This morning, I was sitting here reading my bible and drinking my coffee, when God placed the following scripture on my heart, and it made me stop for a few moments and think to myself and ask myself, How many times have I made decisions or took actions based on my own will and not God's will?
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-12
From the very first man and woman God created, Adam & Eve, they were given, just as you and I are given, free will. The will to make our own decisions, to make up our own minds, to make our own choices. As we have all read the bible and know the story, free will did not turn out so well for Adam & Eve. The serpent (the enemy), was able to tempt Eve and in turn Eve tempted Adam, and they ate the apple from the tree of life. They had the free will to make that choice, to eat that apple, to betray what God had commanded, and as the story goes, were banned from the Garden of Eden.
Have you ever made a choice or made a decision or took action you thought was good, but ended up not being so good, or perhaps it didn't turn out the way you thought it would, or you weren't as happy as you should be in the end? Could it be then, that is what happens when you follow your own will and not God's will. Could it be that God really does know what is best for you, seeing as he created you, gave you life, written a plan for every day of your life. However, He still gave you the power to choose to follow His will or your own will, to live the life you think is best, or the life that God knows is best. If you are reading this sermon, then chances are you have already made the decision to follow God's will.
Then Jesus declared, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
John 6:40
When you make the conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you believe in him and our Father in Heaven, you will learn from God himself through Christ Jesus, his will for you, his plans for you, his life for you, which has already been written in the book of life. When you have to make a decision, make a choice, remember to take the time to ask God, to pray about it before moving forward. Allow God to direct your steps and lead you down the path he has already set forth for you, that he has already planned for you. No matter the outcome whether good or bad or indifferent, if you follow God's will, it is all part of his plan for you and it will lead you to where you are suppose to be, it will lead you to where he wants you to be.
Simply put, you have the power of free will to make decisions and to make choices, God gave you that power when he created you. The question is then, do you allow your will to supersede God's will?
As I speak a blessing over each of you this morning, always remember, I am here for you if you ever need to talk or get something off your chest or if you need prayer for yourselves, your family or your friends. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Dear Father God, thank you for blessing us with this day and loving us as Your children. Watch over each and every one of us as we start each day, as we go through this week, keeping us in the palm of Your hand. Guide us in our daily lives, directing us on the path You have planned for us, bringing forth the dreams you have planted in each of our hearts. For we know who we are and whose we are, children of the most high God. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Keep your Faith strong, your Hope alive and your Prayers never ending."
God Bless
Pastor Mark
Post a Comment