"From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your Life!
Lesson 6
by Sharon Leaf
"Am I up to the challenge?"
"Do I really want to change?"
"Am I a woman of courage?"
Part 1 ~ Preparing to serve
We have the ability to commune with God. He desires fellowship with us far more than we could ever desire for ourselves. That we could bring such joy and satisfaction to the Lord who has all of the heavens to enjoy is such a mystery to me. We are created in God's image and likeness so we have the unique ability to recognize the Father's voice, with the capability for intelligent, satisfying communion with Him. The Lord desires to bring us into an experience of communion with Him so that we might become one with Him inn the ongoing purpose of mankind.
If Jesus understands joyful surrender, then so can we. He lived to do exactly what His Father asked Him to do. This is what God desires of us. The goal of the Christian life is not only to live well and prosper; it is to live a surrendered life to Christ. As we surrender, He will fill us with His peace and show us the destiny to which we have been called. The joy of the surrendered life is knowing that god always has a tremendous return in mind for our obedience.
The Lord desires our attention. He is amazingly resilient to let us come back to Him time and time again. God is so absolute in His goodness, so full in His love, that He can expose Himself to the agony of rejected love without bitterness or change.
His love for us is intimate. He knows our thoughts, the number of hairs on our head (which changes momentarily!), the talents we ourselves may not even know that we have. He is a God of such great love that we cannot even imagine how close He will let us come to Him. As we learn to love obedience, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit can work hand in hand to supply all of our earthly needs. How exciting is that?
Love conquers all. The Bible has much to say about love. Love is patient, love is kind. We are called to mirror His love. "... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
Part 2 ~ Relationship with Him
We determine how deep we will allow Him in. Where are we in our faith in Him for handling our life tasks? Below is listed three levels to help access our relationship for dependence on Him.
- Accepting Child ~ We rest in Him, feel peaceful, respond to Him, and avoid doing wrong, so we can stay in a place of comfort.
- Searching Youth ~ We talk to Him and expect Him to answer. Obedience feels good, even when challenged.
- Seasoned Warrior ~ We wake each day wanting to know how He will use us. We have relinquished control of the tasks and strive for self-control of our emotions (peace), our body (respect), and our thoughts (proper).
Part 3 ~ We must learn to Wait
Our hearts must be prepared for Him before we are ready to serve. This is vital to obtaining the bigger assignments and essential in understanding the Holy Spirit in us. When Rob and I were on the train through Siberia I was content to go with the team to the elderly homes, the orphanages, and street witness in the cities. Then one day my team leader came to me and said, "I want you to be the team leader now." My heart raced and I thought I was going to faint right on the spot. Was I ready for the challenge? Then I remembered that God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for an obedient heart, and a heart that serves Him cheerfully. I had to change from a faint-hearted lady to a courageous warrior! Yes, I was a team leader! Why ? Because I did what I did best: I showed the Russian people the love of God through my hugs, my smiles, and my encouraging words. Then when they asked me why I was so happy--through my interpreter of course--I shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. How could they resist?
God is waiting for us to submit and allow Him to carry out His will through ... us! What are you waiting for? The truth is, Christ never moves away. We are the ones who shrug Him off. So He waits ...
Until next time ...
Whether near or far ...
Keep Reading, and keep that a body movin'!
www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com
No comments:
Post a Comment