Live Life to the Full
"Now listen you who say, 'today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow, what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'if it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. (James 4:13-14)."
We all have a tendency to think that we have much time left here on earth....much time to get things done, much time to live life, much time to follow Christ, but the truth is-none of us know when we will take our last breath. We live for the moment, often times selfishly, without giving a thought to others around us or to the One who created us. We stay so busy with work, family, sports, school and recreational activities that we neglect to listen to the Spirit, the voice of Truth, to guide us in all that we do. There are so many opportunities for us to advance the kingdom, but if we are not in tune with the Spirit, we will miss out on these precious moments that we may never have again.
Jesus said to "Follow Me." To follow means, 'to copy after or imitate; to keep the mind on.' He didn't say, follow these rules and regulations, to do better or try harder, He simply said, "Follow Me." He was and is our perfect example. He came to earth and humbled Himself as a servant, loving people, forgiving, restoring, giving light, speaking the truth and pointing everyone He met to His Father. That is the goal for each one of us. You are not still here by accident. God created you for His glory. He made you in His glorious image to spread the light of the gospel to the ends of the earth. That is your purpose my friend. Jesus was very clear in this. Our life is not about worldly possessions or prestige or power. It is about dying to our self daily (our wants and will) and surrendering to the lordship of Christ. It is being obedient to Him whatever the cost. "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)."
To hear the voice of the Lord, you must tune out everything else around you. God doesn't shout, although He could. He could also communicate through a whirlwind, a voice that sounds like thunder or mighty rushing waters, but often times He speaks in a still, small voice that comes from deep within. "and after the eathquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire, a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12)." When God speaks, it is always for your good and it will always line up with His word. He will never coerce you into doing something, but will gently prompt you through His Spirit. His word is His love letter to you. Your heart simply needs to be open and receptive. His word is our instruction manual for life. In it, we will find everything we need to grow in Him. But you cannot grow if you don't get in His word. Your mind cannot be renewed if you don't meditate on His word. There are so many things that come against us in this world, that if we are not grounded in the truth, we could easily slip back into sin and end up in a place we do not want to be.
Jesus came and died so that we could have abundant life. One that is filled with peace and joy unspeakable regardless of our circumstances. He, however, is the true vine and we can do nothing apart from Him (that is to live a true disciple life and bring forth fruit for God's glory). Abide in(follow, adhere to, stand by, obey) Christ. In Him, there is fullness of joy. He will equip you with all you need to live and walk as He did. When you feel like you cannot go on, He will supply the grace you need. When you face hard times and horrific circumstances, He will give you comfort and the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)."
If you don't know Jesus as Lord, cry out to Him today. He is waiting for you. There is no special prayer you need to pray. Just tell Him you need Him, that you can't and do not want to do it anymore on your own. Tell Him you believe that He is Lord of all and died on the cross for your sins and ask Him to forgive you. He will give you a new heart and place His Spirit in you and teach you to follow Him (Ezekiel 36:26-27). You may not feel any different at the moment, but you can be assured, that you are forever changed! Why? Because God's promises are sure. "That if you confess with you mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9-13)."
We all have a tendency to think that we have much time left here on earth....much time to get things done, much time to live life, much time to follow Christ, but the truth is-none of us know when we will take our last breath. We live for the moment, often times selfishly, without giving a thought to others around us or to the One who created us. We stay so busy with work, family, sports, school and recreational activities that we neglect to listen to the Spirit, the voice of Truth, to guide us in all that we do. There are so many opportunities for us to advance the kingdom, but if we are not in tune with the Spirit, we will miss out on these precious moments that we may never have again.
Jesus said to "Follow Me." To follow means, 'to copy after or imitate; to keep the mind on.' He didn't say, follow these rules and regulations, to do better or try harder, He simply said, "Follow Me." He was and is our perfect example. He came to earth and humbled Himself as a servant, loving people, forgiving, restoring, giving light, speaking the truth and pointing everyone He met to His Father. That is the goal for each one of us. You are not still here by accident. God created you for His glory. He made you in His glorious image to spread the light of the gospel to the ends of the earth. That is your purpose my friend. Jesus was very clear in this. Our life is not about worldly possessions or prestige or power. It is about dying to our self daily (our wants and will) and surrendering to the lordship of Christ. It is being obedient to Him whatever the cost. "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)."
To hear the voice of the Lord, you must tune out everything else around you. God doesn't shout, although He could. He could also communicate through a whirlwind, a voice that sounds like thunder or mighty rushing waters, but often times He speaks in a still, small voice that comes from deep within. "and after the eathquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire, a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12)." When God speaks, it is always for your good and it will always line up with His word. He will never coerce you into doing something, but will gently prompt you through His Spirit. His word is His love letter to you. Your heart simply needs to be open and receptive. His word is our instruction manual for life. In it, we will find everything we need to grow in Him. But you cannot grow if you don't get in His word. Your mind cannot be renewed if you don't meditate on His word. There are so many things that come against us in this world, that if we are not grounded in the truth, we could easily slip back into sin and end up in a place we do not want to be.
Jesus came and died so that we could have abundant life. One that is filled with peace and joy unspeakable regardless of our circumstances. He, however, is the true vine and we can do nothing apart from Him (that is to live a true disciple life and bring forth fruit for God's glory). Abide in(follow, adhere to, stand by, obey) Christ. In Him, there is fullness of joy. He will equip you with all you need to live and walk as He did. When you feel like you cannot go on, He will supply the grace you need. When you face hard times and horrific circumstances, He will give you comfort and the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)."
If you don't know Jesus as Lord, cry out to Him today. He is waiting for you. There is no special prayer you need to pray. Just tell Him you need Him, that you can't and do not want to do it anymore on your own. Tell Him you believe that He is Lord of all and died on the cross for your sins and ask Him to forgive you. He will give you a new heart and place His Spirit in you and teach you to follow Him (Ezekiel 36:26-27). You may not feel any different at the moment, but you can be assured, that you are forever changed! Why? Because God's promises are sure. "That if you confess with you mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9-13)."
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