Are You Part Of God’s Living Presence In The Present?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s scripture calls us to place our lives before God, to yield our bodies, minds and wills to Him. We are called to strive, to learn the difference between making a decision of becoming a Christian and being committed to seeing it fulfilled in our daily lives. We are called to fix our attention on God, embracing and engaging in what He is doing in our life this very moment right now. We are to be open to God’s new plan in us. We are to be with and for God this very moment. Are You Part Of God’s Living Presence In The Present?
Scripture: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Top of Form
Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Bottom of Form
Romans 8:28-37 (NRSV)
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Jeremiah 29: 4-7 (NRSV)
Message: The call of Christianity…the call to commitment in Christ, is a call to yielding to the love of God in Jesus…submitting to Him our body, mind and will so that our body may be healed, our will used for something good and that we might rejoice in the love of life. The plan is for us to have a renewed mind that brings us prosperity.
And I have been witness to the hope of it these last few days in Earth Day Celebrations and dance performances of Immokalee youth with iCo and the Taste of Immokalee fundraisers and Basketball Clinics and Golf Tournaments with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. All of them have tried to become focused on engaging those of good faith and good will, developing joint initiatives and building capacity of others for God’s glory.
But in the process it is easy to lose the moment.
Friends, despite the sin of the world many people do not deny the experience of God and do seek to understand His will. Make no mistake, God’s love is real in our lives and so is His will, and though we can deny it and refuse it, be assured, it is always the right thing. So, we need to surrender to it and we need to stand firm with it proving it good, acceptable and perfect. Remember the steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord and they bring Him delight…they bring us a light to direct our paths. They bring us to our purpose of glorifying God.
Friends, God has a plan for us and it is one of prosperity. But for the moment some of us are still in exile, for the moment some of us are held captive in a world of sin. But the Good News is that even here we can choose His blessings if we trust in Him and not to our own understanding. Friends, being a casual Christian is not enough. We need to be committed to the person of Jesus Christ right here and right now. We need to be committed to the purpose of God the Father as we understand it right here and right now. And as best we know how, we need to be committed to the people He has filled with the Holy Spirit and has brought into our lives this day. This is serious business. Casual Christians conform to the world. Committed ones are being transformed and sanctified. God is doing this in us so we may discern His good will for us. So choose this day as we engage, develop and build to live each moment with the influence of salt and light. We are to choose this day to be obedient. We are to choose this day to seek the peace and prosperity of each moment in the presence of God for our family, friends and community.
Pray that we commit ourselves to the Lord. Pray that we have enough sense to choose the greater possibilities in lives that seek and follow His plan. Pray we commit ourselves to personal growth. Pray we commit ourselves to the body of believers. Pray we make a commitment putting our talents and abilities to work. Pray we be available to work with other believers in ministry. Pray that we live in the Holy Spirit that knows the will of God…that we live in the Holy Spirit that gives life to our mortal minds and bodies and bears witness that we our His.
Pray that we will see God at work in our lives today bringing love…casting out fear…bringing us joy, peace, acceptance, inheritance, deliverance, grace, hope…. the bounty of His righteous salvation.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 