What the LORD requires (of you & of me)!!!
We are to “live out” in public our faith for one primary reason; others will see JESUS. The prophet Micah knew this truth.
“With what shall I come to the LORD
And bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
With yearling calves?
Does the LORD take pleasure in thousands of rams,
In ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give Him my firstborn for my wrongdoings,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has told you, mortal one, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6: 6-8)
I read earlier today how a Christ-follower is to remain “thankful” in all circumstances. The Scripture passage spoke of how this “thankfulness” is God’s will for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Being Thankful—in EVERYTHING. Hum, what does that look like?
Are we thankful when our car breaks down or when our tire goes flat—because in God’s providence, He knows what accident awaits us if we continue driving down the road we are traveling? In the sitting beside the road, we avoid the wreck that would come if we had not been stopped. ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we thankful when God moves us and then cuts our pay—because in God’s providence, He knows the mercy that is needed to heal the deep spiritual heart issues lurking just below our skin. God knows our heart. God does, and he continually saves us from ourselves. That’s correct. God’s salvation is forever as He saved us, as He is saving us, and as He will save us on the day we leave this world for our eternal home. ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we thankful when we are driving to Wal-Mart, as we are enjoying the breeze from the rolled-down car windows? Are we still praising God in thankfulness when a wasp flies into the vehicle—just to ride along with us? Are we just as thankful when this same wasp flies from landing place to landing place (all found in the front seat of our car) as we try our best to focus upon our “safe” driving? ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we hands-raised up high, praising God, whenever a field mouse climbs into our vehicle, seeking a ride from here to there—even when he suddenly runs across the lap of our dear niece who screeches out in fear and who now lives in trepidation of these tiny creatures? ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we thankful when we journey on a much-needed holiday, when we stop by the military base to stay the night at the Navy Lodge, and while there receive documents that require our spouse to report to duty—He’s now being deployed. ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we thankful when our child marries a man who moves her far away from us?
Are we thankful when the doctor gives us a diagnosis we just don’t want to hear?
Are we thankful when the cost of everything (our food, utilities, household goods & fuel) seems to rise as the days march by, causing us to tighten our already “tight belts”? ARE WE THANKFUL?
Are we Thankful In All Situations & in All Circumstances?
Are we always rejoicing in Everything?
Are we praying, seeking God’s will, in All Situations?
Are we “living out” our faith in public for the primary reason—so the world will see JESUS living in us?
In seasons of Pain.
In times of Distress.
In moments of Anxiety.
In EVERY second, minute, hour & in EVERY day, week, month, & year.
That’s what the LORD desires (of you & of me)!!!
Living in Justice (rightly in God’s eyes).
Responding in love and kindness (serving others).
Walking in humility right beside Jesus (wherever we go).
That’s what the LORD requires (of you & of me)!!!
It’s an amazing, awesome, all-inspiring opportunity to belong to God.
It’s an overwhelming sense of responsibility to lead another to receive Christ Jesus into his heart & the responsibility continues as we “live out” our faith, teaching others as we go, encouraging them, praying with them & for them, serving alongside them—as God gives us days to live.
That’s what the LORD requires (of you & of me)!!!
- It’s really quite simple—this walking with Jesus.
- It’s really just—an on-going conversation with God.
- It’s really actively allowing—the Holy Spirit to lead us as we go throughout our days.
“Rejoice always. [in all circumstances]
pray without ceasing. [in all situations]
in everything give thanks; [every day in all things] for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. [for every believer who belongs to Christ Jesus]”
(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)
We are to “live out” in public ways our faith for one primary reason; others will see JESUS.
That’s what the LORD requires (of you & of me)!!!
“For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”—[COMPLETELY—AS IN ALL PARTS, ALL SITUATIONS, ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, & ALL WAYS!]
(2 Chronicles 16: 9a)