God rewards those who seek Him! Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus Himself.
And what is the reward? What awaits those who seek Jesus? Nothing short of the heart of Jesus. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him. Can you think of a greater gift than to be like Jesus? Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the diseased and mercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same. Isn’t it just like Jesus! Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. Mat 5:12
In the Sermon on the mount, … what Jesus promises is not a gimmick to give you goose bumps nor a mental attitude that has to be pumped up at pep rallies. No, Matthew 5 describes God's radical reconstruction of the heart. Observe the sequence. First, we recognize we are in need (we're poor in spirit). Next, we repent of our self-sufficiency (we mourn). We quit calling the shots and surrender control to God (we're meek). So grateful are we for his presence that we yearn for more of him (we hunger and thirst). As we grow closer to him, we become more like him. We forgive others (we're merciful). We change our outlook (we're pure in heart). We love others (we're peace-makers). We endure injustice (we're persecuted). It's no casual shift of attitude. It is a demolition of the old structure and a creation of the new. The more radical the change, the greater the joy. And it's worth every effort, for this is the joy of God. The Applause of Heaven (Max Lucado) Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35, NKJV.
Because the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion, His service for heaven was without failure or faltering. Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to people, He must commune with God, from Him obtaining energy, perseverance, steadfastness. The Savior loved the solitude of the mountain in which to hold communion with His Father. Through the day He labored earnestly to save men, women, and children from destruction. He healed the sick, comforted the mourning, called the dead to life, and brought hope and cheer to the despairing. After His work for the day was finished, He went forth, evening after evening, away from the confusion of the city, and bowed in prayer to His Father. Frequently He continued His petitions through the entire night; but He came from these seasons of communion invigorated and refreshed, braced for duty and for trial. Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan? So also was He who knew no sin. In the hour of distress He turned to His Father. Himself a source of blessing and strength, He could heal the sick and raise the dead; He could command the tempest, and it would obey Him; yet He prayed, often with strong crying and tears. He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself with human beings. He was a mighty petitioner. As the Prince of life, He had power with God, and prevailed.... Those who teach and preach the most effectively are those who wait humbly upon God, and watch hungrily for His guidance and His grace. Watch, pray, work—this is the Christian’s watchword. The life of a true Christian is a life of constant prayer. He knows that the light and strength of one day is not sufficient for the trials and conflicts of the next. Satan is continually changing his temptations. Every day we shall be placed in different circumstances; and in the untried scenes that await us we shall be surrounded by fresh dangers, and constantly assailed by new and unexpected temptations. It is only through the strength and grace gained from heaven that we can hope to meet the temptations and perform the duties before us.—Gospel Workers, 255-258. I have obeyed my Father's commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. Joh 15:10
God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself. And what is the reward? What awaits those who seek Jesus? Nothing short of the heart of Jesus. "And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him" (2Co 3:18 TLB). Can you think of a greater gift than to be like Jesus? Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the diseased and mercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same… He wants you to be just like Jesus. Just Like Jesus (Max Lucado) And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
There is an innumerable number of people whose desire to serve the Lord leads to nothing simply because they are afraid to take the risk of making an effort. These are people whose talents are lost because they rely on themselves and on inadequate resources. They fail in their attempt, or even worse, they just don’t try. They rob themselves of the opportunity to taste the joy that comes from serving God. If you read the Old and New Testament diligently, you will discover something from beginning to end. Not one of the men and women who were called by God had the training or the ability to undertake the task that had been allotted to them in their own strength. From the earliest times the giants of faith of the Old Testament as well as the disciples who followed Jesus were ordinary people who were willing. In their own strength they had nothing to offer, but through being empowered by the Spirit of God they became powerful and effective witnesses. The Lord called, they responded, and He gave them the strength to serve Him through the Holy Spirit. Jesus has a task for you that He truly desires for you to complete for Him. If you would submit yourself to Him and seek His guidance through prayer, He will not only show you what you should do, but He will also through the Holy Spirit give you the ability to undertake it. It does not require great learning to be a Christian and be convinced of the truth of the Bible. It requires only and honest heart and a willing to obey God. ~ Albert Barnes Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall
with it. And David eluded him twice. 1 Samuel 18:11 What do you do when you are the target of a spear thrower (spears of verbal abuse perhaps?). Here are a few lessons from David when he was the target of Saul’s spear of jealousy. First, don’t retaliate. Most people would pick the spear up and throw it back at the one who threw it. NOT DAVID! David let the spear lay. Don’t become spear focused or become a spear-thrower yourself. If you throw spears back at your attacker, you prove you are no better than the one who attacked you. Second, what did David do when Saul wanted to use him as target practice and hurled a spear in his direction? Simple: He ducked! He learned how to dodge spears. He learned to stay out of the way of spear-throwers. If someone is known to be a spear-chucker, keep away from them. Third, David put a watch at the door of his mouth (Ps. 141:3). David never voiced a single criticism towards Saul. Button your lips when attacked. You don’t have to answer every unkind word that’s said about you or respond to every mean thing that is done to you. It is wise to just let it lay and move on. If you do happen to get hit by a spear, there will be a tendency to turn a bright shade of “bitter.” Then you must apply the antidote for the poison of bitterness. It is called forgiveness. For further details, read “The Tale of Three Kings” by Gene Edwards. Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God !
It is He Who made us, not we ourselves [and we are His] ! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. PSALM 100 : 3 FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD JESUS WILL GUIDE YOU, GUARD YOU AND TENDERLY HOLD YOU CLOSE TO HIS HEART Take the Saviour's loving hand, and do not try to understand. Just let Him lead you where He will, through pastures green and waters still. In Jesus Name, AMEN! But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things... John 14:26
If you are asking whom or where you can go to to get the help you need, as no more. Just turn to God who has already promised you the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom He has sent in Jesus’ name to dwell in you. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. Yes, teach you all things! Do you really believe that? Or are you like some who believe that you seek God’s counsel only for spiritual things, but consult “professional” for al other things in your life? God does not want you to run to and rely on worldly wisdom. Now, there is nothing wrong with going to a doctor or engaging a financial consultant, but God wants you to come to Him first for counsel and direction. That is why He has send the Holy Spirit, the counsellor (John 16:7, NIV), to teach you all things. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth and He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:3) The apostle John said, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things...the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you all things...” (1 John 2:20, 27) So the way God teaches you is through the anointing within. It is a continuous anointing. In any particular situation, He is anointing you from within, teaching you by the presence or absence of His peace. For example, a deal you are considering may sound very reasonable. But if you don’t have the peace in your spirit, don’t sign on the dotted line, Sign only when you have peace. Be led by His peace and you will find that your heart will not be troubled, neither will it be afraid. (John 14:27) When you follow that peace that only God can give to you as an inward witness, good things and even miracles will come forth! I asked for STRENGTH and God gave me DIFFICULTIES TO MAKE ME STRONG...
I asked for WISDOM and God gave me PROBLEMS FOR ME TO SOLVE... I asked for PROSPERITY and God gave me BRAWN & BRAINS TO WORK.... I asked for COURAGE and God gave me DANGERS TO OVERCOME.... I asked for PATIENCE and God placed me in a situation where I was FORCED TO WAIT... I asked for LOVE and God gave me TROUBLED PEOPLE TO HELP.... I asked for FAVORS and God gave me OPPORTUNITIES.... I asked for EVERYTHING so I could enjoy Life, INSTEAD... He gave me LIFE so I COULD ENJOY EVERYTHING... I received nothing I wanted... BUT... I RECEIVED EVERYTHING I NEEDED! |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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