Those that love the Lord Jesus are also willing to be led by Him in all things. In this manner is their walk likened unto His and no longer unto their own. Even do they speak as God would use them. All of this is because of their zeal for God and His ways. Because these people do not boast in themselves but boast in their God, all things work out for their good. Therefore, their love for God is not enough. They know that loving Him also means loving our neighbor as our self. So He makes us unafraid to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet. Even to the point of exhorting our brethren and sisters in the faith and outside it, we do because of the passion for God that burns inside of us. And not only this but the ways that we great each other is heartfelt and filled with much love for their souls. So as our thoughts are pointed to God, we learn to love and serve others like He does. We know that these works are of God, so we do them for Him and Him alone. For 1“he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Therefore, we don’t hold back at all, but go all in for the service of all people in need. Nobody is neglected if they need prayer, someone to talk to, or even money. For as Paul said, 1“every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
When we continue to put our trust in God and lean on Him in all situations of our lives, everything tends to work out for the greater good. Not only are people blessed by how we treat them kindly but our own blessings are built up in heaven above. And we do this because 1“God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.” When we look to others in need and they are blessed with the things they need because of us, God’s will is made manifest also. 2While doing these things, we are also walking in God’s good works that He has ordained that we should walk in. Nothing in this is for our salvation, but because we are changed and we now want to conform our lives with Christ’s. We don’t boast in our good works but boat in the Lord, for He has cleansed us through His blood. All the glory goes to Him for His great love and sacrifice for us, while on the cross. So each day, we give 1“thanksgiving to God.” It is truly a gift from God to live in His holiness and to be subject unto Him and not the world. 1“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” in our lives. Truly, Jesus is my Lord, my love and my all. I am strengthened each day that I think of Him and seek Him in prayer and in His Word.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all have a greater desire to live a life for You and no longer live in sin. Surely, if there is any sin inside of us now, especially if it continues day in and day out, please come down and convict us of these sins. For we do not wish to quench the Holy Spirit, but to live a life that honors and respects You, Lord. Lead us away from temptation and shield us from the fiery darts of Satan. Cleanse of us of our sins and change our wicked hearts to live for You. May Your holiness come inside of us and do great things in our lives. I know that I am incapable of living a righteous life, but with You leading the way, I can do all things. Truly, my love for things of this world can change dramatically, into loving Your ways instead as they have now. I know that this may seem radical to some people, but I know that living a life for You, is much more pleasurable and satisfying in this life. Instead of all the guilt and shame that this world puts on us with every sin that we commit, I am left with peace and great joy when I walk in Your light instead. It is Your ways that I love, for it is selfless and so kind. So much so that we can be Your vessel to also showcase this love to others. May my thoughts be also upon You, that my neighbors will be benefited in a way that honors You. I know that many people are in need and with Your Spirit inside of me, I can see the struggles of this world and show a helping hand. This is what I want to do Lord. Doing Your will is so much better than my own and I want more of You and less of me. Take me now Lord and do with me as You please. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
12 Corinthians 9:1-15 (KJV)
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJV)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
