According To The Will Of God!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:25-28 NIV

If we do all things according to the will of God, then we can expect all things to work out well for God’s children.

How do we know when we’re doing all things according to His will–what He wants? That’s the easiest question to answer. We obey His Word because His Word is His will. As long as we obey His Word, we are acting on His Will.

When we honor our parents–respect those in authority–we are promised long life.

When we love others as much as we love ourselves–we are doing so according to His Will.

When we obey God rather than men (the laws man makes in opposition to God’s Word) we are acting according to His Will.

When we listen to Holy Spirit and obey His direction, we are acting according to God’s Will for Jesus said, “He will remind us of all we have been taught and show us things to come.”

Of course, if we haven’t been taught according to The Word of God, we cannot be expected to live according to The Word. In the Body of Christ–we operate on so many traditions that have nothing to do with The Word of God that we miss being in His Will. We say things that God didn’t say and then wonder why we don’t see God moving on our behalf.

Where in The Word do we see,”If The Lord says the same” when we plan to do something? If we know what The Word says, we know what The Lord says, and we don’t need to say, “if” anything about our plans. This type of trite response attempts to make a person sound religious, but only reveals a lack of understanding of God’s Word. Jesus warns us in His Word that we “have made the Word of God of no effect because of our traditions.” How about we say, what God says about everything instead of waiting for Him to say what we say? That makes more sense to me.

Do we plan what we will we do next? Absolutely! We have to consider all that encompasses a plan and then plan accordingly. We do not have to see if The Lord will say so. If our plan is not according to His Will, it won’t come to anything anyway. But before we plan, we pray–according to The Word–and whatsoever we ask of Him, in Jesus’ name will be given. Do we believe it?

I guess, as I get older, I begin to see how traditions have kept people from receiving God’s best in their lives when they don’t trust The Word and God’s intent for us. I plan to live to see 95 years of age. If God has different plans, then my plans won’t matter, but it won’t stop me from planning how to live to get to that age. That means I have to take better care of my body, eating right and getting exercise, seeking Him for all things and doing all things to His glory. I’m not planning by saying, “if The Lord says the same.” Reaching 95 is what I’ve asked Him for and it is my declaration on a consistent basis. We have what we say we have. And since I believe that He has heard my prayer, I believe He will honor my request.

Whenever we say, “if” or “but” about anything pertaining to doing what God has put on our hearts, we open the door for doubt and faith is put on the shelf. We must believe and not doubt! That is acting upon things according to His Will.

 

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Believers’ Instructions for Daily Living!

“Follow God’s example, therefore as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But AMONG YOU there must not be even a hing of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person–such a person is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:1-5 NIV)

In every letter Paul writes to the churches, he encourages those who belong to God to live like God would have them to live–using God as an example for living on a daily basis. Notice–he is writing to the churches–explaining how Christians (or rather Believers) should live for he knows that those outside of the Body of Christ will not heed his advice.  If they did listen, they would be included in the Body.

This very simple understanding is key for all Believers–God inspired men to write what He said in order to perfect the lives of those who would believe. If people choose not to believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word, that is their prerogative and they can be assured that they don’t have to believe, but the consequences and the judgment shall be the same for all–Believers and unbelievers. For God is not a respecter of persons–when judgment comes–it rains upon all, saved and sinner alike.

Even though most of us want to see everyone we know saved, it is not our job to try to make people believe. If they are not convinced by The Word, and we are not living examples of The Word, then we will be held accountable for what we do, not what they do.

It is absolutely pointless to debate The Word with an unbeliever. Although many may say they don’t believe God, deep down they know there is force more superior to themselves that holds all power in His hands, they simply choose to be arbitrary about it. And those who profess to believe in science alone–they say so because they do not understand the role of science. Science attempts to explain the existence of things or how they work. God created all that exists and determined how all things would work before man could even coin the term, “science.” This is not to say there is no value in what scientists do because there is great value in what they do. However, until they create all that God created from nothing--they are not gods, but instruments in the hand of God–when they heed Him–led to discovery and invention, not creation.

The directions Paul gives are clear–for Believers–we should not indulge in sexual immorality (and we know all that is referenced for we know our Father); we should not indulge in obscene behavior or conversation; we should not indulge in unwholesome joking (don’t pretend you don’t know what he’s talking about); and greed should never be part of our lives. For if we indulge in these things and do not repent–turning completely away from them–we will not enter into the promised eternity–living in heaven with Christ Jesus.

Are these instructions for you or someone else? The Believer–who is in relationship with God, understands God’s Word and the role of Jesus Christ coming down from heaven–knows the truth. And when we know truth, we should live truth and encourage others to do likewise.

(More to come)

The Difference Between The Old Self and The New Self!

“That, however, is not the way of life you learned, when you heard about Christ and were taught in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV)

Once again, we see in The Word, those who are speaking to the Believer–not the ones who never believed, but those who have come to learn that Jesus is the only way to the Father.

I hesitate to say that The Word was written for Christians since the term “Christian/Christianity” has taken on new connotations since those who refuse to obey The Word in its totality are still calling themselves, Christians. So, I use the term Believers–those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and live according to The Word and its truth. I claim that this is an unequivocal truth since unbelievers will not read The Word and certainly won’t obey it.

When I see what is going on in some churches, I wonder if those attending the buildings have ever read The Word for themselves since they are always defeated by every little thing that happens in their lives. Some are quick to resort to cussing people out when they can’t have their way or in spreading rumors about things that have nothing to do with them or out of envy and jealousy. They are hard-hearted and think of no one but themselves and what they want to see happening in the building, for they do not realize it is the Body of Believers who are the True Church.

Most of what Paul writes is about how we ought to conduct ourselves as a Body of Believers–especially when we claim to be followers of Christ. He writes instructions on how to behave in our places of worship, gives instructions about those who have been gifted in various offices–apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher and all the helps ministries in the church. He gives us instructions on how to be parents and good husbands and wives. And in all of the instructions, if we read carefully, we see and understand how his experience with Jesus changed his life–from being a member of religious sect to being a Believer of Christ Jesus.

This is what truly believing and following Jesus means or should mean–we put off/set aside our old ways of doing things, cloaked in darkness, hiding our sins, and put on/drape ourselves in the newness of Christ Jesus. When we discover the new covering is so much better than the old, we should walk in the newness of life and light of love bestowed upon us.

We have rules for everything–especially in the church buildings–but if all those coming into the building, were walking as new selves in Jesus Christ, we would have no need for rules for we would all be submitted to Holy Spirit and we would allow Him to do His job–in the building and when we’re not in the building.

If we have any love in us for God, we would listen to His voice and obey in all things, so when others see us or hear us, they would know–we belong to Jesus and our new selves will not continue to wear the old cloak of darkness–attempting to hide our sins.

Free eBooks!

2 free eBooks on http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ.

“Holiness, Not a Look, But a Lifestyle”

“Saved, But Not Yet Delivered”

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February 21, 2013

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