Do You Not Know?
by David Brenneman
"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths." Proverbs 5:21
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
"According to the power that works within us." This is none other than the Spirit of God after we come to Christ for salvation. Sealed by God through the Spirit. Placed in the body of Christ as He sees fit as well. All Believer's have this distinguishing mark that's known to other members of the body of Christ and seen by our Savior and Lord.
Your ways, your thoughts, your passions, all your feelings and emotions are laid bare before Jesus. He knows you far more intimately than you do Him. Through prayer, and solitude with Jesus you learn more about Jesus. This too is the will of God for you.
By no means are you to come to Christ then go on living like you hadn't.
That other promise is very much a promise and not a mere statement. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
There we go again...finding another application to how much of you should be applied to that search...all of your heart.
When we look at the history of Godly men and women, what do you see? No these people weren't simply different nor simply called to the life we see or read concerning them. They were and are living out their salvation with fear and trembling. Fear in this regard has to do with respect. Trembling because they understood the stakes in this endeavor.
Do you my Friend? Do you really understand what's at stake here?
You are to be growing in Christ. Growing in your relationship with Jesus as your highest priority. Living a life of obedience to God's Word and plan for you. That moment yet future where you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life...it will only be about your obedience to God's Word and plan for you. Not at all about your worldly successes or failures. Nothing to do with your reputation in this world apart from Jesus. Nothing about your vast amount of possessions.
In the Old Testament we read of them writing the reminders of God's word on various items that were on their clothing, throughout their home. The teaching was to bind these things to them so that they might not sin against against God.
In today's world we can search the Bible in microseconds. Nanoseconds even. Finding every single time certain words are used.
Many recommend keeping Scripture Journals. Writing down when something is taught to you by the Spirit.
All of you is what all of Jesus desires. He said He is jealous of the Spirit of God within you.
Soon, at a day set by the Father, Jesus is returning and will complete the Word of God by calling all who have died in Christ first then all who are alive and remain to Himself. In new glorified bodies. Forever free of sin and death. Forever free of the struggles of combating the effects of sins curse.
My Dear Reader...with all that is at stake...how much of your time do you think should go towards your walk with Jesus?
Are you putting career, family, friends, things, ahead of your life in Christ? They aren't the same thing.
God first, Spouse second, Children third, everyone else after that.
Nothing should supercede that arrangement of priorities. Not government. Not ideologies. Not hobbies. Nothing should be more important than that arrangement.
Take a look at the 10 Commandments and how Jesus summarized them. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do you see any room for anything else when Jesus invoked the use of the word ALL?
Pray about your heart. You really need to my Friend. Pray for your eyes to be opened to see what the Spirit wishes you to understand and know about your relationship with Jesus. Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. See what a difference that perspective will make in your life.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.