Wherever He Leads

Recently, the Lord has allowed and enabled my husband and me to purchase a home close to our older daughter and her family. We never imagined we would have this opportunity but God is in the details and in fact, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, NIV, our Lord “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I want to share with you a few thoughts about how God moves in our lives and remind you when following God you do not need to know the all the details. The need-to-know-everything-at-all-times is part of the desire for self-reliance, self-advancement and self-sufficiency with which we are all too familiar. As Americans, we have been inundated with this philosophy and gladly espouse it to others readily.  God, on the other hand, expects us to be faithful and obedient without knowing all the details.

When we were looking at properties and I first noticed the house we ended up purchasing I really liked it but I did not entertain looking at it because I knew it was out of our price range. I recall mentioning the property to my husband who promptly replied, “Don’t even think about it—any offer we could afford to make wouldn’t be considered seriously”.  However, after much prayer, I was able to convince my husband to step out on faith and make an offer.

Much to the surprise of my husband and our realtor—who negotiated on our behalf—a bid just a couple of thousand dollars above our original bid was accepted by the sellers. Our realtor and the selling realtor had been so doubtful about the offer they negotiated informally and finalized the process only after the negotiations were finished.

While God has graciously provided us with a home close to our children I’m not exactly sure why He has moved us here. The reason may be revealed to me sometime later or I may never know…but knowing all the details is not necessary.

Seeing God at work in my life helps me to know that I’m where I’m supposed to be at this moment and I have faith that as I need to know the next step of the plan the Lord will reveal that to me also, in His perfect time, not mine.

As Christians we speak a great deal about knowing God’s will for our lives. It is important to know His will for our lives and our prayer each and every day should be, “Lord, what would you have me to do today”? Intelligent obedience knows God’s will; intentional obedience not only seeks His will but also submits to His will immediately. We are to make ourselves available to God—to do what He wants us to do when He wants us to do it and how He wants us to do it. Perfect obedience doesn’t need to know the all the details; perfect obedience just does—quickly, sweetly, and completely.

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” Psalm 119:93 NIV

God Bless!

Sharing Your Faith

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (HCSB)

We share our faith daily with others through the way we live. Others look at us to see if “we practice what we preach”. They look at our actions; our re-actions; and our attitudes. But what I’m speaking of at the moment is sharing with another the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian.

The how’s are easy enough to remember. We teach them in Sunday School regularly and in Vacation Bible School yearly. In fact, if your church purchases VBS materials through Lifeway, then you know that each year Jeff Slaughter writes a new ABC song each year.

This year’s song was called, “Why Don’t You?”  Jeff began the song with John 3:16. The chorus of the song used the ABCs of Becoming a Christian:

(A)  Admit to God you’re are a sinner

Repent and turn from your sin

(B)  Believe that Jesus is God’s Son

 And that He came into the world to save everyone

(C)  Confess your faith in Jesus

As your Savior and your Lord

And choose to live your life for Him forevermore 

Scripture verses associated with the ABCs are Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13. John 3:16 is also used. It has been said, John 3:16, the best known Bible verse, is the gospel in a nutshell. The Roman Road to Salvation, another popular way to share the how’s of becoming a Christian, uses these same verses. 

The why’s of becoming a Christian can be and should be answered with your own personal testimony. What was your life like before knowing Christ as your personal Savior and what is your life like now? How is your life different? Write down your personal story so that you can easily share it with others. 

Though well acquainted with the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian many still find sharing their faith with others difficult. Why? Is it fear of failure or is that we are stifled by feelings of inadequacy?

The modern world preaches self-sufficiency but as Christians we are to be completely reliant upon God who “has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant,” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV). “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose,” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

We are inadequate, but God is not. We are to have faith and make the effort; it is God who does the work. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ has said, “Witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.” When Jesus was telling His disciples of coming trials they would endure, He told them, “Just say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit,” Mark 13:11, NIV.

Jesus, your Lord and Savior, has done great and wonderful things for you. Go and tell others—they are waiting to hear your story. “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV.

God Bless!

Are You A Constant Complainer?

The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Numbers 21:7 (NIV)

Do you have a tendency to complain when things don’t go your way or when others don’t act as you feel they should? We’ve all fallen prey to this from time to time but have you made it your life’s work to complain about others? Consider this—when you complain against your church, your pastor or against fellow Christians, you are complaining against God.

We would all do well to take a moment to contemplate this truth. In the scripture above the Israelites realized they had sinned by speaking against the Lord and Moses. Fast forward: Saul, a young, well-educated, extremely religious, Jewish man and zealous persecutor of those belonging to “the Way”, while on the road to Damascus, was asked by Jesus, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9-1-5. Not, "why are you persecuting my followers" but, "why are you persecuting me?"

Constant complainers stir up trouble and alienate themselves from God and others. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ; encourage your pastor, his wife and other church leaders. Allow the love of Christ to shine through you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

God Bless!