God's Will For You!

November has been a busy month!  Helping my son's family settle into their new home has keep me on the road.  As well as celebrating with my daughter's family the baptism of their oldest.  Planning, shopping and preparing Thanksgiving dinner for 24 people.  And yesterday (11/25/12) my husband and I had the privilege of listening to our son speak on Living Quiet In a Loud World in his church, you can hear it at Waterfordwired.org.  He spoke from Mark 1:21-39, Jesus was just starting his public ministry and he was busy!  He began teaching, casting out evil spirits, healing people, yet after resting his body, instead of getting right back at it the next morning, he went off by himself before anyone else was awake to pray.   The Big Idea from the message was, Seeking quiet gives us opportunity for:
1. Perspective, clarifying what God wants us to be doing.
2. Learning, being taught from God himself.
3. Listening, really being still and listening to God.              

I am struck this morning that I have so much to be thankful for!  So I want to linger here in Thanksgiving, not run head long into Christmas yet.  Just be still and gain some perspective on what God's will is.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Did you catch that?  God's will for you in Christ Jesus is to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.  There is a quote attributed to Dwight L. Moody that says, "I have noticed this, that when a man is full of the Holy Ghost, he is the very last man to be complaining of other people.  He loves everybody too tenderly.  He loves even a cold church, and is anxious to lift them up and bring them to a kinder feeling and sympathy."  

When you and I take the time to be with Jesus we gain perspective on God's kingdom and our place in it.  I can experience Joy because he saved me from sin and called me his child! (1 Peter 1:17-19, "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to your from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.")    

Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The Joy of the Lord is your strength."  JOY is part of the Fruit of The Spirit.  Spending time with Jesus changes your perspective by giving you Joy when you view your current struggles in light of eternity.   2 Cor. 4:16-18 says, "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  Remember, Joy is not being Polly Anna happy all the time.  It is being content in any and every situation, doing everything through him who gives me strength.  Remembering that whatever happens to you has really served to advance the gospel.  (Phil 1:12) "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached  and because of this I rejoice."  (Phil. 1:18)  Joy is having faith in God's plan and purpose for you!

God has been teaching me about JOY the entire month.

Next, PRAY continually.  This too is God's will for you.  To stay in contact with God.  Tell him your sorrows, let him comfort you.  God wants to hear your desires.  He knows what your heart desires, "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them, and you listen to their cry"  Psalm 10:17.  "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."  Col. 4:2.  He wants you to pray for your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, your enemies, your church.  His will is that you talk with him.   

Finally, GIVE THANKS.  No matter what circumstances you are in, God is near.  You are reconciled to God in Christ.  You have the fruit of the Spirit in you!  When you remember that God is faithful, you can give thanks even in very bad places, with very lame people!  God is watching over you, even when it seems like he is far from you. Take time to be quiet and read his word, give yourself the joy of hearing from God.  " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"  Col.  16-17.

Magnify Christ by serving him with Joy, Praying always, giving Thanks that he is faithful.