Category: Uncategorized

May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, in me as it is in heaven!

We can be rejected from what we think is God’s will for the purpose of coming into His will and calling .It’s not always about the title or position, but all about His kingdom and His will inside of me, in my heart, at the core of my being. He wants, calls and prepares servants, ready to go wherever, do whatever and however he chooses. Like Abraham, He calls us to abandon what we know for that which is beyond our scope of knowledge and understanding.

Hebrews chapter 11 talks about Abraham’s faith; how he “went out not knowing where he was going.” He didn’t have a big picture to look at, but he knew that God spoke to him and called him to abandon his homeland for the promise of a kingdom he could not see, one that is not made with hands, whose builder and maker is God.

God is leading me and preparing to do His will, as a faithful, humble, obedient servant.

God is not hiring.

He’s not looking for employees. He’s looking for yielded hearts, ready and willing to serve Him. And so, my fitting and appropriate response to His call to serve Him is simply to surrender daily, and keep on surrendering, humbling myself before Him, on the inside of me, my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

So often the disciples argued over who was first and the greatest. They were fighting for positions instead of seeking the Kingdom of God. But Peter, James and John weren’t any different than the rest of us. We’re all searching for significance, a greater purpose and meaning to our lives. Deep down inside we’re all like that; ambitious, ready to pounce on the next big opportunity. We’ll do whatever it takes to look good and be seen as important. But the first thing God is looking for is a willingness to love and serve Him and other people. In fact, our love for others demonstrates our love for Him and proves that we are His children, His followers.

Jesus rejects people who are busy doing what they think is His work.

Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
[21]  “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.21-23.NLT

He wants our hearts, not just our works. Works without faith is just religion. Faith without works is a dead faith. When the heart of a servant is sold out to Christ and His kingdom, nothing will stop them. Anything short of a heart fully surrendered to the kingdom of God is just lip service and religion.

I find myself too focused on my flesh. Not just from time to time, but constantly. Perhaps my biggest enemy to overcome is my own fleshly human nature, with its lusts and desires. The enemy knows my weaknesses and plays on them. Too often I give in to my fleshly desires.

How can I be a true servant of the Lord if I’m constantly in my flesh? Not in a physical sense, because I can’t escape my flesh altogether, but in a mental and spiritual sense.

Jesus said His Kingdom is not of this world and neither are those who are of His Kingdom. Which means that we enter a new and different kingdom when we are born again of the Spirit. While we must remain in these earthly bodies as long as we live and breathe, we can live as citizens of God’s kingdom. While we are in this world, we don’t have to be friends with this world. James wrote:

James 4:4-6 NLT
[4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. [5] Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. [6] And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.4-6.NLT

So perhaps I’m still a friend of the world too much; more often than I realize or am willing to admit.

Paul wrote extensively about this flesh against the spirit dilemma in Romans and the other Epistles. It’s because of our flesh and our inability to overcome the flesh that Jesus came. What the law could not do, God did by sending His Son in the likeness of human flesh, to defeat the flesh by nailing it to the cross.

When I attempt to overcome and defeat my flesh with my own strength and efforts, I fail miserably. I may experience temporary, short lived bursts of success when I put my mind to it, aka willpower. But I need to realize I don’t have to fight against my own flesh by my own wit.

I must relinquish lordship of my own life and heart in holy surrender to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and allow my Counselor, my Helper,my Comfortor and Teacher to lead and guide me. This is what it means to worship Him in spirit and in truth; to love Him with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I must give Him all of me. I can’t give him most of me but keep a little bit for my own foolish pleasure. Unless and until I’m fully surrendered to Him, I’ll remain in the flesh, a carnally minded Christian, having a form of belief, but denying His power within me.

Am I still focusing on and struggling with my flesh? When will I learn to completely let go? This battle does not belong to me, but to Him who shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. My best recourse and response is total abandonment my life, my will, my all, so that Christ can live in and through me.

I find myself, lately, surrendering to God and His will all day, every day. I’m constantly denying myself, taking up my cross and following Him, because the way of my flesh only leads to destruction and death.

So am I too focused on my flesh? Not as much as I was previously. It’s a daily repentance, resurrection and restoration. It’s a lifelong journey, lived day by day. When I focus on Him through daily prayer and meditation on scripture, my focus changes. He has the best plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11)

Psalms 119:65-72 NLT
[65] You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. [66] I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. [67] I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. [68] You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. [69] Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. [70] Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. [71] My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. [72] Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.65-72.NLT

V67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

V71 It is good for me that I was afflicted (suffered), that I might learn (pay attention, take heed according to) your statutes

V75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me (allowed me to experience much loss and suffering)

Jeremiah 31:18-19 NLT
[18] I have heard Israel saying, ‘You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord my God. [19] I turned away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’

https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.31.18-19.NLT

Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT
[5] And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. [6] For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” [7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? [8] If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. [9] Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? [10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. [11] No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.5-11.NLT

Discipline is good and necessary for life; for learning how to live as children of God.
If our earthly fathers disciplined us and we received it, how much more should we endure the discipline and suffering that our heavenly Father uses to purify and test us.

Silver and gold are tested and purified by fire. God tests and purifies our hearts with and through His word (Proverbs 17:3). He’s transforming us by renewing our minds, making us more and more like Him, instead of conforming to the image of this world (Romans 12:1&2)

Proverbs 8:10-11 ESV
[10]  Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, [11]  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.8.10-11.ESV

Proverbs 8:19-21 NLT
[19] My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! [20] I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. [21] Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.8.19-21.NLT

God’s discipline comes as we take heed (listen intently and put into practice) according to His word. His wisdom is imparted through the living power of His word; His instructions, His wisdom and knowledge, are better than riches, than much gold and silver. Her proceeds are better than the finest jewels.
His gifts, His wages are the payoff for the discipline we endure as children of God. Walking the path of righteousness and justice are the results of accepting and enduring the discipline and correction of God.

Suffering comes as we wander away from God, from His will, His word and commandments. As we allow the world to influence us, taking us further away from God, into darkness and outside of His Kingdom, it isn’t hard to remember Him, to repent and return to Him, allowing him to rescue and restore us by the living power of His word. Don’t despise His word or His discipline, because it’s His name you are wearing. It is His image that He’s shaping you into. He is molding you, your heart, mind, soul and strength, as you look more and more like Him daily; on the inside first, and eventually the outside behavior and attitudes and what other people see. When His light shines bright through you, others will see your good works and your Father in heaven will be glorified .

When we think about the times we have strayed from God; from His word, His will, His discipline, we remember how we used to have it; how we lived in love, peace, joy and in mercy and grace, loving and freely forgiving others, as we followed Him. What we had when we wandered was chaos and disorder, being filled with anxiety, stress, depression, evil thoughts and desires of the flesh; lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life consumed us; our hearts, mind and body. We pushed God away. Then we realized how much we’ve lost and suffered.
It’s never too late to return, as the prodigal son did. Not as a wandering vagabond, but as a son and heir of the promises of God

Isaiah 43:18 NIV
[18] “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.43.18.NIV

Dwelling on my past has been my downfall too many times and for too long. There are at least two facets of my past that often capture my attention and consume my time; the bad things, and the good things.

The bad things are

1.  my past sins and failures

2. the mistakes I’ve made and all of the things I wish I have done; regrets and the like

3. All of the bad stuff that’s happened to me in the past, stuff that others have done to me through no fault or invitation of my own.

Dwelling on all of this robs me of my inner peace and joy. Instead I’m consumed with bitterness, anger, resentment and grievances.

I must learn to live by grace through faith, which means to extend the same measure of grace, forgiveness and mercy to others regardless of whether or not they are sorry. By faith I believe in Him and the living power of His word in bringing healing to my own soul as I learn to forgive others And forgive myself.

God remembers my sins no more, and I must be ready and willing to do the same for my neighbor (love your neighbor as yourself).

The other facet of dwelling on my past is remembering the good times, when everything was going well and I was experiencing a period of success and good fortune. My family life was good and healthy, my career and finances were great. I had no worries. Life was good. Oh why can’t I go back to those times or experience that same measure of success!

Good and bad times come and go. Our past is our past for a reason.  God desires to move us forward as we trust and obey him.

He wants to do a new thing in us; not just once, but every day as we reach out to Him in faith. Every day is a new day; a chance to start over, or to continue on the path He has laid out for us, as He desires. Life is a journey lived one day, one leg at a time.

We are His workmanship, His masterpiece. Created for good works in Christ, that we might walk in them.

Philippians 3:12-13 NLT
[12] I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.12-13.NLT

I focus on this one thing; forgetting the past and pressing onward and forward as He leads me every day and every step of the way.

Runners in a race rarely look behind them. instead they focus on the path in front of them. Looking and focusing  on what or who is behind them can trip them up. Staying the course will serve to ensure they finish their race and win the prize. Every runner is running for the same prize. Run in such a way as to win that prize.

Proverbs 7:1-5 NKJV
[1] My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. [2] Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

[3] Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, [5] That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.

https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.7.1-5.NKJV

The phrase “apple of my eye” refers in English to something or someone that one cherishes above all others. It signifies a person who holds a special place in someone’s heart. Originally, the phrase was simply an idiom referring to the pupil of the eye.

What does the apple of my eye symbolize?

As anyone or anything that someone loves the most. And is extremely proud of protecting at all costs.

What does the Bible mean by the apple of the eye?

It is God’s desire to keep you and every believer as the apple of His eye; the center of God’s attention, in the palm of His hand. This is the one on one, Mano e Mano relationship God our Creator Stronghold desires for each and everyone of His children

Moses first used the phrase as a poetic description to express God’s providential care for Israel during the nation’s wilderness wanderings: “He kept him as the apple of His eye” (Dt. 32:10). In practical terms, the phrase speaks of God’s awareness of all abuse and harmful actions against the nation of Israel.

Here in Proverbs 7:2 Solomon uses this phrase “keep my teaching as the apple of your eye”

Meaning: fix your eyes on Me, on my commandments. Keep your eyes, not just your physical sense of sight, but your mind’s eye, on Me and My Kingdom.

Jesus says

Matthew 6:22-23 NLT
[22]  “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. [23] But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.22-23.NLT

And,

Matthew 5:29 NKJV
[29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.29.NKJV

Keeping God’s word; his commandments, his precepts, wisdom instructions, etc, at the center of your attention, will guide your affections and intents of your heart.

Proverbs chapter 7, like numerous scriptures in Proverbs, uses the imagery of a seductress or promiscuous woman, both literally and figuratively, warning us of the hidden traps of sexual forces that seduce men physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Adultery and all forms of sexual immorality are perhaps, the most prominent and widespread area of temptation, sin and idolatry.

True wisdom and understanding come from God and hiding his word in your heart, that you might not sin against him (Psalm 119:11).

God’s word in all of its Living Power (Hebrews 4:12) gives us godly wisdom, knowledge, understanding, guidance and protection in times of great temptations, trials and tribulations, to keep you as the apple of His eye, to hide you under the shadow of His wings.

When God’s word; His commandments, laws, testimonies, precepts, statutes and the like, hold your attention and become the focus of your life…”the apple of your eye” the works of your flesh won’t have fuel to fan the flames of lust an temptation that lead you into sin.

“What you feed will grow, what you starve will die.“(Unknown)

Feed the flesh and the lustful desires of your eyes and your flesh will consume your heart and mind. If you feed your spirit on God’s word, the hidden power of His word will take over and overshadow the lusts and desires that vye for your attention and affection.

Who or what is the Apple of your eye? If it’s God’s word, you will flourish and grow. If it’s worldly lusts and desires that consume your heart, all you’ll end up with is the rotten core that only decays and eventually is destroyed.

To the Choirmaster, of David, The SERVANT OF THE LORD.

Psalm 36:1-12 ESV
[1] Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. [2]  For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. [3] The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. [4] He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.

[5] Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. [6]  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.

[7]  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [8] They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. [9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

[10] Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! [11] Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. [12] There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.36.1-12.ESV

Psalms 119:49 NKJV
[49] Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.49.NKJV

The servant of the Lord

Psalm 36 introduction: To the Choirmaster

Of David

The servant of the Lord

If there’s any name, title or position in life I would like to aspire to, it would be “servant of the Lord.”

It’s not so much what I see or how I see or feel about myself, it’s how God sees me on the inside, in my heart at the core of my being.

One thing we see in David’s life becomes evident when read about his life in the Old Testament narratives, and as we read through the Psalms, most of which are attributed to David. This one trait about his character is His humility before God. He constantly and continually humbles himself before the living God. He sees himself as God sees him; servant of the Lord.

What does it mean to be the servant of the Lord?

We this term and concept over and over in the lives of those God calls, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament; Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the Prophets, the apostles, etc.

They all share one common thread; they all hear the voice of God calling, they humble themselves before Him and poise themselves to listen to His word to them. They all see themselves as “servant of the Lord.”

A servant is simply one who follows and serves a Master. In this sense, they respond to their Lord and Master, the one True God, who has spoken and called them. It takes a humbling of oneself; deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him, in order to respond appropriately to God’s voice.

A servant of the Lord is one who has abandoned everything else for the sole purpose of following God and His call on their life. A true servant is one who has put everything under the Lordship of the One who has called him. All of his ideas, ambitions, goals and aspirations are put aside and filtered through the lens of God’s will and purpose.

A true servant, like Abraham, steps out in faith and moves forward, not knowing where he is going, and trusting God completely in the journey. (Hebrews 11:1ff).

A servant of the Lord is one who is determined in their heart, mind, soul and strength to go wherever God leads, do whatever He commands, allowing Him to steer the course of their lives, along with those in their family.

A servant of the Lord gives up the idea of knowing everything, for the purpose of being a true servant. One who serves the Lord by serving other people.

Jesus tells us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves.  On these two commandments hang all of the law and the Prophets. The entire word of God is complete and fulfilled when we love God and one another; living, loving and serving one another as Christ loves us and gave his life for

So he asks us in return to give our lives away daily so that His love can be perfected in and through those who are willing to trust and obey, as His servants. His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control will guide us through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in those who have surrendered their hearts, repent and believe in Him and the life transforming power of His word

Are you willing to be a servant of the Lord?

Do you hear His voice on the inside, in your heart? Is He King of your heart? Is seated on the throne? Is He truly the Lord, Savior and Master of your life?

This is the calling! How will you respond,?

The old idiom, “putting all of your eggs in one basket” is a warning against putting all your efforts or resources into one thing, as you could lose everything if it fails.  This is true of investments, business ventures or any other opportunity that comes my/our way.

I have this tendency to go all in when it comes to new ventures. When a door of opportunity opens to me I’ll take it and run with it, often focusing all of my attention and efforts on that one thing. While giving it our all is rarely a bad thing, we can become so singularly focused that we neglect equally important tasks and responsibilities.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.7-8.NLT

Spreading myself out so that I can give proper attention to more than one opportunity is the wiser way to go, yet not allowing myself to be “stretched too thin” which is another idiom meaning to be overcome and over burdened by too many responsibilities.

A proper balance starts with prayer ; putting God, His kingdom, His mission, His will first and foremost. Then trusting Him to guide and direct my path and allow Him to open doors as I ask, seek, and knock.

Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
[7]  “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.7-8.NLT

I can do all things through him who gives me strength 💪👊💯

Life is going great. I’m happy and blessed. My days are filled with God’s love and grace. I’m truly living a life of meaning and purpose. I’m on a spiritual high. I’m reading my Bible and praying every day and having sweet fellowship with those around me. God is speaking to me and I’m listening. And he’s hearing me, my heart, my prayers, etc.

Then comes a bump in my road, a rough spot on my path. Outside confrontation and disagreement come. I’ve offended someone and that someone goes on the defensive and now there’s division, dissension, hurt feelings, etc.

Isn’t that like the enemy to throw a wrench my way, to trip me up and pull the rug out from under me?

Then my mind starts playing tricks on me. Overthinking, overreacting, making assumptions and making mountains out of mole hills, thinking there’s more to the adverse reactions and responses I’ve drawn from others. I start to imagine things are worse than they actually are.

Isn’t that how the enemy works? Getting under our skin with the ordinary, every day problems?

But Jesus has already gone before me and slain the enemy. I need not entertain the negative thoughts that attempt to invade my mind and rob my of inner peace, steal my joy, kill my hope, and destroy the foundation that I have in Christ.

Matthew 7:24-25 NLT
[24]  “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.24-25.NLT

Worrying about stuff we have no or little control over is a pointless activity in our daily lives.

One preacher put it this way;

“we spend so much time and energy worrying about stuff that eventually works out. Who can add single day to their life by worrying?”

Worry, stress, anxiety, etc, are major consumers of our peace of mind. All of these negative emotions and feelings feed on our soul and rob us of inner joy, steal our peace and destroy our hope.

This is the number one enemy of our souls.

Instead let us take heed to the words of apostle Paul;

Philippians 4:6-8 NLT
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.6-8.NLT

I always like to include Philippians 4:8 in this scripture reading because Paul instructs us on where our attention and focus should be, instead on our problems, negative thoughts and emotions.

May our focus be on the One who sees and knows everything about us (Psalms 139) and not on that which we have little to no control over. A proper focus gives a proper and better perspective and all of those things will take a back seat to the truth that sets us free.