Praise the LORD!!!
"Due to computer problems today, this is a re post from an earlier date. Please pray that something will happen where these problems will be a thing of the past and I'll not need to re post because of computer problems again! May the LORD's will be done!!!
Matt. 6:33
"But seek first HIS KINGDOM and HIS righteousness,"
Herein lies the very foundations of our relationships with GOD after being born again. If you are to succeed in your walk for JESUS, you must realize that it all relies upon your keeping your eyes focused on HIS KINGDOM and HIS righteousness to maintain relationship with HIM! You must focus your total being on seeking after all that HE is, said/says and did/does. Now on this last part, I've both the past and present covered, for we must always remember what GOD has done as well as that which HE will do! Remembering that which HE did in the past gives us a greater reason to praise HIM and reinforces reasoning to continue asking HIM through prayer for present blessings.
Herein lies several of the major problems with a lot of Christians today. 1. They forget all that GOD has done for them and given to them within their lives. 2. Or remembering that which HE's done in the past, they tend to only think about getting their prayers answered and not on praising HIM for the past, present and the promises of the future. Two very grave problems, which we will take a good look at.
1. GOD has graced each and everyone of us so abundantly we can't even begin to total them up. Besides JESUS' redeeming death upon the cross for us, we owe HIM for every moment of life that we've had. For before conception HE knew us. He formed us and made us just as HE wanted us to be, whether or not you like the way you are or not, GOD had/has a purpose for creating you in such a manor. GOD's understanding is so far above ours that HE knew everything about each of us, before HE created the universe, right down to the smallest of details and all the way to our very passing from this earth. It is hard to even begin to understand all of what GOD knows or really any of HIS attributes, except for in general terms.
Now lets add to this all the miracles GOD has preformed within your life. Now I don't know about you, but I can't count them all. GOD has maneuvered all kinds of things within my life and to even begin to try and count them would be a waste of time. Kind of like counting to a million, you know its a lot, so why even try! Needless to say, it most likely has been far more then you can really imagine, but the point is, have you thanked HIM for them?
Now point 2: Ok, you remember all that GOD has done, well a good number of them and your in need of something again. So you start to pray, asking HIM to provide for your needs. There's inherently nothing wrong with this, matter of fact, we are told to ask for those things that we needed. But how often do your prayers turn into "pity parties?" 'Oh FATHER GOD, this and that has gone wrong', 'billy bob did such and such to me,' 'I just can't go on like this.' I could go on, but I think you know them, maybe too well.
How often do you pray and do nothing but thank GOD for all that HE's done? How often do you pray and acknowledge how great HE is? How often have you prayed and just thanked HIM and then sat there and waited for an answer? Now these are three questions which I was blessed to learn the importance of from the very beginning. When GOD opened my eyes to the redemptive works of JESUS, I was in jail, facing a long sentence. Seeing no future ahead, because I wouldn't be a free man until my late sixties or seventies. But the LORD blessed me with finding a book on the power of praising GOD. It was this little book that GOD used to finally get my attention (looking at 35+ yrs. helped too.) Ever since though, I've always kept praise and thanksgivings to GOD first and foremost within my prayer life and not just my prayers, I praise HIM for everything, and all the time too!!!
To seek after GOD's KINGDOM and HIS righteousness really isn't that hard. It really just placing your focus on GOD's WORD and those principles HE's laid down for you in the scriptures. That means you need to really begin to read your Bible, not just let it sit on the coffee table and collect dust, but truly seeking out everything you can about GOD!!! Pray first, doing so in a humble and contrite spirit, thanking HIM for all that HE is, has done and will do within your life. Ask HIM for the HOLY SPIRIT to lead you and guide you in your reading, plus that HE grant you wisdom and understanding from that which you read. Then thank HIM for all that HE is about to do within your life by HIS giving these things so graciously. Now, after your done reading, don't just get up and go about your daily routine. Take a moment and think deeply about what GOD has just revealed to you, take it to heart and then, put it to action within your life!!!
Other reading: Matt. 19:29; Luke 12:29-34; Psalms 37:4, 105:1-5; Duet. 4:29; 2 Ch. 15:2; Heb. 11:6
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
Friday, March 26, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
