10/11/2016
Are we doing the will of the Father, and what was the example that Jesus set for us in following God's will? This morning as we concentrate on this topic we will first read an excerpt from Pastor E.M. Bounds’ devotional “The Power of Prayer”.
"Throughout His earthly life His supreme desire was to do the will of His Father. This fact, as well as others - the consciousness of having His life ordered this way - gave Him confidence and assurance. It enabled Him to draw near to the throne of grace and unlimited confidence born of obedience, promised acceptance, audience and answer." - E. M. Bounds
We too can feel that same confidence, and find comfort in God's promised acceptance before the throne of grace. When we pray and seek the will of God in our lives, and then following that will, we are traveling through life surrounded by the breath of God.
Have you ever been on a flight and after takeoff the pilot came on the intercom to say something like "welcome to flight 1974 to Boston. We should have a smooth flight and our trip will be 30 minutes shorter than planned due to having the jet stream at our backs. So relax and enjoy the flight"? Traveling in God's will is much like that; we are carried along with little to no effort because we are walking within the very breath of His will for us.
My mother in law had a favorite scripture that she quoted often; it is one that many people find comfort in as they seek to place themselves within the Father's will and control. It speaks of having our path prepared for us... for having the breath of God at our backs. This was the passage she recited nearly every day…
“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 KJV
E. M. Bounds continued speaking of Jesus as He sought access to His Father, and how we should follow Christ’s example, when he penned these words...
"Our Lord Jesus Christ, had ready access to God in prayer. He had this free, full access because of His unquestioning obedience to His Father. Loving obedience puts us where we can ask anything in His name. It gives us the assurance that He will do it." - E. M. Bounds
We know from reading and studying the Bible that Jesus is the Son of God, and we know He is our high priest...
“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”
Hebrews 7:26 KJV
However, even earthly sons must obey their father's will to receive his blessings. Jesus sought out His Father's will and followed it without question... He had God's breath at His back and always knew that His Father's hand was upon Him.
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
John 6:38 KJV
Isn't that where we want to be? How wonderful it is to be confidently at peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father in everything we do; to trust, without doubt, in God's promises, and to feel His protection, and our very life breathed into us. When this happens God abides in us, and we are infused with Him, just as Jesus was with God’s breath, and we can go forth and breathe that same Spirit onto others…
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.””
John 21-22 ESV
Prayer:
Father thank you for breathing life into us, and for allowing us to be as Jesus, and pass your breath, your Holy Spirit, on to others as they seek you. We thank you for revealing your will to us, and helping us as we obey it. We thank you for the cross of Christ on Calvary, and for Jesus passing that cross to us by telling us to pick up our cross and follow Him. Father, we come before you this morningseeking your will for us this day. Open our eyes to all you would have us do, and give us the unwavering faith, strength, and courage to follow your desire. Lord help us to be obedient in all your wishes and commandments that we will find ourselves traveling within your breath as it makes our journey smooth and swift. We thank you for your provision, mercy, and grace, as we go about your business in our lives. Praised be your name Abba, and sweet your breath as our works, which are done within your will, come to glorify you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you who has breathed life into us, and allowed your Son Jesus Christ to breathe your Spirit upon us. Magnanimous are you Lord God, who has given us life, and now entrusts us with your breath, through Jesus Christ who is life, and who sends us out into the world to plant the seed of divine eternity in the hearts of men everywhere. Praised be your name as we prostrate ourselves before you, and worship you in spirit and truth throughout our lives, and love you with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26 ESV
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ”
Mark 16:15-16 ESV
“” Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
Rich Forbes