Tag: God’s holy will

Surreal Surrender

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD7 Comments

Our heavenly Father relates to His children at different times in different ways. He uses stronger measures with some than with others.

We are all disobedient by nature, but He knows how and when to bring us in obedience to Himself. He turns some in childhood to know Him and love Him. For others it is in times of crisis that we come to the end of ourselves to see our need for Him.

It is such times as the whole world is experiencing now that many are turning in repentance and faith to seek Him, His will, His kingdom, and His righteousness.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

God’s Authority Over All Things
Many are declaring “conspiracy” in what is happening in the world. As in a former post, we agree that a conspiracy has been the enemy’s work since the beginning of time. But we remember the antithesis is ruled by God, our Father.

He governs in all things to bring about His sovereign will at all times and in all places ~ to the end to declare His kingdom, power, and glory.

We continue to praise Him at all times, in all circumstances. living in obedience of faith under His authority and counsel.

We sometimes need the difficult times for Him to draw us closer to Him. When things seem unreal, we have a place of refuge and safety.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray:
but now have I kept thy word.”
Psalm 119:67

No doubt, when things settle down, many will return to their own ways, but He will have done His work in the hearts and lives of those who truly surrender themselves to Him.

 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,
and to reserve the unjust
unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
2 Peter 2:9

Gracious Father, we thank you for ruling in power over all things according to your Holy will. Draw us and keep us close to you in these difficult times. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and by your Holy Word, enable us to help others who are seeking you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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Launch Out

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD9 Comments

“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” Luke 5:4-6

A story is told of a football coach on the sidelines of a very important game screaming to his players, “Give Willie the ball.” After several such calls without their response, he called time out.

As his players gathered around him, he asked, “Didn’t you hear me tell you to give Willie the ball?”

“Yes, coach, but Willie doesn’t want the ball.”

Challenges of the Christian Life
How many of us, when called to accept a challenge in our Christian life, often refuse, and so, never know the blessings of growing spiritually. When things seem too difficult, out of our comfort zone, we miss the opportunity of serving where the Lord wants us, or seeing His glory in uncharted waters and receiving the benefits He has there for us. It may mean that we serve Him where we are, but with a greater diligence and obedience to His Word. Not all are called to serve as missionaries in a foreign country, but to grow in our relationship with Him, to know and love Him more ~ to go deeper in fellowship with Him through His Word and His Spirit. It is in this relationship that we are prepared to serve Him wherever He places us.

When we think we have done all that needs to be done, our Lord promises that where He directs us He will be with us, having already planned the outcome.Launching out into the deep is where we find exceeding abundantly more that we can ask or imagine by His power working in us (Ephesians 3:20).

Gracious Father, forgive us for settling for the minimal Christian life. Work in our hearts, by the power of your Holy Spirit to hear the call of our Lord Jesus to follow Him past the mundane things of this life, to deny self as we take up our own cross to find the deep things that are hidden in Him. Enable us to plunge into the depths of your love and find the blessings you have for us. Let nothing hold us back from full surrender to your call and your holy will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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