BIBLE PASSAGE:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
(Psalm 32:8)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever had a member of your family look at you in such a way
that you knew what they were saying, even though they didn’t say a word?
If could be the language we are using, the topic of our conversation,
or what we are doing, but their look sends a message to us.
That’s the kind of intimate relationship that loved ones have with each other.
This is the kind of close relationship we should have with the Lord.
We should feel the presence of His “look” whenever
we are tempted to do something we know displeases Him.
We should feel His “look” when He is urging us to do something for Him
and He is waiting to see if we will obey or rebel.
We should sense His presence when we know we have
done anything that we know is outside His Will for His children.
It is similar to how a child feels when he knows he has done wrong
and anticipates the punishment he or she will receive from their parents.
God isn’t watching us to see if we mess up so He can “zap” us, He is
watching us because He loves us and wants us to enjoy His blessings.
God wants to remove anything that stands between His blessings and us.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for believers, is to realize how we
can open the door for His blessings through obedience, and service.
Most of us understand obedience, but never have any thoughts about serving Him.
As a starting point, we can serve Him by allowing others
to see the characteristics of Jesus living in us every day.
Unfortunately selfishness gets in the way
and we live for ourselves (our wants, our needs, etc.),
rather than living for Him (love, compassion, encouragement, selflessness, etc.).
ACTION:
As you go through each day, live as though you feel God’s “look” is upon you.
Give up “self-control” and give control to the Holy Spirit.
Of course this means that quite often you will be required
to go against your natural inclinations of selfishness.
The scriptures gives us a good credo to live by:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for my own selfishness which causes me
to miss out on Your blessings for me. Thank You for watching me and
wanting the best for me. Help me to search out ways for me to serve You
so that I can unlock the door to new blessings You have for me. Give me
wisdom and guide me as I develop the characteristics of Your Son in my
own life. Help me to become less selfish and more selfless so that others
can clearly see that I have, and value a relationship with You.”
blog: UTVOLWOODY.WORDPRESS.COM
Amen!
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Great article, Don. I’m staying tuned in to an intimate relationship with the Lord. I want to sense His presence and voice and know He is always with me. Love this. “…we can serve Him by allowing others
to see the characteristics of Jesus living in us every day.”
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Thank you Karen my friend! It is very encouraging to me personally to know that you also have a passion to see people come to (and some return to) the Lord. Thank you for all of your efforts to point others to our Savior!! And thanks for your kind remarks which are very encouraging to me!
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