. . . that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . —Ephesians 1:18
You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.
May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.
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May 15, 2013
Lord, I want to live like that. And when I read a devotional like this one I am reminded how far I need to grow. But You also remind me of how far I have traveled. Perhaps I am not the same person I was before.
And God says…”You are being transformed into My likeness, and while you would like that to take place in a flash, and in some ways that has occurred, you are being transformed over time. You are being shaped by trials, circumstance and the sandpaper of daily life. Count it all good as you encounter various trials, knowing that I love you so much I would not allow you to miss being transformed. Rejoice and know I am with you this day. Delight yourself in the Lord, and receive the desires of your heart.”
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