January 20, 2013 – Pastor Tim – “God is Everything” – Click to download
Philippians 1:20 (NLT), “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”
It all starts here. Before you can go any further you have to understand this one main point. Ready? God is everything and EVERYTHING COUNTS. Everything you do, do as a servant of God. Everywhere you go, go with God at your side. Every person you meet, greet then as a child of God. You have to be willing to give the whole sha-bang of your being to this journey, or else you’re just reading words. James 1:21-25, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
The one thing we all have that no one can ever take away from us is our individual selves. No one can ever take it—but each of us can give it away. This can be difficult, yet simple as well as regretful—examples, job, Navy, drugs alcohol. But, once we give all that we are to God, we will begin an adventure like nothing we’ve ever experienced. Hebrews 12:1-4, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”
Arrogance or a misguided love for ourselves is one thing that keeps us from making the decision. We many even say, “I’m trying not to offend others.” When we consider the offending of others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He does not know what our obedience will mean/cost. Here’s what we should understand, He does know. We must shut out every other consideration and keep ourselves before God—for this one thing that matters. We are created and delivered by Christ to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone.”
Jesus commissioned His disciples in Luke 9:3-6, “And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”
So, when you pray ask God to use all of you—all your talents, all your mind, all your heart—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Ask God to use all of you so that no part of your mind, body and soul will go unused. Ask—and then listen.
God First, God Last, God in all things. God in all ways. Can you handle that? Okay then, let go and let God.
You must be logged in to post a comment.