All tagged will
Is God calling you to do great things, but you just can't seem to join Him successfully in the effort? Is the Holy Spirit moving on you in a powerful way, but you can't find the time in your busy life to do what is asked, or seem able to bring your efforts to the point where they bear fruit? This is our contemplation this morning.
There are so many things that distract us from our faith and quite often they prevent us from realizing the fullness of that faith, and in their most destructive form, they keep us from giving God complete and unchallenged dominion over our lives. But don’t be afraid because in Jesus Christ there are many other things that are singularly strong enough to change who we are, who we live for, who we would die for, and who ultimately who rules our lives.
I was convicted this morning as I bore into my devotional thought. I was searching through an inconvenient truth... there are times when I wound Jesus in my attempt to achieve righteousness. In those times I am similar to Saul and facing imminent correction. You are asking yourself how I could have done such a terrible thing. You are probably thinking "I am glad I don't do that!" But don't be too quick to judge, or claim the high ground. Let me explain, and then search yourself further as I did.
My devotional reading for today had to do with those times between callings and it blessed me by helping me to wait patiently for God's voice. What do we do during these quiet times of our faith, the times between callings and other spiritual experiences? Sailors of tall ships and other sailing vessels call these hours and days when the wind isn't blowing as being "becalmed." When they find themselves sitting motionless, they make busy about the ship preparing for the next leg of their voyage while they wait for a breeze and hopefully a steady wind to fill their sails once more. We should do the same in our spiritual voyages. This is a time to mend the sails in preparation for the coming breeze… not to take up oars ourselves.
My devotional reading this morning was titled "Let Us Keep To The Point", and builds on Oswald Chambers' personal challenge of giving "My Utmost for His Highest". It presses the argument that we should yield to God's will always, and in every instance... without question. The apostle Paul likewise instructs the Philippians on living in the will of God as we live our lives. He speaks to them of living a life with Jesus and aligning ourselves with God's perfect will... without fear of death.
People like to hear that whatever they ask for in prayer they will receive; but having stipulations placed on those desires? Well, not so much. So when Jesus tells us that if we abide in Him He will give us what we ask for many who pray tend to gloss over what abiding in Him actually means. This concept of abiding is one that is often misunderstood, you see, we are not meant to be spoiled little children who will ask for extravagant things and throw fits when we don’t get them, or who test our parents by asking them for things that go against everything they stand for, or that they know will ultimately be harmful. Many believers believe they can behave this way and do this as if their desires outweigh all of God’s wisdom, and even His will. Today let’s look at abiding in Jesus, and the importance of the will of God. Our opening scripture verse is from John 15, and one that people quote quite often as if trying to corner Jesus in legality.
My devotional reading today was titled "God's Will be Done" by Pastor E. M. Bounds. As I pray each day I lift up my desires, needs, and those of others, before God, but I also wrap those requests in a plea that His will be done in regards to them. Our unending prayers are the very substance of our spiritual lives, earthly lives, and indeed our humanity. They encapsulate all those things we seek and long for in holiness and lift them before our Heavenly Father, but sometimes we fall short in the godliness of our desires, or remain blind to the consequences of our petition. It is for this reason that Jesus has taught us to pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". God's will is perfect.
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.
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 reading started with a quote from Martin Luther today that said: "The Christian trade is prayer." Then, was followed with a quote by Pastor E.M. Bounds which added these words to Luther’s statement... "But the Christian has another trade to learn... He must learn perfect obedience to the Father's will." This is different than simply attempting to perfect ourselves in God’s Word. Bounds tells us we must discern and obey God's will for us. Our perfection and obedience to the commandments and many other things of faith can be handled through our daily faith and prayers, but the first, and most important, prayer each day should be for the Lord to reveal His divine will to us. This is an all-important prayer, and until we have prayed it, our various other prayers are wounded. So we must seek out God's will for us before reaching a fullness in the "trade of prayer."
This morning we are contemplating a couple of words that define the scope of prayer; or perhaps they remove the boundaries of prayer altogether. The words are "anything" and "whatsoever" or if you prefer, "whatever", and then we will ask ourselves if our prayers are being heard. Let's begin by reading a passage of scripture from John 14…
Do we have the faith required to persist in prayer, but not the perspective we need to see His answer? Is there depth enough in our belief in prayer, and trust enough in God, that we can continue to pray for an unanswered desire, but lack the understanding of God’s will it requires to see His answer? Pastor E.M. Bounds wrote that "God sees His praying child's faith. He honors this faith that stays and cries by persisting in prayer, so that it is strengthened and enriched. Then He rewards it abundantly." God rewards us in prayer, but we are often expecting it to come in different way than it does.
Specific answers to prayer was the topic of the devotional message I read this morning. Pastor E.M. Bounds said this regarding the subject: "God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, are both strongly committed by the truth of the Word and by the integrity of their character to answer prayer." In both the Old and New Testaments we are assured and reassured that our prayers will be heard and answered, and in Psalms we have more prayers than in any other book in the bible. Specifically there are 72 prayers included in it; and there are also instructions regarding how we should pray them, and reassurance that they will be answered.
This morning let’s talk about "God's Promises" and how they are personal to each of us. They are true, good, eternal, and should be expectantly called out in our prayers. God stands by his promises always, and His Word is not only unchanging, but His promises are unfailing.
Our devotional lesson and my thoughts today are in regards to what we pray for. E.M. Bounds wrote to us that although we have many desires, we should pray for those things which are "specifically and individually felt and expressed." He goes on to say that "For us, it is entirely true and frequent that our prayers operate in the dry area of a mere wish or in the lifeless area of a memorized prayer." He encourages us to pray fervently and with a sincere yearning, not for wishes, but for the Will of God.