food and even could help others. But the grasshopper "found itself dying of hunger." The moral to this story is to be wise and prepare for the future. The Bible urges us to learn from creatures like the ant, to look ahead. Not to waste opportunities but to plan, to save and to prepare. Are you wasting opportunities in your life? Has God given you the ability to do something for Him, but you are letting it waste away because of doubt in yourself or in God? Is there someone you need to speak to about the Lord, but you have put it off?" Ask God to help you be a better planner, prepared for the future. And faithful with the time, talent and treasure He has given you. Don't waste your opportunities! Do what the Lord wants you to do NOW! Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom that I might be prepared for the future. Open my eyes and help me to be a better steward of the resources You have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen. Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 1
Lessons from the Ant (Proverbs 30:24-25) - Part 1 Proverbs 30:24-25, There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; We can look at the ant as an example of how we are to live. Ants enjoy to work and when they work, they work hard. They have some amazing habits. They will spend hours clearing their surroundings of leaves and plants. They have houses, towns, public roads, etc. Regardless of how far they are wander from their home they never seem to get lost. Ants are industrious and are used to rebuke the sluggard (Proverbs 6:6) because of their industriousness. God called the ant exceeding wise because they gather and prepare their food in the harvest. Ants are located all over the world. Although the ant has no leader or supervisor, they nonetheless, are disciplined to provide their meat in the summer and gather their food in the harvest. Ants work tirelessly and store their food in the summer, when it is available. Ants rebuke all who let disadvantages and difficulties keep them from achieving in life. Ants are small creatures, but they have the wisdom to prepare for the future and to that degree are wise creatures. The Bible speaks of four creatures to illustrate the practical wisdom that leads to success in life and business. Large physical stature, strength and resources are not required for great achievements. The small and weak can be successful when they exercise great diligence, savvy and skill. God illustrates this principle through these four amazing creatures. Tiny, industrious ants are diligent in preparing for the future. Ants have the God-given foresight to survive and to prepare for winter by laying up food during the summer. God has given them the insight to take the long look and discipline to prepare for the future. What an illustration of wisdom. They plan ahead for times when they will have less food. It would be wise for us to be the same way. We should not waste our time, but work diligently at whatever task we are given. The Lord uses the animal kingdom to drive home the lessons of wisdom (Proverbs 1:17; 6:5-8). He selects some of the weakest, most insignificant and vulnerable creatures to show how they overcome their limitations and are thus lessons to us in wisdom, for they succeed where many of us fail. The secret to their strength is their unity in that the ants are a collective unit. They work together as one to accomplish what they are too small to do individually. If we wish to be successful in life, we, like the ant, must have foresight (plan ahead), be disciplined, unified (work with others), and work tirelessly to accomplish our tasks. The Word of God rebukes the slothful for sleeping at harvest when they should be working (Proverbs 20:4, 13). This proverb serves as a wakeup call against the dangers of laziness. Socially, laziness is becoming progressively more acceptable. God’s Word teaches us that laziness ultimately leads to destruction. Their preparation should be a lesson to teach us that weakness is no excuse for laziness or procrastination. Everyone should make preparation for eternity by receiving Jesus Christ as their Saviour and living a life that is pleasing to Him. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the opportunity to provide for my family. May my work ethic be just and diligent as I give myself to these responsibilities. At the end of the day, may I look back with joy and pleasure with the expectation of hearing You say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lessons on Longsuffering – Part 3
Wait on the LORD (Psalm 62:5) Psalm 62:5, My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. I’m not sure who needs this post right now–but I trust somebody needs to read it. One of the most important traits of the Christian life is patience. Over 150 times some form of the word “wait” appears in the Bible. Waiting on God results in us being strengthened (Isaiah 40:31). Genuine faith fully waits upon God. We say we’re trusting in God alone, but then we quickly structure how to deliver ourselves, rather than waiting on Him! It’s not that it’s wrong to think about how to get out of a difficult trial, or to use methods to do so. In fact, more often than not we should use plans and methods in dependence on Him. But it’s wrong to give God a token nod of trust and then set Him aside while really, we trust in our schemes and methods. One of the hardest things we’ll ever do is to wait on God! Many times, in life GOD tells us to wait, yet we trust our own judgment and do our own will. Choosing your personal will over God’s will always result in reaping consequences. Delays do not mean God will fail to come through. Be willing to patiently wait on God and to trust in Him even when you do not understand what He is doing. Waiting on the Lord prepares us for what God has for us in the future. Pearl Wait wore several hats. He was a construction worker who dabbled in patent medicines and sold his ailment remedies door-to-door. In 1897, in the midst of his tinkering, he hit on the idea of mixing fruit flavoring with granulated gelatin. His wife named it Jell-O, thus giving Mr. Wait one more product to peddle. Unfortunately, sales weren’t as strong as he hoped, so just two years later in 1899, Pearl Wait sold his Jell-O rights for $450.00 to Orator Woodward. Mr. Woodward knew the value of marketing. So, within just eight brief years in 1907, Mr. Woodward turned a $450.00 investment into a $1,000,000.00 business. Today, not a single relative of Pearl Waite receives royalties from the 1.1 million boxes of Jell-O that are sold each and every day. Why? Because Mr. Waite just couldn’t wait. Learn to wait on God, trust His timing. Waiting, trusting the Lord, and living by faith will yield blessing. Impatience will rob you of them. Jell-O turned 122 this year. While God has given you the green light, take advantage or every opportunity and door that is open. However, if the door is not open yet, don’t use the window, wait on Him. God knows exactly where you are. If you wait on His timing, you will find that He has been preparing you and your surroundings. Prayer: Lord, I know too often I pray for my will rather than Your will to be done. I know that You have the results already worked out. Teach me to learn to wait on You. Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Our sincere apologies, today’s post was deleted by mistake. Thanks be to God our salvation can never be deleted.
Lessons of Longsuffering – Part 2 The Blessings of Pressing On! (James 1:2-4) James 1:2-4, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. His father was a shopkeeper in Nantucket, but Rowland left home at the age of 15 to sail the Atlantic with whale hunters. Returning to Massachusetts four years later, he worked for several years in his father's shop before opening his own needle-and-thread store in Boston in 1844, but it was soon bankrupt. Rowland began selling dry goods in 1846, but this store also failed. He briefly worked in his brother-in-law's Boston shop, then fled to California in the 1849 gold rush. Finding no wealth out west, he returned to Massachusetts and opened a dry goods store in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1851, in partnership with his brother. This store was a modest success, but in 1858 Rowland left Haverhill and opened a small store of his own in a low-rent neighborhood in New York City. In New York, Rowland found major success. His store became known for its then-innovative policy of clearly marking prices, and advertising those prices in newspaper ads. Rowland H. Macy started Macy’s Department Store. The red star in the Macy's logo was Mr. Macy's idea, inspired by a red-star tattoo on his forearm from his whaling days. By the time of his death in 1877, Macy's store had grown to a tangle of eleven connected buildings on New York's 13th and 14th Streets. How do you know when you have suffered long enough? Let the suffering have its work in you. Be patient and let the suffering that you’re going through work in you what God is trying to mature in your life. There are reasons why God allows sufferings in your life. Let God put in what He is trying to put in and let Him take out what He is trying to take out. Wait until the Lord’s done. We want the suffering to stop when we say we’re done. We must wait until the Lord is done. Galatians 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. This verse helps many who are suffering to persevere because of the benefits of its promise. I want to see the end and what God has for me in the end. I want to be faithful and not quit. Press on when you feel like giving up. Nothing is more essential to success in the Christian life than to persevere, to press on. Faith gets you started; joyful steadfastness keeps you going. God is even more interested in growing your perseverance than you are! Almost everything He allows in your life has the purpose of developing your perseverance. That is why, James 1:3 teaches your faith is tested. Not so your faith will fail, but to produce in you an achieving steadfastness that results in joy. PRAYER: Lord, I know that when this trial is over I’ll be a better person because of it. Forgive me for being unsettled. I know You are refining my character and through this I’ll be a better Christian for it, fit for Your use. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lessons on Longsuffering – Part 1
Finding Joy in Suffering (Romans 5:3-5) Romans 5:3-5, And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ABC's of Trials Although things are not perfect Because of trial or pain, Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame. Even when the times are hard, Fierce winds are bound to blow; God is forever able-- Hold on to what you know Imagine life without His love; Joy would cease to be. Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee. Move out of "Camp Complaining"-- No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone. Quit looking at the future, Redeem the time at hand. Start every day with worship; To "thank" is a command. Until we see Him coming, Victorious in the sky, We'll run the race with gratitude, Exalting God most high. Yes, there'll be good times; and, yes, some will be bad, but... Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!—Unknown We are given insight as to the work of troubles and trials. Most people groan in tribulation, but the perspective that comes from salvation changes one's view of life's experiences to the extent that trials bring rejoicing more than complaining. The idea is because we are now at peace with God, having access to His grace and having standing before Him, we also glory in tribulations. Because of the riches of His grace in saving us, we not only can endure troubles, we can rejoice in them because of our standing in Christ. The Bible teaches that God wants to work a character quality in your heart known as patience. Patience has the sense of ‘endurance’ or ‘perseverance.’ Trouble and persecution, especially for Christ’s sake, produce the added benefit of determination to continue. What are some reactions when troubles come? How do you respond? One of the greatest marks of your faith and your confidence in the Almighty is your endurance, your perseverance when trouble comes. This is a guarantee that not only are we saved now, but we will still be saved when we stand before God. As a believer I can have full assurance of salvation. What a promise! The love of God changes everything! God's love was shed abroad in our hearts at the time of our salvation. Our hope is backed up by the love of God. This is where it all started (John 3:16). If it were not for the sacrificial love of God there would be no hope of salvation. God’s love is an amazing love that is never depleted! Our hope is a sure thing because it is grounded upon the love of God. Are you experiencing a major setback in your life? Has a health problem sidelined you? Is some obstacle keeping you from reaching your fullest potential? Don’t give up. God can use your hardships to accomplish in you what no one else could ever do. His plan has not been hindered by your limitations — rather, if you trust Him, it may be heightened by them. With His help you can thrive. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for my salvation, and the hope that I have in Christ. Give me a teachable spirit and a willingness to rejoice in the Lord, no matter what difficulties and I have to face. May my life be a testimony to Your goodness and grace, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Dilemma of Doubt (Numbers 14:1-3)
Numbers 14:1-3, And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? “We’re claiming the entire land, it’s ours!” This should have prompted singing, shouting and rejoicing. We’re going to take the land God has promised us. Remember the plagues, the Red Sea, Mt. Sinai, the manna and much more. He has never failed us before. According to Numbers 14:1-3, they weren’t. Why? They were surrounded by complainers and doubters. This was not just a few people, but the entire congregation. We see in Numbers 14:3-4, they even entertained the idea of selecting another leader to take them back to Egypt. They were planning a mutiny against Moses. In effect, they were saying, “We’re going back to Egypt. We are better off as slaves in Egypt. God will not give us the victory here.” This type of thinking is totally contrary to their amazing experiences with God. Why were they thinking this way? They had forgotten about God’s provisions. The pillar of cloud by day, the pillar of fire by night, the dividing and crossing of the Red Sea, manna every day, etc. God had miraculously brought the Children of Israel out of Canaan and promised them a fruitful land. Yet when the Israelites saw some obstacles, they wished they were back in slavery in Egypt. This sounds absurd to us, but do we ever have a similar response? Don’t desire to go back to your former ways; have faith to move on to the more abundant blessings the Lord has for you. I have never trusted God and regretted it. Yes, at times, the challenges have been huge. I can remember times when I have chosen doubt and missed the incredible opportunities to prove the faithfulness of God. I remember how disappointing I felt afterwards. When a believer is backslidden, they tend to run from God’s purpose for them. When a Christian is carnal, they tend to not think wisely. Despite the promises of God, and in spite of His miraculous deliverance and provisions, Israel claimed they would rather have died in slavery in Egypt. They went so far as to accuse God of bringing them there to die. They were willing to return to the bondage from which God had graciously delivered them. When times were tough, Israel failed to look to their God. Doubt is a very common, human, natural struggle. One of the hard things about struggling with doubt is overcoming the feeling of your struggle with those feelings of doubt. To overcome doubt, one must confront doubt with truth. People who have trusted the Lord, when faced with doubt, have an impeccable track record. Take God’s Word and trust Him in it. Be fully prepared to fight, but fight honestly with your struggle. Arm yourself to acknowledge it, face it, name it, and then overcome it with truth. God never intends for His people to wander wearily through life, headed nowhere. God has for you a land of milk and honey, a life of victory if you’re willing to follow him in obedience. Rather than forfeiting to your fears and being defeated by doubts; follow your faith in the Lord. PRAYER: Lord, I truly want to defeat the doubt I struggle with in life. Arm me with Scripture that I may defeat the devil with the power of Your Word. 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 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. 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 communion. When a couple is withdrawn from one other, not enjoying their marriage communion 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. 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). 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. Prayer, Lord, I don’t want to 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. If this post has blessed you in any way 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
January 2025
Categories |