A constant state of motion

Life, a great gift from God to each of us , a constant state of motion that continues to keep us moving forward to the end no matter what our plans are, life can seem cruel, fast-paced, uneasy, frustrating, unfair, overwhelming or pleasant, good, perfect and trouble free ,  either way life is life and one day the life we now live will all come to an end, the secret to living is knowing that you are in the hands of God, and God is in control. 

We are given by God every opportunity to serve Him where He places us, the problem is we focus on us and not Him and we get stuck there instead of moving on.

God is always working in us, through us and for us, when we get stuck we are not in motion, God has great plans for each of us and His plans include our growth, spiritually. He is conforming us into the image of His Son, which is a forward motion,  not sideways or backward if you’re going backward or sideways know it is not what God has in store for us.

God places in us in different situations not so He can see how we will react, but that we will know that He is God, we can complain, fret or go with Him. 

None of us plan on getting sick, having cancer, being financially bankrupt, or having our lives come to a complete stop with the unexpected death of a loved one, but God is not surprised in any of these situations He is there with us.

When I put Christ above my comfort and convenience, I don't think of me or my problems I think of Him, and all He has done for me, is doing for me and what He will do which is see me through whatever comes my way. I have peace in Christ for He is my hope and salvation.

We can have peace in the midst of the storms of life knowing that God is for us  and that in His Hands we have nothing to fear, ever. This confidence is not in our flesh or circumstances but in God alone, we can rest assured in the promises of His word, and in the presence of His Holy Spirit. He is my confidence and strength, I pray He is yours.

The more time we spend in prayer the more time we spend with Him in His word and in fellowship with other believers, the more we see God working in the lives of us and others, God’s word says there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence. 

It is time we start living as if we are in the presence of God  because we are.

God’s word says this;

“You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God — not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

For if what was set aside was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious. Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:3-6, 11-12, 17-18 CSB

“Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.”

Psalms 139:1-10 CSB

“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.”

Philippians 1:6, 21-22 CSB

Born to serve

Spiritual leaders are not elected appointed or created by church assemblies or Christian universities.

God alone makes them,people do not become spiritual leaders by merely filling an office, or taking a college course or resolving in their own will to do it.

A person must qualify first to be a spiritual leader this means we must be humbled by God, we must submit to God, we must be seeking God first always.

Those called to leadership in God's kingdom, first learn leaders are servants, without a servants heart no one can be a leader.

Too many times we put our thoughts and our agenda above God's, thinking our way is the right way, I think of the story of the good Samaritan , he had no agenda, he was not distracted by business, he had compassion and mercy, he lifted up someone the world passed by and left for dead, he didn't think of himself, or the animosity between him and the man left for dead because of who they each were, or what was in it for him, he gave what he received, mercy, compassion and grace.

So many times we pass by those around us daily condemning them, or kicking them for their choices, walking around them instead of stopping and lifting them up and caring for them and loving them as Christ. 

True leaders seek God‘s kingdom first, they love God with all their heart mind and soul and love others as themselves.

Spiritual leader ship by definition requires the Holy Spirit to lead us ,as a chosen leader submits to the Holy Spirit the more power the Holy Spirit pours into them to reach others ,there is no such thing as a self made spiritual leader,  a true spiritual leader only influences others because the Holy Spirit is at work in their life and is working through them to build the kingdom of God.

God's word says this:

When a person’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 CSB

“Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.””

Luke 10:30-37 CSB

““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:3-12 CSB

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something. “What do you want?” he asked her. “Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to him. He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Matthew 20:20-28 CSB

A new command

Jesus said this in John: 13:34 (CSB)

"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.

We have missed the mark Jesus set, and still are missing the mark, Jesus said to love one another, as I have loved you.

What does that mean?

1st-Jesus loves us because we exist and He is love, no other reason is needed.

His love is not based on where we were born, to what family we are born into, what we do for a living, how good we are, or how bad we are or what we can do for Him.

Jesus doesn’t love us based on how much money we give, how much we time we serve Him, how many times we go to church, how many times we pray or read His word, no these things show how much we love Him.

Jesus said to love others as He loves us, so we should love others simply because they exist, and because they exist Jesus loves them, He died for them as He did us, He forgave and forgives all our sins and shortcomings, He tells us the truth about ourselves, where sin leads us and how it separates us from God the Father, He reminds us He is the only way, the truth and the life, and that no one get’s to the Father except through Him. He let’s us make choices on how we respond, He rejoices when we choose Him, and is saddened when mankind rejects Him. 

Jesus never came to condemn the world, nor did He come to condone the world’s behavior, He came to seek and save the lost, He loves us so much He left all He knew, gave all He had including His life so we could be drawn to God and have hope for today and tomorrow.

Do we love others this way? 

Are we willing to leave all we know, give all we have, including our lives to seek and save the lost?

All we have to do is step out our front doors and look around and we will find them!

Are you willing to love others as Jesus loves you?

Ask Him today to help you love others this way.

God’s word says this:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23-24 CSB

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:6-8 CSB

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.”

John 3:16-18 CSB

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 CSB

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.””

Luke 19:10 CSB

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.”

1 John 4:7-11 CSB

Under the feet of Jesus

Our lives are momentary reflections of what is going on around us, we are driven by the moment, life is an emotional roller coaster.

We focus on things instead of God, others and then ourselves. It's easy to be distracted and get caught up in the sea of life,  living in a busy world is distracting and we can be dragged out to sea easily if we don't tread lightly and stay away from the affairs of this world.

Life is overwhelming, depression, fear, anxiety, anger, grief, financial problems, health problems, family problems, they seem more intense as the days press on, even worse around holidays, in reality ,they are the same, our focus is changed because we are reflecting on them and dwelling on them, each of these things are all part of our story, which is a part of God's story. He is big enough, great enough and has overcome all of these things, we need to turn our eyes upon Him and trust Him.

We must make the choice to get out of the current that drags us down, if you get in over your head treading the waters of life, remember the waters are still under the feet of Jesus, reach up and take hold of His hands, focus on His face, listen to His voice. 

We must grab hold of these truths, cling to Christ and live our lives in a manner that the Lord's name will be exalted, we must choose moment by moment if need be who will live for, me, myself and I, or Jesus, others and you.

If you want the Joy of the Lord in your life then He must have first place always, when He is the desire of your heart everything else will fall into place.

God's word says this:

“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:3-11 HCSB

“Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come! ” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me! ” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt? ” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God! ””

Matthew 14:27-33 HCSB