Seeking the purpose of God 3

God’s idea of living life is to make a conscious and deliberate effort to live godly and exhibit good, moral character.

‭‭Philippians 2:12 NLT‬‬
[12] Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

It is also God’s purpose for us to choose to do good.

‭‭Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT‬‬

[19] “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! [20] You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Making the right choice is God’s ultimate will in every situation.

Even our Lord Jesus recognized this when He struggled at His lowest moment. 

‭‭Matthew 26:39 NLT‬‬

[39] He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

 

A life changing investment

Every time we make decisions and choices, it is an act of deciding our future and how it takes its shape.

Every reasonable decision has a life-changing impact that can turn out for good.

Good decisions make a good life and bad decisions make a bad life.

Each time we make decisions, it becomes an investment in our lives.

A good investment would likely result in a good life, and a bad investment results in a bad life.

For instance, investing in education can result in a (wide) variety of good things for an individual. Also, investment in your kids can give them a bright future, etc.

Decisions to commit your life to God can and should result in eternal life.

Thus, our decisions end up being the investment we make to have a meaningful life or a terrible one.

The decision to live a good life is a life-changing investment.

Positioning yourself- take action

Rth 3:4 NET When he gets ready to go to sleep, take careful notice of the place where he lies down. Then go, uncover his legs, and lie down beside him. He will tell you what you should do.”

This is really fascinating to me. This is Ruth saying to Boaz, “here I am. I am available for you.”

For Ruth to make this bold and brittle move, she must be so confident in herself, and quite audacious. 

It is a rare but necessary move if Ruth is going to settle down in her new-found home. 

Ruth didn’t impose or force herself on Boaz. She waited and carefully do the normal ritual appropriate at the moment.

The ability to read and understand the time, the mood, and the circumstances is impressive.

I believe that this is what made Ruth secure her place in life, not self-righteousness, sneaky behavior, attitude or being cocky.

Nowadays, we seek to do it our own way and we often make mistakes. 

Ruth listened to her mother-in-law, and followed the instructions that got her the rightful position. 

Who has ear let him hear!

Resist evil

If you do not eliminate the enemy completely, they will come back to fight you and you may get caught unaware.

God’s idea about the enemy is that they must be completely wiped out. If the enemy is not eradicated, even if it is just one, it would ensnare you and be a problem.

Jdg 2:2-3 NET 2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.’ But you have disobeyed me. Why would you do such a thing? 3 At that time I also warned you, ‘If you disobey, I will not drive out the Canaanites before you. They will ensnare you and their gods will lure you away.’”

“Resist the devil” could also suggest that you get rid of him so he does not hinder or stop your progress.

The enemy target your weak areas. So, you need to be on guard for any onslaught. This is why you must resist evil and eradicate it completely, if possible.

The enemy you spare today will come back to hurt you.

Pass the torch to your offspring

The essence and beauty of life is when you are able to procreate and pass on life to others who, in turn, do same, too.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24.

As you aged, other things you cannot do, like your aspirations, plans, projects, and your legacy, pass it on to your offspring who will live your dream come through.

Do not struggle to achieve all in your old age.

For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”
Genesis 30:30 NKJV

Allow your children to live their own dream. Give them the space and time.
When they are successful, you will be delightful. And you will live your old age with a feeling of fulfillment.

Part of living the best of life is seeing others live the best of their lives, especially your own heritage.

The Price of Salvation: what the world can do

Jesus said, in this world, you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The world hates Jesus, and so do His followers too.

The believers will experience persecution.

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

The believers will experience various accusations.

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10

The world can kill the body but not the soul.

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Fear the person who has the power to kill both the body and the soul.
The believer’s home is eternally secured. John 14:1-2
Therefore, Christians can take solace and comfort in an eternal home guaranteed.

Romans 12:11-12, Zeal and Hope

Be devoted to your calling or vocation.

Your calling is your reason for living.

Therefore, no room for slack.

You must encourage yourself in your darkest night just like David did.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

The passion for your calling and your purpose in life would be enough to reinvigorate your spirit and give you energy for another day.

And when things go not the way you plan them, remain strong. Be confident in the ability of God to keep you and help you.

Your confidence in God is your hope that God cannot fail.

Continually talk to God about everything.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Continue to say all of your minds to Him.

Don’t relent! Don’t give up!

Rom 12:12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

Romans 12:9-10 Re: True Love

True love is not about “what is in it for me?”,

It is about “what can I offer?”

True love is undiluted with bad intentions and deceits.
The inclination to do good always spurs love. That means good acts energize true love.

True love cares;
True love thinks about others first;
True love is honest;
True love expresses empathy and shares burden;
True love sacrifices;
True love waits and
True love endures.

The idea of “love me,” “show me your love,” and even the “I love you” seems diluted, polluted,  and complicated today.

But we know that in our hearts, true love is patient.

Love is kind and behaves nicely towards others.

Love does not envy other people. It is happy with other people’s successes and does not wish them evil.

Love doesn’t need to boast or brag about anything. It allows things and events to announce themselves without pushing them.

And love is level-headed. It is warm, calm, and collected, right?

Love behaves respectfully. For instance, it allows other people to talk and doesn’t mind taking turns if it’s the last turn.

Love is considering others before yourself.

Love relax and would not get offended easily.

Love speaks out carefully against wrongdoing and maintains the truth.

Love endures and is hopeful about tomorrow.

True love lasts forever.

So, this is true love.

This is what true love is all about.

Have a lovely day!

Romans 12:3-8 Humility and Focus

The ability to think of other people more important than you is humility. This definition demonstrates that today’s society differs.
It is easy to shun other people.

We often disregard little ones, those we think are beneath us.

We shun the younger ones and think they’re not smart, forgetting that God can use them to perform great wonders.

We think of “what is in it for me” instead of “what is in it for others.

Today’s society exalts pride, arrogance, and self-praise.

Those who boast of things unreal try to impress people who don’t care about them.

“Jas 4:6, But he gives more grace. So that the Writings say, God is against the men of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low before him.”

Different people work on a project, but they all work for the same purpose. If they are in conflict, achieving a successful completion is defeated.

We all have different body parts, but they all function to keep us alive and healthy. Imagine that the eyes are angry with the legs. How will the legs get to a place without the eyes to guide them, and how will the eyes see places without the legs’ assistance?

Be focused on your calling! Mind your business and excel at what you do.
Respect others and live a fulfilled life by doing what you have the strength to do, not what others are doing.

Be focused and mind your business!

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Conformity with the world is an enmity to God.
That is, if you’re going to satisfy the world, you’ll likely displease God.

You cannot do God’s will and balance your life with the world’s standards at same time. It is nearly impossible!

You must constantly think and work on your mind to do the right thing. Through this, you will be able to determine the will of God for your life.

Your renewed mind will be mindful of the things of God, and how to please Him will be a priority.

Ironically, you cannot satisfy this world (friends, colleagues, social media, trends, and even loved ones). They are more focused on your shortcomings than your positive vibes.

Expending your energy to serve God is better than trying to please this world.

Guide your heart!