Let Go and Let God
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s devotional is humbling for it is about enlightenment not entertainment. It is more about the process of preparing the messenger than preparing a message. It is about getting the words out of the way so God’s love can be released. Friends have asked me what is happening when I am writing these devotionals and I really have not had a very good answer. But as I meditate on it this morning I am convicted that at some fundamental level God is lovingly and gradually getting the “me” out of the way of people receiving the Divine Love of Christ. One of the first things that seems to happen is that I get empty so I can immerse in a study of the word. Then as the words on the page are ordered, a clarity forms that is not me at all. The process often prompts a conviction of prayer that heats my heart, melting it so I might know it is not about me but Christ and that what I need to do is to Let Go and Let God.
Scripture: See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10 (NIV)
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans . . . to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NRSV)
“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NRSV)
Message: Forgive me for the self-indulgence, but the goal, as least part of it, is to have the mind of Christ and that goes for me too. If we are to learn to think like Jesus, see others as Jesus does, and train our minds to analyze, reason, and plan like Jesus we need a little practice. The goal is to get better reaching out to others in self-denying love. And the scripture today about us becoming who we are meant to be in Christ is the way. So the simple message today is that God has a plan for you and me. If I can plant a seed, wonderful. But it is the harvest of the fruit that God desires. And that belongs to God. So today I do not have a writing plan other than to tell you that God does, so for Goodness Sakes let God write it on your hearts and as you each connect to the power and purpose of Jesus… let go and let God.
Pray we get out of the way so God can do what God has planned. Pray we all are givers of good news not just good advice. Pray we connect the commands of God to the cross of Christ. Pray we be clear that Jesus is the hero of the story and the power of the message. Pray we not get in the way of the Holy Spirit. Pray we take personal responsibility. Pray we not hold on to what we should release. Pray we are filled with grace. Pray we recognize the unity of Christ in the Holy Spirit. Pray we focus on transformation not information. Pray we surrender to an honest fellowship on a journey of love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 