The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way.
Whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, we are tempted to blame God. But we are the ones in the wrong, not God. Blaming God is evidence that we are refusing to let go of some disobedience somewhere in our lives. But as soon as we let go, everything becomes as clear as daylight to us. As long as we try to serve two masters, ourselves and God, there will be difficulties combined with doubt and confusion. Our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. Once we get to that point, there is nothing easier than living the life of a saint. We encounter difficulties when we try to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own purposes.
Self Sacrifice
Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always guard against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential will of God means a hard and difficult time for you, go through it. But never decide the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, “I will only go to there, but no farther.” God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but steadily obeyed. If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one
When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God; and by the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know, though I do not know how, that I am saved.
Jesus, the Victor!
Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things remain not as they would have been had he never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now thou faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ travelled the road, but he has slain thine enemies. Dost thou dread sin? He has nailed it to his cross. Dost thou fear death? He has been the death of Death. Art thou afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of his children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition. Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire. The sword that has been forged against us is already blunted; the instruments of war which the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may safely march on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. What shall you do but march on to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.
What are your eyes seeing?
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 ESV)
God please open my eyes that I might see what you are going. Let me see what my natural eyes cannot see.
Only Believe
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45 ESV)
Love this verse. I often ask what if Mary wouldn’t have believed? But the reality is that she did believe and because she did, a miracle happened to her and she will be remembered for all eternity for her faith. So what can we believe for in our life? God is constantly talking to us. His Word is full of him speaking directly into our lives. We must first choose to have ears to hear (Matt. 11:15). Then we must just simply believe that God will do what He promised. No wavering, no doubting, only believing! Then once we believe, we do the works of Faith.
God, help me to have the kind of faith that will believe You even when I don’t understand what you You are doing. Let my faith be so big that you can do what seems to be impossible to do in my life. Use me, like you did with Mary, to inspire others to have faith for the impossible!
Our priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until our life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever.
Keep your fire burning
What a fire needs to burn:
The interactions of three equal parts: heat (temperature), fuel and oxygen, are required for the creation and maintenance of any fire. When there is not enough heat generated to sustain the process, when the fuel is exhausted, removed or isolated, or when oxygen supply is limited, then the fire will be suppressed. Each of these elements depends on the other to create and sustain a fire. Remove any and the fire will die.
Key Elements:
Heat
Fuel
Oxygen
Flame On – Turn up the heat
Like a natural fire, God wants to set us on fire:
Hebrews 1:7
Once that fire has been started we must keep is going:
2 Tim 1:5-6 10
2 Peter 1:10
The 3 Elements
Heat – Attitude/Love toward God
Rev 3:15-17
Matthew 24:12-13
Matthew 22:37
Fuel – The Word
Matthew 4:4
Hebrews 4:12
1 Timothy 1:18-19
Psalms 119:50
Psalms 119:105
Oxygen – God’s Presence
Acts 3:19
Psalms 16:11
Psalms 91:1-2
We must keep this fire going in order to win this generation and change the world around us. This world depends on our fire in order to stay warm and stay alive.
