I am a new creature in Christ, directed by the Holy Spirit, to do the will of the Father. Most times, His will won’t be revealed to us until we step out in faith and obedience moment by moment. Our flesh wants to have it all figured out in advance, but God requires faith.
Day 1, Week 2 There is a River, A Seven Week Guide for Deepening your Walk with God, by Dan Lemburg
Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. Lift up your eyes and see your day of deliverance. For I rescued you from the domain of darkness and transferred you to the kingdom of My beloved Son in whom you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13
As a Christian, does sin separate me from God? We are often taught that sin causes a separation, a rift that can only be restored when we confess our sin. Therefore, moving forward with our life in Christ is possible only when our tie with Him can be reestablished through forgiveness. Though this view seems to make sense, it’s not actually the case.
Because sin displeases God, it can’t help but affect our relationship, often causing us to run from Him. But sin doesn’t separate us from Him! If it did, it would mean that God would have to vacate our spirit each time we sin, and then come back once we repent. This hardly seems practical, since God would have to sever the very tie so utterly necessary to overcoming sin in the first place. It would mean cutting off the very resource essential to spiritual growth.
My delight is in you. You are My desire. Come away My beloved. Come and commune with Me. Intimacy with you is what I desire.
My child, I have given you My Holy Spirit. I have given you My all. Give Me your all. Release everything into My hands. I have so much more I want to give you, but you must release what you tightly hold onto. Trust Me and let go. Surrender all into My loving hands and rest in My Presence.
2nd Timothy says: “In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also vessels of wood and earthenware, some for honor and some for dishonor.” A vessel of wood can be just as important as one made of gold. So don’t despise the small things. Whatever is suitable for the Master’s use is worthy of honor.
Our job is to advance the gospel, no matter what role we might play in Christ’s kingdom. This always means being unselfishly united in spirit with our fellow believers. Having a heart for others, lived out through service and a cooperative spirit, is the wellspring of fruitfulness. When we commit to this goal, we inevitably find ourselves moving into God’s purpose. It may not happen with a whole lot of fanfare, but over time we wake up and realize that we are living out what God always destined us to do.
You live in a fallen world where good is called evil is called good. Recognize the signs of the times and know that I am right at the door. Stand firm. Do not waiver in your faith. Those who endure to the end will be saved. Isaiah 5:20 Matthew 10:22
Everything we were ever created to be is wrapped up in Jesus. Finding out who we are in Christ is the first step toward discovering His purpose for us, because a healthy sense of self-worth gives us the confidence to step out. The better we get to know Jesus personally, the more He can impart His will to us. Communing with God is essential to this process. Prayer is a two-way street—we speak; we listen; we abide in Him, and He in us.
If God has in fact prepared good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), wouldn’t He need to let us know what they are? Look at all those people in the Bible whom God chose to use in one way or another. They heard from God. And even if they didn’t initially grasp His meaning, they ultimately discerned what He wanted. The desire to obey God is the key to understanding Him.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
My heart is Yours O God. Show me your glory. My life is Yours, Father. Lead me into Your plan. My soul is Yours Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your joy. My will is Yours Holy Spirit. Do with me what You desire. I am fully Yours and You are fully mine.
Prayer is not a shopping list and God is not Santa Claus. Life is meant to be lived in a deep and intimate relationship with our Creator. How would you interact with the most important person in your life? Would you do all of the talking, or would you take time to listen and get to know them? Do more listening in prayer than talking and hear what God has to say.