GOD's SHAPING TOOLS/ God Acts on Our Behalf /by C. Stanley
Mar 14, 2021 14:09:10 GMT -5
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Post by Not a Guest/ Mommadee on Mar 14, 2021 14:09:10 GMT -5
GOD's KINDESS IS DEMONSTRATED: by the fact that He doesn't leave us in the condition we were in before salvation. Through out our life, the Lord uses certain tools to shape us into the image of His Son:
1) God Word. We grow in Christ when we spend time reading the Bible, because Scripture is like food that nourishes our soul (Matthew 4:4) Unfortunately some Christians only enjoy the Sunday dinner serve by the Pastor on Sunday mornings.
2) Prayer. We learn to depend on the Lord by coming to Him with our needs and concerns as well as our praise and gratitude. As we regularly draw near, our intimacy and love for Him grows. Instead of seeing prayer as a duty, We'll realize our time with the Lord has become a delight.
3) The Church. The body of believers is another important factor in our transformation because that's where we learn to love one another. It's where we find encouragement, receive biblical instruction, and experience accountability.
Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. But when we intentionally schedule time for God, His Word, and His people, He does His transforming work in our life.
THE LORD IS A GOD OF ACTION: Even when He rested after six days of creation, it wasn't because He was tired and needed to recuperate- His creative activity may have stopped, but He never ceased working. And throughout history He has always been intimately involved in individual lives without ever relaxing control over the universe.
Sometimes, however, it may seem He's unconcerned about us, because our prayers aren't answered as quickly as we'd like. When that happens, we need to remember it doesn't mean God has stopped working. He teaching you Faith, (Believe). He changes people's hearts, and protects His children from making FOOLISH decisions that could have a disastrous consequences. (It's called PROTECTION even if we don't see it). By intentionally choosing to trust and depend (WAIT) on God rather than doubt Him, you are cooperating with His process of spiritual growth.
He alone knows what you need and when you need it. (Even if you don't). Be encouraged, knowing that God has planned good things for those who wait. (Isa. 64:4). Now even if you don't get specifically what you requested, YOUR FATHER's answer WILL be for your eternal good and HIS glory.
READ: Isa. 1-4...
1) God Word. We grow in Christ when we spend time reading the Bible, because Scripture is like food that nourishes our soul (Matthew 4:4) Unfortunately some Christians only enjoy the Sunday dinner serve by the Pastor on Sunday mornings.
2) Prayer. We learn to depend on the Lord by coming to Him with our needs and concerns as well as our praise and gratitude. As we regularly draw near, our intimacy and love for Him grows. Instead of seeing prayer as a duty, We'll realize our time with the Lord has become a delight.
3) The Church. The body of believers is another important factor in our transformation because that's where we learn to love one another. It's where we find encouragement, receive biblical instruction, and experience accountability.
Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. But when we intentionally schedule time for God, His Word, and His people, He does His transforming work in our life.
THE LORD IS A GOD OF ACTION: Even when He rested after six days of creation, it wasn't because He was tired and needed to recuperate- His creative activity may have stopped, but He never ceased working. And throughout history He has always been intimately involved in individual lives without ever relaxing control over the universe.
Sometimes, however, it may seem He's unconcerned about us, because our prayers aren't answered as quickly as we'd like. When that happens, we need to remember it doesn't mean God has stopped working. He teaching you Faith, (Believe). He changes people's hearts, and protects His children from making FOOLISH decisions that could have a disastrous consequences. (It's called PROTECTION even if we don't see it). By intentionally choosing to trust and depend (WAIT) on God rather than doubt Him, you are cooperating with His process of spiritual growth.
He alone knows what you need and when you need it. (Even if you don't). Be encouraged, knowing that God has planned good things for those who wait. (Isa. 64:4). Now even if you don't get specifically what you requested, YOUR FATHER's answer WILL be for your eternal good and HIS glory.
READ: Isa. 1-4...