Sunday, January 26, 2014

Moving On With Life

Shenandoah National Park - Big Meadows
Thistle with Bees on Flowers
View Enlarged Image
by Donna L. Watkins

Sometimes we can place too much responsibility on the Lord and not take our own stand in a decision-making process. God gave us the Holy Spirit to "teach us all things" (John 14:26).

We have to be plugged in to hear. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and we follow.  But often we have so many voices we're not sure which one is the Lord's.

Some people have more TV time than God time. Listening to and reading a lot of bad news reports counter-balances the Truth we plant in our hearts by meditating on the Word.  No wonder fear is rampant amidst our minds.

If we are serious about wanting to KNOW what God wants for our lives, then we will make it a priority, as we do other important things in our lives.  Ask yourself honestly ... are television programs more important than God?  If they are, you can stop here.  Leave God behind and continue on the path you're on.  At least you'll have more peace not being in the continual struggle of waiting for God to do something.

Knowing the Word is so critical to knowing the will of God.  God will not violate His Word.  So you can discern whether the voice you believe to be God's is saying something of Truth or know you're being deceived by the devil.

You ALWAYS have time to do what you WANT to do.

We can't expect God to do miracles in our lives every day, when He says that He has given us power over the Enemy (Satan), so we need to stand against the confusion we are allowing him to put within us. (Luke 10:19). God gave us free will and He sticks by that. Consider this ....

Mark 6:5 says that "He (Jesus) could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them." In that instance, it is evident that the reason Jesus couldn't do any mighty work was not because He didn't possess the power, but because our faith is part of the equation.  How often did He ask people what they wanted Him to do?  Or ask them "Do you believe I can do what you ask?"  He also used phrases like, "your faith has made you whole" and "be it unto you according to your faith."  It's something to ponder as you read the words of Jesus and His method of healing.  Notice He didn't go after people to heal them.  They came to Him ... other than the man by the pool of Bethsaida who couldn't move.

We often stay stuck in a situation waiting for handwriting on the wall or a star in heaven to point the way. We have the Almighty God in us (imparted at salvation) and He is directing our steps all of the time.  Isaiah 30:21 tells us, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it."

We need to be able to hear His voice and that requires relationship with Him.  We know the voices of those with whom we speak often.  We gain this relationship by being with Him, not in books and devotionals and teachings, but with Him alone so we can listen to what He wants to tell us.

The Word is alive and active (Heb. 4:12) so it comes alive in our spirit.  God is spirit (John 4:24) and He communicates to our spirit.  If our flesh has been ruling our body (entertainment, food, doing to gain acceptance, etc.), then it's like we've packed away our spirit in the attic.  Don't get hung up on "having to" read the Bible each day, rather read it because you want to discover more and more about Him.

Remember that the early Christians didn't have the written Word of the New Testament for decades and then it was not something every Believer possessed. The Holy Spirit was to be their guide and teacher.  That should still be our focus for today.  I'm just saying that we can get a Law mindset of "having to" read the Bible and God may be calling us simply to sit and listen to Him on some days.

Beginning of Homestead Purple Verbena Bloom
At some point we need to realize that God can work with decisions we make in faith believing they are His will, but to get to that belief, you need relationship.  When you have it, even if you make the wrong decision, I believe God will bless it (and possibly alter it through circumstances) simply because He loves us so much.  He wants to see us stepping out and walking in victory.

The devil wants us walking in defeat and encumbered by many activities.  We live in a swirling whirling world these days.  It takes a determination to keep life simple so that we don't enter into the "hurry, worry, scurry" mindset of life today.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  (John 10:10)

If your life is feeling empty ... it's not because Jesus hasn't given you something better ... you've just not believed and walked in it.  Just like the folks in Jesus' hometown.  They knew too much about Him in the physical realm.  Who His parents were, his brothers, and had seen Him growing up.  How could they believe and receive from this person they knew so well to be simply a person, not the Messiah.

Don't let the devil steal all the blessings God has given you.  His love made a great sacrifice so you could have an abundant life ... make time for Him and you will be amazed at how different life becomes.  Need some practical teaching to kick-off a new lifestyle?  Here's some links to get you started.

Related Articles
Hearing God - Donna L. Watkins
Hearing God's Voice - Devotional by Andrew Wommack
Hearing God's Voice - Donna L. Watkins
How To Hear God's Voice - Andrew Wommack
Leaning Into God - Donna L. Watkins
How To Hear God's Voice - Audio Teaching by Andrew Wommack



Sponsored by The Herbs Place - Wholesale Prices Always


No comments:

Share This Post