More than just Getting Through Life

More than just Getting Through Life 

by David Brenneman 

"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." 1 Corinthians 12:18.

When you come to Christ, there is more purpose to your life than you can possibly imagine...do you realize this? There's more possibilities to truly living than you ever could have considered. 

Seeking your career, your idea of family, your thoughts on how your retirement years ought to look like.  

In Christ, the Spirit of God, has plans of an eternal nature for all who are saved.  

We aren't at all "just saved" and then go on doing our own thing.

Read your Old Testament. People who were the chosen people of God thinking they had it made because of that declaration...did whatever was right in their own eyes...and turned on the very same God they claimed.

Ezekiel was shown the double life of the priests. What the world saw and what He saw them doing.

Your life is an open book before the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Realize the Scriptures that tell us that it is He who searches the hearts. Your heart and mine. 

Realize that since coming to Christ, it's established that He has something specific and special for you to be doing. The Spirit imparted a special Spiritual gift to you.  

Consider as well the parable of the talents. Sitting on your gift and refusing to use it will never be a good thing. Fear is no reason to not use what is there for you to be utilizing.

The commands of the Lord Jesus are firm. The Great Commission isn't a set of suggestions. The gift or gifts imparted are not optional things to use if you can fit them into your busy schedule.

If you really look at the lives of the Apostles...seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness defined them. Read the impassioned writings of Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy. Read what he wrote to Titus. 

We're not to waste out time here on Earth. While our sanctification will instantly be completed at our physical death, while we yet breathe, the Spirit is at work in us.

There's so much more that is beyond anything we can ask or think of that is in store for those who love Him.  

We are the ones who stand in our own way. We are the ones who are letting fear, letting misplaced passions, letting selfish dreams and desires, get in the way.  

We must realize this truth:

‭"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." Galatians 5:16-18.

This is your daily battle.

This is what you face each morning, minute by minute, second by second.  

Now read: Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

We are in no position to think that we can now just do our own thing. 

Satan is not going to really bother with his resources on you if you're doing his work for him.  

If you're already consuming your time, energy and effort on things of this world...he will likely leave you alone. He will just consider you small potatoes, not worth sending anyone after you.

People the world over wonder at the state of the world...wondering where God is...yet..aren't seeing that they are the hands and feet of Jesus if they are indeed in Christ. 

They who are in Christ are the ears, the arms, the hands, the feet, the legs, the torso, the kidneys, the liver, etc of the body of Christ.

If people aren't seeing Christ in you...there's only one other person who will be seen...just you. 

‭"And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith. And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:16-34.

Where is your treasure? Is it what Jesus says treasure is? 

We are to be the light of Jesus Christ in this world. If there's no light, oh how great that darkness is!

There's more life to be had than just making it through the day.  

This truth is also very important: if you are putting something or someone above your relationship with Jesus, then your life is going to have troubles. Seeking first His kingdom means first. Not after all other things are considered.

Looking at your life...does Jesus have first place in your life? If not...you're going to struggle with life. The peace and rest of God will elude you.  

Think about that. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.