THERE HAS been a plague sweeping over the face of the earth for many years now. It has killed more people than all of the wars ever fought, heart attacks, disease and pestilence. The victims are children! Children who are living in the most dangerous place on earth....the womb of their mother!
WHEN I FIRST prepared this lesson for a ladies class, in the late 90's, the information I had, said that in the United States alone, fifty four million babies had been aborted since 1970! “Abortion or pregnancy terminations” are just polite names for killing unborn children. One of the arguments in favor of abortion was; “a fetus is not a living person and has no rights”. I believe this argument, thru the years for the most part, have concluded the fetus is a living person and so they came up with other reasons that abortion should be legal. Eventually Planned Parenthood and other clinics with bogus treatments to be available to women was really a “cider house” fantasy. They have become butcher shops, even to selling the body parts of these un-suspecting babies. Our dollars are used to funds them and we allow it! How sad for us!
YEARS AGO an elderly lady , age 84, came to me and asked to speak privately. She has long since passed away so I think I can share her story. When she was a young woman and before she met Jesus she had an abortion. She already had two children! Her husband didn’t have a “real” job and so she didn’t tell her husband, but confided in a neighbor lady and together they decided to abort the baby and no one would be the wiser. She was to drink some kind of liquid and the neighbor had a coat hanger handy, if that didn’t work. My friend was very ill afterwards and her husband never knew. She knew in her heart that she had done the right thing! Later she became pregnant again but their circumstances were better and she gave birth to her youngest daughter, whom she loved very much. She was telling me this story because she still felt that she did the right thing, but knew that she needed to ask God for forgiveness, she wanted to continue feeling justified. I encouraged her to keep talking this out with God and that the Holy Spirit would convict her of her guilt, because I knew she was telling me about this in hopes I would condone her actions, and assure her that she had done the right thing, and then she could be vindicated. Doing something that is wrong certainly does not make it right, even in the long run. I know when we come to Christ, all is made new but in her heart she had not repented of her actions. Even after we prayed I was sad for her, but felt this was between her and God!
MY MOTHER had fourteen children. All single births, and five miscarriages. Even though the Doctor would warn her about having anymore babies, she still carried them to term and loved us all. She was a no nonsense Mom and we never felt unloved, and even though means were meager she still managed to raise us. It can be done, and so when I hear stories, like my friend, I question; “couldn’t there have been another way?”
WHEN Jim and I moved with our children in 1970 to Oregon; and had been in our rental for only a couple of weeks, we were visited by two hippy like young women who heard from the neighbors that we would be interested in their services. They were from an early form of Planned Parenthood! This was new to us! And who were they, that could advise us about planning our family? We told them NO thank you! We had a license that says we could do that on our own! I didn’t have a clue as to who they were but I knew I wanted no part of them.
IT AMAZES me that our world allows decisions to be made to placate the whims of those not wanting to face a situation or because of how it may look to others. In the mind of many women, and because it is their body, it is their decision of choice, as to whether they should carry the child or not. To them it is not a moral issue! I believe abortion is one of those places where God says; “It never entered my mind!" Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/20/15
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Saturday, October 24, 2015
DOES GOD CHOOSE TO KNOW EVERYTHING? 10/25/15
NOW THAT is a question to ponder! I have heard many say that God knows everything about us; from what we are going to do, to our every thought. I question that idea because of what I have read in God’s Word. Several passages come to mind; “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart. So the Lord said; “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” Genesis 6:6-7 Remember when Samuel confronted King Saul and the King confessed he had sinned against God’s commandments? The scriptures then say; “And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord repented He had made Saul king over Israel!” 1 Sam.15:35 Interesting huh!
HOW MANY times was “the anger of the Lord kindled?” Why did God get so angry with the Israelites if He already knew what they were going to do, and what their thoughts were? Remember the time that Moses intercedes for sinful Israel? God was pretty angry because of their sinful ways; “And the Lord said to Moses; “Go down; for our people whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves!” Exodus 32:7 God was so angry that He told Moses that His anger was burning hot against them, and He was ready to consume them; but from Moses, He would make a great nation. (Read about it in verse 10)
MOSES WAS GOD’S servant during the travels of the Israelites and was able to converse with Him in a way that no one else ever did, or has ever done since. “But Moses besought the Lord his God, and said; “O Lord, why does your anger burn hot against your people, whom you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say “with evil intent did He bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger and repent of this evil against your people!” Exodus 32:11-12
WHAT ABOUT Jesus going into the temple and upsetting the money changers by breaking and tossing things; letting the birds and animals to run free . “And He told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house, a house of trade!” John 2:16 This was at the beginning of His ministry and His disciples remembered that it was written “Zeal for thy house will consume me!” Right after the triumphal entry they went again to the temple, and this time He again overturned the tables of the money-changers and; “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you make it a den of robbers!” Matthew 21:13 Didn’t Jesus know what they would be doing?
WHEN GOD was ready to destroy all from the face of the earth His Word says; “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord!” Genesis 6:8 When God was ready to give up on the Israelites, He stopped and listened to His servant Moses and changed His mind once again. And it saddened God to have given up on king Saul for He had chosen him, and even gave him a new heart. But God was ready to move on, and He had already made plans for David.
I WRITE these things because our community is in the midst of a special time of prayer to end abortion! It doesn’t mention abortions in the Word per se’, but the people sacrificed their baby’s, sons and daughters to a god called Molech. “They built the high places of Baal in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” Jeremiah 32:35 It didn’t enter God’s mind! I believe abortion is an act that never entered God’s mind! What God knows is that man is evil! Our evil acts do not surprise Him, and yet He waits for us to repent, and to come to Him! Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/19/15
HOW MANY times was “the anger of the Lord kindled?” Why did God get so angry with the Israelites if He already knew what they were going to do, and what their thoughts were? Remember the time that Moses intercedes for sinful Israel? God was pretty angry because of their sinful ways; “And the Lord said to Moses; “Go down; for our people whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves!” Exodus 32:7 God was so angry that He told Moses that His anger was burning hot against them, and He was ready to consume them; but from Moses, He would make a great nation. (Read about it in verse 10)
MOSES WAS GOD’S servant during the travels of the Israelites and was able to converse with Him in a way that no one else ever did, or has ever done since. “But Moses besought the Lord his God, and said; “O Lord, why does your anger burn hot against your people, whom you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say “with evil intent did He bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger and repent of this evil against your people!” Exodus 32:11-12
WHAT ABOUT Jesus going into the temple and upsetting the money changers by breaking and tossing things; letting the birds and animals to run free . “And He told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house, a house of trade!” John 2:16 This was at the beginning of His ministry and His disciples remembered that it was written “Zeal for thy house will consume me!” Right after the triumphal entry they went again to the temple, and this time He again overturned the tables of the money-changers and; “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you make it a den of robbers!” Matthew 21:13 Didn’t Jesus know what they would be doing?
WHEN GOD was ready to destroy all from the face of the earth His Word says; “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord!” Genesis 6:8 When God was ready to give up on the Israelites, He stopped and listened to His servant Moses and changed His mind once again. And it saddened God to have given up on king Saul for He had chosen him, and even gave him a new heart. But God was ready to move on, and He had already made plans for David.
I WRITE these things because our community is in the midst of a special time of prayer to end abortion! It doesn’t mention abortions in the Word per se’, but the people sacrificed their baby’s, sons and daughters to a god called Molech. “They built the high places of Baal in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” Jeremiah 32:35 It didn’t enter God’s mind! I believe abortion is an act that never entered God’s mind! What God knows is that man is evil! Our evil acts do not surprise Him, and yet He waits for us to repent, and to come to Him! Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/19/15
Saturday, October 17, 2015
WHERE ARE YOU IN THE RACE? 10/18/15
ONE MORNING years ago when I was in my teens, my brother Lloyd asked me as I was heading off to school; “Are you ready for the race?” As usual, I fell for his question; “What race!” He replied; “The human race!” With a sigh I went on my way. However, his question is always there in front of me; Am I ready for the race!
I KNOW, you dear readers, are wishing I would let sleeping dogs lie. But I also know
the idea of our making our own decisions as to how we live our lives, is foreign to those who believe that God will ultimately achieve His plans for us, without our having to do anything. God’s will for us is to live for Him, but while we are living our lives, where is He in our plans?
GOD’S WORD gives us illustrations after illustrations, but my favorites are Paul’s
running the race; fighting the good fight, and to not conform to this world. I am sure you have
favorites also, and I suggest you read and re-read them again, so it can help to transform your mind into allowing the Holy Spirit to enable you to become all that God has created you to be.
“SURELY YOU know that in a race all the runners take part in it, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline; he does so in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer, who does not waste his punches. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Paul encourages us to run the race to win. In the Christian race, the success of one does not disqualify the others. We all win!
HOWEVER, if you wish to win in the Christian race, you must go into training to develop and strengthen your body, mind and soul. You are not running to win a prize that will wither and die, you are running to win a crown that is eternal which is God’s will for you. That is why we must have a definite goal. Run straight for the finish line and ignore everything else!
“AS FOR US, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. Let us rid ourselves, then of everything that gets in the way, and the sin which holds onto us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!” Heb. 12:1-2a
To win the Christian race we must get rid of worldly hopes, and fears, obligations, and friendships, and anything else that would slow us down in our race. Jesus is our example! Our faith depends upon Him. He broke the trail for us by going on ahead of us! If you feel discouraged, think about what He has done for us.
“FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 To fight, to run your best, is a slogan we were taught to live by. Do your best; keep trying; don’t give up. Paul encourages Timothy, to keep fighting in His faith; His life’s work, and in his life. The goal is eternal life, so don’t give up but keep keeping on!
“DO NOT CONFORM outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good, and is pleasing to Him, and is perfect.” Romans 12:2 This is an evil world, and Satan is the evil god of this world. The opposite of being a living sacrifice is letting the world squeeze you into its mold. But God can transform you! Paul wrote this letter to those who were new Christians. Sometimes long- time Christians get caught up in the world and revert back into needing the milk of the Word. After we have been put right with God, we need to keep renewing our minds. Our nature is now new, forget the old! Make your choices by a complete change of your mind. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit! Remember that living a life in Christ, is a learning process, and we are to continue, until our race is completed. Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/12/15
I KNOW, you dear readers, are wishing I would let sleeping dogs lie. But I also know
the idea of our making our own decisions as to how we live our lives, is foreign to those who believe that God will ultimately achieve His plans for us, without our having to do anything. God’s will for us is to live for Him, but while we are living our lives, where is He in our plans?
GOD’S WORD gives us illustrations after illustrations, but my favorites are Paul’s
running the race; fighting the good fight, and to not conform to this world. I am sure you have
favorites also, and I suggest you read and re-read them again, so it can help to transform your mind into allowing the Holy Spirit to enable you to become all that God has created you to be.
“SURELY YOU know that in a race all the runners take part in it, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline; he does so in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer, who does not waste his punches. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Paul encourages us to run the race to win. In the Christian race, the success of one does not disqualify the others. We all win!
HOWEVER, if you wish to win in the Christian race, you must go into training to develop and strengthen your body, mind and soul. You are not running to win a prize that will wither and die, you are running to win a crown that is eternal which is God’s will for you. That is why we must have a definite goal. Run straight for the finish line and ignore everything else!
“AS FOR US, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. Let us rid ourselves, then of everything that gets in the way, and the sin which holds onto us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!” Heb. 12:1-2a
To win the Christian race we must get rid of worldly hopes, and fears, obligations, and friendships, and anything else that would slow us down in our race. Jesus is our example! Our faith depends upon Him. He broke the trail for us by going on ahead of us! If you feel discouraged, think about what He has done for us.
“FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 To fight, to run your best, is a slogan we were taught to live by. Do your best; keep trying; don’t give up. Paul encourages Timothy, to keep fighting in His faith; His life’s work, and in his life. The goal is eternal life, so don’t give up but keep keeping on!
“DO NOT CONFORM outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good, and is pleasing to Him, and is perfect.” Romans 12:2 This is an evil world, and Satan is the evil god of this world. The opposite of being a living sacrifice is letting the world squeeze you into its mold. But God can transform you! Paul wrote this letter to those who were new Christians. Sometimes long- time Christians get caught up in the world and revert back into needing the milk of the Word. After we have been put right with God, we need to keep renewing our minds. Our nature is now new, forget the old! Make your choices by a complete change of your mind. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit! Remember that living a life in Christ, is a learning process, and we are to continue, until our race is completed. Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/12/15
Saturday, October 10, 2015
WHAT DOES YOUR PLAN LOOK LIFE? 10/11/15
I DON’T BELIEVE I started out with a plan. Growing up in a large family I don’t think I thought much about tomorrow, next week or even next year. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was nine and at that time I didn’t have a clue what my life should even look like! Now I do know that Jim had a plan to play 3rd base for the Yankees. Some how his plan didn’t work out. Perhaps life got in the way of his plan, and I suppose that my life developed a plan, when he came along.
AFTER SCHOOL I thought I would like to be a missionary. But my pastor felt I should remain where I was, and become a Christian woman in the workplace. He felt we needed men and women here in America that were walking in the footsteps of Jesus. I have to admit it wasn’t easy, but looking back, I remained faithful in my walk at home, at work, at play and now I don’t know any different way. The fact that I wasn’t perfect in my walk, and that many times I was tempted to try a different way, I was directed back by the Spirit within me, because I knew it was wrong.
GOD BRINGS blessings into a life when that life is committed to follow His Son! Sometimes we think of these blessings, as God’s will for our lives, but instead God showers us with His approval through these times. “But the man of faith, not works (as in the law), who believes in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is his faith that God takes into account in order to put him right with himself.” Romans 4:5 This speaks of man, who’s actions can never be anything but imperfect. However, faith cannot be perfect except through the obedience of faith!
“BLESSED is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:1-6
GOD’s will for all of us, is to walk in the path of His Son, Jesus Christ. “He was humble and walked the path of obedience to death - His death on the cross. Philippians 2:8 Jesus was perfect and we already saw in Romans 4:5 that through our faith and obedience we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ. Paul illustrates a Christian ethic here. We are to be obedient to death. It is God’s will for us, but we must choose to be obedient.
“BUT EVEN though He was God’s Son He learned to be obedient by means of His sufferings. When He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:8-9 Just because Jesus was God’s Son, He was not exempt from suffering, nor temptations. He learned first hand how difficult it was to be obedient. He went to the cross for you and me! Through His sojourn here on earth He became our High Priest!
WHEN WE are obedient to Him and remain faithful in our walk, Jesus is our salvation! Good advice is to be careful in what you are about. Impostors will fail; you cannot defeat God. If your plans are within God’s will of giving you eternal life, then the goodness therein comes from God. All good things come from God!
IN A NUT SHELL: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed!” Proverbs 16:3 I know from experience, that including God in your plans makes for success. God’s word also says; “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Remember this song: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey! Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!” My life has led me straight to the Father! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/11/15
AFTER SCHOOL I thought I would like to be a missionary. But my pastor felt I should remain where I was, and become a Christian woman in the workplace. He felt we needed men and women here in America that were walking in the footsteps of Jesus. I have to admit it wasn’t easy, but looking back, I remained faithful in my walk at home, at work, at play and now I don’t know any different way. The fact that I wasn’t perfect in my walk, and that many times I was tempted to try a different way, I was directed back by the Spirit within me, because I knew it was wrong.
GOD BRINGS blessings into a life when that life is committed to follow His Son! Sometimes we think of these blessings, as God’s will for our lives, but instead God showers us with His approval through these times. “But the man of faith, not works (as in the law), who believes in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is his faith that God takes into account in order to put him right with himself.” Romans 4:5 This speaks of man, who’s actions can never be anything but imperfect. However, faith cannot be perfect except through the obedience of faith!
“BLESSED is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:1-6
GOD’s will for all of us, is to walk in the path of His Son, Jesus Christ. “He was humble and walked the path of obedience to death - His death on the cross. Philippians 2:8 Jesus was perfect and we already saw in Romans 4:5 that through our faith and obedience we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ. Paul illustrates a Christian ethic here. We are to be obedient to death. It is God’s will for us, but we must choose to be obedient.
“BUT EVEN though He was God’s Son He learned to be obedient by means of His sufferings. When He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:8-9 Just because Jesus was God’s Son, He was not exempt from suffering, nor temptations. He learned first hand how difficult it was to be obedient. He went to the cross for you and me! Through His sojourn here on earth He became our High Priest!
WHEN WE are obedient to Him and remain faithful in our walk, Jesus is our salvation! Good advice is to be careful in what you are about. Impostors will fail; you cannot defeat God. If your plans are within God’s will of giving you eternal life, then the goodness therein comes from God. All good things come from God!
IN A NUT SHELL: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed!” Proverbs 16:3 I know from experience, that including God in your plans makes for success. God’s word also says; “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Remember this song: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey! Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!” My life has led me straight to the Father! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/11/15
Saturday, October 3, 2015
WHAT IS GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU? October 4, 2015
I KNOW I have addressed this question many times but it still is an issue that keeps coming up and I believe many are not quite satisfied or have understanding of what God’s will is. Recently I heard it expressed with; “do we have to know God’s will!” I believe that God has let us know explicitly, what His will is for each one of us. Jesus knew what His Father’s will was for Him, at the age of 12 (Luke 2:49). We are His children also, and He has expressed in His Word, what His will is for each one of us.
LET ME ASK you a few questions to think about. Does God really care where you live? Does God care what you choose as a lively hood; a way to support your physical needs? Does God care what Doctor you choose to advise you on your health? Does God care whom you choose to marry or what you name your children? Does God want to direct your path in your personal life so you will reach the goals He has set before you? Does God set stumbling blocks before you to redirect your way? Lots to think about, huh!
MANY TIMES I have said; “There but for the grace of God go I!” Because of God in my life I have chosen not to work in certain professions. Because of God I have chosen to be circumspect in my relationships. Because of God I have raised my children to know Him. Because of my decision to live for Him, I have chosen to follow the path He has set out for me. Because of my relationship with God, He has chosen to use me where I am, and in what I do. With God in my life, He has set me in my own little world of total amazement!
“FOR GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 This passage is so familiar to all of us and in it we find that God’s will is that no one should perish. Is knowing God’s will important! Absolutely! Remember the story of the lost sheep? Out of 100 sheep one is lost. He searches for it and rejoices when he is found. It is God’s will that not one of his children be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14) “The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 What do you think of God’s will now?
HERE ARE Some more! “For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 How about 1 John 2:17 “And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever!” Now lets get into the nitty-gritty of God’s will for us.
“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
I HAVE NOT shared with you anything that you are not already aware of. Many want
to grab hold of Jeremiah 29:11 and expect God to take them by the hand and lead them thru all the muck and mire and bring them out smelling good. For one thing, that whole passage was given to the captives in Babylon because Jerusalem was to be destroyed. He said for them to hold tight for He had a plan for them. A plan for good and not evil; to give them a future and a hope. Well, God’s will for us comes with a plan just like that. He has a future all planned out for us and it comes with HOPE which is Jesus Christ. Meanwhile we need to be circumspect in living our lives! Read Galatians 5:16-25, it spells it out for you; but instead of His hand He has given us His SPIRIT! His will for us is to walk by the Spirit, and He has given us fruit also. Our liberty in Christ is not free, show it off by letting it shine! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/3/15
LET ME ASK you a few questions to think about. Does God really care where you live? Does God care what you choose as a lively hood; a way to support your physical needs? Does God care what Doctor you choose to advise you on your health? Does God care whom you choose to marry or what you name your children? Does God want to direct your path in your personal life so you will reach the goals He has set before you? Does God set stumbling blocks before you to redirect your way? Lots to think about, huh!
MANY TIMES I have said; “There but for the grace of God go I!” Because of God in my life I have chosen not to work in certain professions. Because of God I have chosen to be circumspect in my relationships. Because of God I have raised my children to know Him. Because of my decision to live for Him, I have chosen to follow the path He has set out for me. Because of my relationship with God, He has chosen to use me where I am, and in what I do. With God in my life, He has set me in my own little world of total amazement!
“FOR GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 This passage is so familiar to all of us and in it we find that God’s will is that no one should perish. Is knowing God’s will important! Absolutely! Remember the story of the lost sheep? Out of 100 sheep one is lost. He searches for it and rejoices when he is found. It is God’s will that not one of his children be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14) “The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 What do you think of God’s will now?
HERE ARE Some more! “For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 How about 1 John 2:17 “And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever!” Now lets get into the nitty-gritty of God’s will for us.
“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
I HAVE NOT shared with you anything that you are not already aware of. Many want
to grab hold of Jeremiah 29:11 and expect God to take them by the hand and lead them thru all the muck and mire and bring them out smelling good. For one thing, that whole passage was given to the captives in Babylon because Jerusalem was to be destroyed. He said for them to hold tight for He had a plan for them. A plan for good and not evil; to give them a future and a hope. Well, God’s will for us comes with a plan just like that. He has a future all planned out for us and it comes with HOPE which is Jesus Christ. Meanwhile we need to be circumspect in living our lives! Read Galatians 5:16-25, it spells it out for you; but instead of His hand He has given us His SPIRIT! His will for us is to walk by the Spirit, and He has given us fruit also. Our liberty in Christ is not free, show it off by letting it shine! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 10/3/15
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