A WAY OF LIFE
Hopefully, our chosen way of life is bringing glory to our great God and blessing to our loved ones.
Hopefully, our chosen way of life is bringing glory to our great God and blessing to our loved ones.
Aren’t you glad our walk with the Lord, as believers in Jesus, is not one of legalism and punishment? To be sure, we are to present ourselves completely to the Lord, willing to do His bidding — but when we fall short we are not punished; instead, we are disciplined, corrected, admonished to forsake our sin. Once we do that, we simply continue our daily walk with Jesus.
Like so many other Christians have done over the centuries, won’t you allow God to take your raw strengths and temper them for His use? It can make an eternal difference in someone’s life!
The solution to Thomas’ feelings of depression, hurt, and abandonment — and to us when we feel like that — is simply this: Surety comes most often in the fellowship of others! Thomas missed out the first time Jesus appeared because he wasn’t there to see Him!
The key to a “safe arrival” is being in the right boat, the one Jesus commands. Have you ever asked Him to be the Captain of your life? Maybe you have — but you’ve “jumped ship” out of fear or rebellion. He invites you this very minute to let Him once again steer your course.
God’s good intention for Josh — and for us, is not finally getting us to the right place (job, house, town). Rather, it’s shaping us into a people who live solely by our faith in the faithfulness of God.
Nobody has all the answers because nobody knows the mind and will of God completely. But, the Lord does give us teaching on the subject, enough that we can confidently approach Him for healing and then leave the results in the hands and will of a loving and wise heavenly Father.
To serve sometimes means personal sacrifice; sometimes our heart and motives for ministry are put to the test. I know mine were in this simple request because I really liked my beard; I felt it helped me look more “pastoral”!
Jesus’ purpose was to do the miraculous in the presence of faith. He did not then, nor does He now, cast His pearls before swine. If we know Jesus well enough we’ll recognize His work and rejoice when it comes our way!
As someone has rightly said, our calling is not primarily to accomplish something but to serve God. In God’s eyes success for the Christian is measured not in accomplishments but in humility and faithfulness.