Sunday, February 27, 2011

Doing The Will of the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34 NIV).

Can you say that is what you are doing for the Lord? Are you finishing the work that the Lord has laid out for you to do? Jesus came to the earth with a specific purpose: to die for our sins and to rise from the dead in order for us to receive eternal life. He came to fulfill many prophecies: to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Isaiah 61:1,2) He knew what pain and agony He would endure on the cross before it happened. When he prayed before He was arrested he was in anguish and prayed earnestly. The Bible says that his sweat was like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke 22:44) But even though He knew what horror was ahead of Him, He walked calmly to be the sacrifice for our sins. He did His father’s will.

You have been chosen to do something for the Lord also. It is so important that you fulfill what He wants you to do. You must earnestly pray, just like Jesus did, in order to do His will in your life. It might mean that you will have to step out in faith, or you might be required to give up something that hinders your witness. Maybe your desire for material things outweighs your love of Christ. Jesus was pretty blunt about not worshipping material wealth. Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor and follow him. The man couldn’t do it and Jesus told his disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. It can be very easy to love your things more than God. The Lord must be the top priority in your life in order for you to find true happiness. When you are doing His will you notice that others’ needs become more important than your own needs. The Lord came to serve and so your goal must be to find what way God will use your talents to serve others too.

Dear Lord,
I want to do your will. Please guide me as I try to find what you want me to do in order to further your kingdom on this earth. I know there are others who need me to show them your love. Guide me and give me wisdom as I try to live a sacrificial life for you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“ And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven cha...