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Brian's Page Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, …” Every now and then we hear about how to ask for things from God. We ask Him to bless us and expand our influence. We bring our petitions before the throne of grace, which in most cases is right and proper. God loves to hear from us. As I get older in the Lord I yearn more and more for God to do things in and through my life that never even entered my mind, much less having asked for them. Like a log being consumed by the flame – in which the wood is not in charge of the burning process. The flame goes whither it wishes – for the glory and comfort of the fire-starter. Maybe this goes back to my childhood, from which I yean for the attention and affirmation of my father. I want to know that he has noticed me and is involving me in his life; I want to feel part of what is important to him. Whether this is divine preparation of my heart I do not know, I only know that I yearn to see God, my Heavenly Father, work in, around, and through my life in ways that are unexpected --- ways that I never planned on. How can I be part of this process?? II Timothy 2:21 gives us a clue. This verse talks about cleansing ourselves from sin and wickedness, thus becoming a vessel of honor --- useful to God and prepared for good works. Useful to God --- that is what it is all about. The lighting of a candle with a holy flame is so much harder when the wick is smashed down into the wax. In order to prepare for the ignition of God we must take sin seriously and strive to live pleasing to Him. We must make those sometimes hard choices to be obedient to God’s revealed will. We must say “yes Lord” when he instructs us to do something. We must seek to put off those sins that so easily entangle --- and prepare to run with endurance. In this way I think God will be pleased to work in our midst in ways that transcend our own game plan and desires. That is when things are switched into high gear! Brian You can email me with a comment or two by clicking on this ===> .. Brian's Page ..
Something Good to Do Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." “Good works” --- meaningful works, God-ordained works, in the sight of God, significant works. God has something for you to contribute. Yes you --- I’m not sure what it is, but God knows, and He has made all the preparations. All He asks of you is for you to become part of them. In faith embrace (you life not to waste). You know, God is a very intelligent being. He knows all about you and your circumstances ---way before even you or them even came into existence. As such, He has factored into His good works equation all you can and cannot do. He knows what will be healthy for you, He knows what will cause you to grow, He knows what you can handle --- each and every day. You could say your daily good works are tailor made just for you. It really doesn’t matter much how healthy or sick you become. God has something you, and often only you, can contribute. I remember years and years ago when I worked in a nursing home. Most of these dear folks were just hanging on --- some very infirm, some bed-ridden, some partially out of their mind. One morning when I came into work (as an orderly) I noticed one dear old lady smiling and being friendly with those that passed by. She was clearly senile, but God still had something for her to do. She was an encouragement and pleasure to experience. I was informed by the secretary that she had been a church lady for many years. One can only guess at her prayer life as senility settled upon her soul ---- “Dear Lord, please use me in some way for your glory. Dear God, please bless others through me.” This is no different than our calling to daily embrace the good works God has for us. Focus on being a blessing to others --- as you do God will show you the good works He has prepared for you --- even if it is just sharing a smile with someone who needs it. If you do, your life can be such a blessing to others ! Brian You can email me with a comment or two by clicking on this ===> .. Brian's Page ..
Working It Out Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Did you know that the word “salvation” can have more than one application and meaning? As I recall there are at least half a dozen or so uses of the word in the New Testament. At least one such use has nothing to do with eternal salvation, but instead deals with day-to-day deliverance from the sin that so easily entangles. Running with endurance, as Hebrews says, is a synonymous idea to working out one’s salvation. “But”, you say, “what of the fear and trembling? Certainly such dread has to be dealing with the terror of being sent to Hell.” Well, it appears that this clause is simply an idiomatic expression --- just a way of saying things. Every language has these, even English. What will we do with the phrase “he laughed his fool head off” if taken at face value? I pity anyone who in an effort to precisely communicate with us takes such a phrase literally. Did you know that the Bible exhorts us to serve our masters (today’s employers) with fear and trembling? (Ephesians 6:5) Why? Because if you don’t take it seriously you could be out of a job! Now, does God really want us to quake in our boots around our bosses? I doubt it! What I think he is saying is for us to not take our service to another lightly, just as we are exhorted to work for another as if working for Christ Himself in the book of Colossians. So, as I see this verse, the Christian is called by God to seriously work out in his life what God is busy working in. I think this passage augments the Ephesians 2:10 passage mentioned above. God has an agenda --- now get busy becoming part of it. Brian You can email me with a comment or two by clicking on this ===> .. Brian's Page ..
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