Thoughts on Life
Living Life God’s Way and Enjoying it Too
from the desk of John Grant
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. – Psalm 139:7-8
One hymn that blesses me most begins with “Holy, Holy, Holy” and ends with the trilogy of “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” As Christians, God is within us in Himself, His Son and the Holy Spirit.
I remember when my wife was explaining her faith to a Jewish girl, who commented that her faith had one god and ours had three. My wife explained the trinity to her.
Both faiths worship the same God. We as Christians recognize that He sent His only son as Messiah on earth to save His people. Jesus paid the ransom for our sin and then went back to heaven, but did not leave us alone.
The Spirit will not prompt us to do anything that goes against Scripture. Make sure we’re listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, not the voice of your own desires. We know which is which by checking this voice against the truth of God’s Word.
God made us. Jesus paid for our sins and the Holy Spirit lives within us. Once we ask Jesus into our heart, He plants the Holy Spirit there for all of our life, as counselor, guide and provider of peace, knowing our weakness and revealing Jesus purpose for our lives.
TAKE ACTION: When you awaken, whisper the name of Jesus to become aware of the ever presence of the Holy Spirit within your heart. He is there ready to lead, guide and keep you focused on Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank you that you have not left me alone and that the Holy Spirit gives me leading, Godly wisdom and reminds me of my sin. With the Holy Spirit, I can take each day step by step and live my life for Christ.
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Goals and Dreams:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile. – Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
So… what do you want to be when you grow up? I have BIG dreams and goals and aspirations. What are they? When I grow up I want to…
And the conversation goes from there. Whether it be a child, a student, a graduate, or an adult considering their first, second or third career. As we grow up and mature, many times those plans change. Sometimes they change numerous times.
Many times, at least in our minds, we’ll have it all planned out. Know each step we want to take and how we are going to get there. We’ll know exactly what we need to do in an unknown future. Many times we don’t.
To me, that’s the beauty of faith in Jesus. He has a plan for us. He knows what the future holds. He allows us to make our choices and go our own way. But He knows the plans He has for us if we just trust, follow and believe. We have to give Him our fears and our dreams even the Big Ones. We give Him even the dreams that we want so bad that we’re afraid to say them out loud. Often we are afraid to share them for fear of what others might say or think. He wants us to trust Him with even those dreams, and follow Him.
And that’s the hard part… no matter what our age or life experience. Sometimes it is just hard to trust like that. Sometimes it just seems easier to go our own way or just let our dreams die. Forgetting that quite often those dreams are placed in our minds, hearts and souls but the Maker of our minds, hearts and souls.
I think Corrie ten Boon said it best when she said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
In Him we have hope and a future. We can trust Him with everything, even our goals and dreams.
“Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (Marty Stubblefield)
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
Chuck Swindoll says, “Leaders who refuse to be accountable to anyone, forfeit the right to be trusted and followed.” Surround yourself with several professionals who will tell you if you are leading with integrity, i.e. doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34
Only the man, who can impose discipline on himself, is fit to discipline others, wrote William Feather. Self-discipline is a MUST for all leaders regardless of venue. Check yourself and be accountable to others.
Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read atwww.thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog.
The items appearing in this publication are the personal thoughts and based on true life experiences of the author, as well as various articles, quotes and humorous stories contributed by others. Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected].
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