My dear loving, Father, thank You for so many opportunities these last few days to live out who I am in You with others. I am not just a bus driver. I am not even just a pastor. I am Your child. What a privilege. What a blessing. May I always be used of You. Amen.
Luke 1:7-17 (<<click to read the passage)
Growing up one of the things I had to work through in my relationship with Christ was the concept that God had a plan for my life. At this point, I do not remember if it was communicated to me in this fashion or if my mind misconstrued it to be so, but I struggled with the idea that God had a certain course I should take and that if I deviated from that course, I would mess everything up.
I believed that there was a certain job for me, a certain mate for me. I believed that if I was truly to follow the Lord that I would have to discern each aspect of my life if I was not going to settle for second or third or whatever best. It was not until some years later that I came to understand that it is not so much making perfect choices in our lives if we are to please God, but when we accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and strive to be obedient in following Him and seeking his guidance for our lives, that is when we succeed. God’s plan for me is fulfilled when I am true to Him and seek His direction in all aspects of my life. And the Holy Spirit is there to help me all along the way.
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son John – who we know today as John the Baptist – had very clear direction for his life, even before he was born. Luke tells us that he would “be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.” v15
John went on to live out God’s plan for his life. He did “turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.” He was “a man with the spirit and power of Elijah.” He did “prepare the people for the coming of the Lord” and “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children” and caused those who were “are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” vs.16-17
John fulfilled God’s plan for his life and was great in the Kingdom of God because he first and foremost sought out God’s direction in all aspects of his life. He loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27)
Lord Jesus, help me to clearly see the way You would have me go. Holy Spirit, may I take to heart Your still small voice within me. May I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and may I fulfill Your plan for my life and broadcast what it means to be a part of Your Kingdom. Amen.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
Oct 6th, 2019, Sun, 7:02 pm
