What Do You Think God is Preparing Us For?
Good Morning Friends,
Our spiritual journey has some interesting twists and turns. Being prepared for them is not easy. Studying the Bible can help. Fellowshipping and worshipping in community can help. Still recent events boggle the mind and test the spirit. There is a bitterness that can poison us. Sometimes we get the sense we need to prepare for battle and forget the need for tilling the soil. Yes, at times we can barely see the ground in front of us… a place where spiritual discernment is the only way for us to face the decision of our next step. And sometimes we have to live into the answers with faith maybe not even believing but still praying for mercy and grace. But at other sometimes we look out over majestic vistas where seeing clearly we believe. So this morning we peak over the next hill and in hope we peak around the next corner…not knowing precisely where God is guiding us or exactly what will come next but still believing God will use it and us for a purpose. What Do You Think God is Preparing Us For?
Scripture: But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NRSV)
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
Lamentations 3:21-25 (NRSV)
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.
Hebrews 12:12-17 (NRSV)
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice,
Ephesians 4:31 (NRSV)
Message: Nothing can derail blessings more than bitterness prompted by another’s sin. For bitterness is a sin. Still we have been forgiven and we need to accept the forgiveness and forgive others. If we do not, bitterness will devastate us spiritually, destroy us physically, discourage us emotionally, divide our fellowships, defile relationships and deprive us of the blessing of the cross. Here believing in God’s faithfulness to us means everything. And because God has been faithful to us in so many ways even when we do not see it, so to we need to have faith. So when we stand on the precipice headed for trouble…we need to believe that God will be there turning our focus to the Cross where God’s faithfulness was fully demonstrated. And here friends we have to embrace the love, grace, mercy and power of God. Then we can receive His favor. Who knows, but I would like to think that even now the Holy Spirit is in us preparing the blessing. Maybe all we have to do is be sensitive and receptive to the Lord showing our love. Certainly He has already prepared great things for us if we love. Jesus even provides us with the demonstration of that love… He gave Himself for us. And the joy of seeing our changed lives share His great love is the blessing. Friends, God has prepared our deliverance, our healing; our work and future…even a table before us in the presence of our enemies. So don’t worry…be happy. God already made plans for everything and it is going to be wonderful.
Pray that we allow God’s Spirit to show His power in guiding our feet and actions. Pray we are prepared for the struggles to come. Pray our time of worship prepares our hearts. Pray we are always prepared to give. Pray we make preparations for peace. Pray we are prepared to be used in new ways. Pray God is preparing us for service. Pray God prepares us for the good works planned for us. Pray that no matter what the situation that the love of God can cover our hearts and minds so that you can be free. Pray we remember and meditate on the love of Christ for us. Pray we never forget how much we are loved. Pray we realize that God forgives us because God wants the best for us. Pray that His mysterious power would bring us the glory of Christ on the Cross so we might work together for God. Pray that in moments of being freed of bitterness, we would see that God has always been faithful. Pray we realize that God’s timing is perfect. Pray God is preparing us for heaven.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 