Keep Recognizing Jesus....

“…So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water (Matthew 14:30 GNB).”

I remember one of those old gangster rap songs I used to listen to, with part of the lyrics like this: Once again is the man with the master plan, they call him Sam….and I think you better recognize…

We have come to realize that every thing in life always follows a plan. Even as the old saying goes that, “if you fail to plan, then you have planned to fail.” And so it becomes necessary to make plans for our every circumstance in life, yet even more important, to recognize the Man with the master plan for our life. Only that His name is Jesus, the Christ, and not Sam as the lyric above suggests.

If we are truly recognizing our Lord, we have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers our circumstances in life.

We got into Nigeria last Friday after spending nine months out of the country, and the challenges of adjusting back to ‘normal’ life in Nigeria has been so tough. And we are aware of the evils which could be exhibited through us in our response to the difficult times which we face here, if it were not for the grace of God. Nevertheless, we realize the necessity of letting circumstances take us where they will, and the need to recognize and keep drawing on the grace of God in whatever condition we may find ourselves.

According to Terry Virgo in his book, ‘The Tide is Turning,’ “…One of the great promises that should make Christians shine in a world where people are tormented by fear and anxiety is that when we are assured of God’s overruling providence, we can live with poise and praise. The fact that everything is working together for good becomes a well of water springing up in our spirit. Having confidence that God is on the throne is what changes and transforms us...” and even when evil men seem responsible for the pressures we face, they only prove to be God’s instruments in a great and divine plan. Therefore, let us recognize the hand of God in every circumstances and conditions which we may find ourselves. Whether it feels good or bad, God allows them as part of His divine plan to accomplish His purposes for our lives.

No Locked Closets

"May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14 NLT

"I have found that the most extravagant dreams of boyhood have not surpassed the great experience of being in the will of God, and I believe that nothing could be better."

Jim Elliot

What does it mean to be a person after God's own heart? Seems to me, it means that your life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to him is important to you. What burdens him burdens you. When he says, "This is wrong, and I want you to change," you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God.

When you continually put God first in all your affairs (seeking his will), you have a heart that is sensitive to the things of God. "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely his" (2 Chronicles 16:9).

God is looking for men and women whose hearts are completely his. They have no locked closets. Nothing's been swept under the rugs. When you do wrong, you admit it and come to terms with it.…You long to please him in your actions - (Charles R. Swindoll in David: A Man of Passion and Destiny).

It's no wonder that David moved from awe at God's work to praising God himself (Psalm 19:7-14). He saw that a God who could create such beauty throughout the universe is a God who wants to create beauty in our own lives as well. But he can only create that beauty when we yield our hearts and souls completely to him. As we discover more and more about who God is and how much he loves us, obedience to him becomes less of a chore and more of a pleasure.

Contributed by Moda