All tagged god
Today let’s contemplate the rewards that come from God... what is His promise regarding them, how do we receive them, and what are they? This is a massive subject because God desires to heap rewards upon us both physically, spiritually, and in heaven. This was prophesied in regards to the coming of Jesus, and then made so.
This morning we are dwelling on praying during seasons of conflict. Paul gave these instructions to the Ephesians regarding being a Christian soldier, and they have served us well throughout the millennium...
“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV
Living in a country where each man and woman has a vote, makes it hard for us to understand the true concept of sovereignty. We tend to think that each of us has the ultimate say in most everything we do, but that is not true. We might cast a vote on Election Day, but beyond that one vote all else is God’s will. He is truly sovereign, and we can see this very clearly in His selection of those He calls, as opposed to those we elect. Let’s explore His Sovereignty today.
Our scripture reading this morning is from Matthew 7 and leads us into our study. It speaks of judging others; seeking God's Word and will; then doing the things that He has asked of us. Praying within God’s will is more than simply speaking words, because it is not just giving lip service through speech and fancy oration, and calling it a prayer. If we pray from our heart, and within the will of God then He will recognize what we say as prayer, reward them, make our prophecy true, and before Him on judgement day, Jesus will acknowledge us, and not say "I never knew you, depart from me". Are we prepared to yield ourselves to the will of God? Let’s begin our journey towards true prayer.
As I read my devotional this morning and concluded by reading James 2, it became clear to me that the compassion of Jesus plays a major part in translating our faith into action, or as it states in the bible… works. It leads us to not only ask God to come to someone's aid in prayer, but softens our hearts, prompting us to exhibit that selfsame mercy by helping them as well. Do we demonstrate the compassion off Christ in our everyday lives?
Protection against sinning; wouldn't we all like an invincible suit of armor, or some impenetrable costume like a super hero wears that could protect us from sin? Well this morning we find that such a covering is real, and it is available to each of us. The Word of God provides us with the defense we need against sin. It even goes a step further and gives us instructions on how to mend ourselves in the event we are injured when caught without the advantage of our protection, or too immature in our faith to protect ourselves. God's word is power and it is invincible but we must clothe ourselves in it.
My personal devotional reading this morning was centered on prayer and the church, and was written by Pastor E.M. Bounds. He wrote "just as prayer generates a love for scriptures and causes people to begin to read the Bible, so does prayer also cause men and women to visit the house of God to hear scriptures explained." So often we think that believers are drawn to praying after having attended church, but that isn’t necessarily true. We are drawn to God, and prayer, in many ways by the Lord Himself, and our hearts are softened to Him as we come to know Him through His Son Jesus Christ… after having heard the gospel of Jesus by any number of ways.
Experiencing religion, and the dichotomy of man, will be our topic of study today. We will explore who we are, and those moments of religious experience that are so important and life changing for us. Moments like our new birth in Christ, baptism, communion, Christening, marriage, foot washing, receiving the Holy Spirit, and all the other experiences of faith that form our lives, as well as our faith, and worship.
What does it mean to give ourselves to God? Are we prepared to become fully consecrated? These are questions for us to concentrate on this morning. Presenting ourselves to God and becoming spiritually focused rather than worldly centered. When we do this, our lives are changed and we become an example to others of the perfect will of God... we will reflect those attributes which set us apart as holy and righteous before a world of sin and compromise.
Today let’s concentrate on prayer as the divine pattern for our relationship with God. As I read my devotional message this morning Pastor E.M. Bounds dealt with this subject using these words: "No standard of religion is worth a moment's consideration when it neglects prayer... A life of prayer is the divine rule. This is the pattern, just as our Lord is the one Example that we must follow. Prayer is required for a spiritual life... Our goal should be set not by the opinions of people, not by what they say, but by what the scripture says."
This morning let’s delve into wanting ALL of God. The praying Christian shouldn't be satisfied with having a minimum commitment to their faith, but should desire to grow each day into a fullness of faith, and more complete realization of God's presence. Falling into the trap of living each day as if it were our first, and never growing in our belief, and depth of faith, is an easy one. By merely accepting our infancy in Christ, and being satisfied with that, will win us eternal life, but it is the burning desire to know and love Him more which wraps us more tightly in His loving arms and leads us to a more perfect existence.
We are the children of God and He is our Father. Jesus taught us as much, even when He instructed us in prayer... "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).” So often we find ourselves inclined to dwell on God as the creator, God the Defender, God the Provider, or one of the other various personality characteristics of God, but underpinning all of those qualities resides the one that is most founded in love... God the Father.
Can we actually obey all of God's commandments? Man has been struggling to answer this question since Adam and Eve were first told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And although they failed at keeping that one command God did not abandon them, but clothed them instead, and continued to love and teach them. Later, Moses came down from the mountain with even more commandments… And we all know what happened then; man continued to fail. So are we doomed to lives of failure? Is it any different today than it was then? Not really, but God has made provision for us. Are we ready to receive it?
I read a devotional message titled "The World Turned Upside-Down" and it spoke of those in the faith whose walk with God allowed them to change the world in a mighty way. Of course when I read those words I immediately thought of Jesus who changed the Jewish faith, and all of mankind forever through his fulfillment of prophesy and the law. He removed the stain and hopelessness of sin once and for all, conquered death, and provided an avenue by which all mankind could come before God... sin free, righteous and holy.
Are you having trouble finding the words to pray this morning? Is your heart so heavy that there just doesn't seem to be any way you can express the depth of your feelings to God? Well, maybe you are expressing yourself, but you just don't realize it. You are probably praying much more effectively than you think.