God Thinking XLIV - Two Agendas 6

"God is calling you to believe what He says about the world system instead of what the world system says about God.   

• Instead of humble adoration of His holiness.
• Instead of grasping the mercy and grace of God
• Instead of a lofty view of an Awesome God
• Instead of a thankful and grateful heart
• Instead of being broken into pieces at the presence of God
• Instead of falling on our face before God
• Instead of trusting God implicitly
• Instead of commitment
• Instead of an insatiable hunger for the Word of God

Instead of what God says is His plan for us

I believe, we opt for much less of God and much more of the world than we realize.  But if we decide to do something about it, we will find God to be very accommodating.

Hear God’s heart on the issue:

1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Jesus thinks so highly of you and me that He trusts us to reveal Himself to a lost and dying world.  It’s true, you and I are His choice to represent Jesus Christ.  God also chooses to operate His will in us and through us. 

Jesus thinks you and I are worthy to represent Him and to reveal the Father to the unbelieving world, by our actions and by our words.
 

Hear what He says in His own words.
Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the alt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

V14 Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

V15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

V16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

 

How can we be sure if what we are doing is of God?

• Well, is it what God said to do?

• Does it have God’s signature on it?  In other words, is it supported in the Word?
• Does it bring God glory?
• Is it good, wholesome and pure?
• What is from God is good, wholesome and pure. 
• Does it benefit us and those around us?
• Does it look like, feel like, smell like, taste like or sound like the Word of God?
• Does it reveal your relationship with Christ, because God wants His Son lifted up, not hidden.
• Does it allow you to have peace in your heart?

 

How can we be sure if it is the voice of God that we are hearing? 

• Is it helpful and encouraging?
• Is it clear and easy to understand?
• Is the voice calling you to a quiet and peaceful life?
• Does it sound like the Word of God? 
• Does it speak of Jesus? 

It is easy to discern what is of God and easy to recognize God’s voice if we become familiar with God and His voice.

 

Let me ask you, “do you know the sound of your daughter’s voice or your son’s voice or your father’s voice or your mother’s voice?  Why is that?  Because you are familiar with it or you know it." 

Excerpt from God Thinking XLIV - Two Agendas by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2014