Thursday, March 23, 2017

Serving in Peace Versus Preoccupation – Conclusion

The Word; our guide to peaceful serving
Much has changed in the two thousand years since the events recorded in the Gospels about Martha and Mary. However, our God and Father is the same GOD today as He was then and His desires for His children – that we honor and believe in the finished work of His SON; that we own and live in the fullness of life and power that comes from HIM – are the same today as they were then. 

God does not change.

To ensure that we are never deprived of  His goodness and favor for living and service, the Father gave us the WORD and the Holy Spirit to enlighten us through it. By meditating on it and putting it into practice daily, we will learn what the LORD requires of us as we live and serve His people – how to do His will with joy and gladness. 

We will be able to serve in a posture of peace, with JESUS always beside us and not off on the sidelines somewhere for an occasional notice every now and then; and we do all things to the glory of God the Father.

Know that any confusion or disorder in our lives is not of GOD.   
  • For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. 1 Corinthians 14:33

Ask GOD for help and guidance in everything – we do not depend solely on our feelings and intellect. Feelings are not reality and can deceive us into making bad decisions.
  • ….do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take….Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-8
  • O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Psalm 71:1

GOD designed each of us uniquely and for a specific purpose; we must ask Him what His plan is for us and work towards perfecting that. Outside our designed purpose we are less likely to enjoy what we do.
  • You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. Psalm 119:73
  • You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16

Pride and selfish gain ought not to be our motive in serving GOD’s people; GOD alone must get glory from our service and He does not share with anyone. We should be grateful and humble that we have been chosen to serve.
  • I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit. Leviticus 26:19-20
  • Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Our work should never be more important to us than the Creator who gives us work and strength to work.
  • All craftsmen who make idols will be humiliated. They will all be disgraced together. Isaiah 45:16
  • Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle… Psalm 144:1
  • God is our refuge and strength.. Psalm 46:1
  • The Lord gives his people strength. Psalm 28:8

Fear and intimidation causes undue anxiety and stress. We have no reason to fear – GOD is with us always, we are never alone.
  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
  • “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
  • Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

Prayer and ThanksgivingAbba Father, we thank you that all your promises are yes and amen! We have YOUR gift of peace and fullness of life, and YOUR steadfast love and mercy is always within reach. YOU are our FATHER and our GOD who say to us, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” and in that we rest in perfect peace. You are for us and not against us; you give us a future and a hope; with you on our side we have victory, power and life everlasting. To YOU alone belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile


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