What is God’s Will for My Life?

This is a question many God-fearing/God-loving people have pondered and it comes up often in my ministry to young adult college students. There is some confusion and mystery that many people have about God’s will, sure, and some of this is because we can’t and don’t know everything about God and His will, but the good news is that we can know some truth about God and His will that can and should be applied to our lives.

The first and main place I look for such truth is God’s Holy Word where we see His will refers to His plans, purposes, decisions, commandments, and guidance. Think of your own personal volitional will.

Some examples of my will:

- I will that I get out of bed on a workday morning to go to work. I will that I bathe on a regular basis for good clean hygiene.

- Sometimes it is my will that I desire to dunk a basketball over a tall guy or go for a walk in a remote area but I don’t always tell anyone else that this is my will so it is hidden to them.

- I will that my young children clean up after they make messes around our home. My children have learned that this is my will for them but they don’t always obey my will. They have some freedom in their decision making and behavior yet there is still personal responsibility and accountability.

God’s will is similar to these examples although God is also very different and unique because He is the eternal self-existent perfect Holy sovereign spiritual Creator Savior Lord almighty being.

We are exhorted in Scripture to learn about God’s will and live accordingly.

Ephesians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

There are two aspects of the will of God I want to highlight.

1) The Decreed Will of God

This is sometimes known also as the Sovereign Absolute will of God.

Here’s an example. God the Father decreed beforehand that the eternal Son of God would become flesh and die for our sins and rise in victory. This is God’s will and it was going to happen and it did happen because God decreed it to happen. God also ordained, planned for, and allowed/permitted opposition to Jesus, including violence against Jesus, to take place related to His death on the cross.

Luke 22:21-22 (ESV) But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²² For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Acts 2:23 (ESV) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 4:26-28 (ESV) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— ²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Consider some Bible verses that teach God has a sovereign will (plan, purpose) over all.

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV) In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Matthew 10:29-30 (ESV) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

God’s providential overall plan covers even the “small potatoes” matters and details of His creation.

Prov. 16:1, 9, 33 ESV

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

⁹ The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Proverbs 21:1 (ESV) The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

Daniel 4:35 (NLT) All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

Job 42:2 (ESV) “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Isaiah 46:10-11 (ESV) declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ ¹¹ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

See also Jer. 18:6, Isa. 45:9, Ps. 135:6, Prov. 21:30, Job 12:10, Deut. 32:39.

Along with His sovereign will over all things, there are aspects to God (i.e. His thoughts, ways, will) that are unknown to us, a mystery to us.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV) “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

And even though there are unknowns about God and His will and in this creation there is sin, evil, suffering, and difficult circumstances there is still this divine truth that God is sovereign over everything and He will work things out for His good purposes.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

God’s redeemed should find comfort in these truths about God’s will and purposes that He is sovereignly in control of His creation yet we are not puppets living fatalistic lives. He controlling everything to the degree that our decision making doesn’t matter. He has given us a degree of free will under His Sovereign purposes. Because of this there is another aspect to God’s will.

2) The Prescriptive Will of God

What is meant by prescriptive here refers to something that we are to obey, follow, do, or not do (the prohibition could be called proscriptive). This prescriptive will of God refers to His commands, laws, and instructions we are to carry out in our lives.

Here are some Bible examples:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, ⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 2:15 (ESV) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

God’s will is that we obey Him, but people don’t always obey God’s commands and requirements for us and God doesn’t force us to obey Him. This has been happening since the first humans, Adam and Eve, chose to disobey God. God commanded them to not eat of a certain tree and a serpent (influenced by or a manifestation of Satan) tempted them to disobey God and they disobeyed God. It was God’s prescriptive will that Adam and Eve obey Him. They had freedom to make a moral choice with this aspect of God’s will.

This prescriptive moral will of God for our lives is important to follow. Jesus taught His followers to pray this to God, the Father, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Mt. 6:10b

The eternal Son of God, Jesus, set an example for us in prioritizing His incarnated life according to the will of God the Father:

John 6:38 (ESV) For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 4:34 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

His redeemed should prayerfully study Scripture for God’s prescriptive will of our lives and live accordingly. This pleases Him and honors Him and will impact lives with eternal significance.

God’s Will For Your Life

Usually, when someone asks, “What is God’s will for my life?” they are looking for some sort of detailed individual will of God plan for their lives, wanting to know details about their future in this life, like should they go to college or marry and if so where and whom; What about this “fork in the road” decision? Should I get this or be this or do this? etc….

These sort of personal circumstantial details are not spelled out in Holy Scripture but God has given us principles to live by that can and should be applied to our lives. Be careful; however, because we are exhorted to not worry and when we try to control the details of our future when God has not revealed His will about such things we are not trusting God and waiting on His timely guidance in our lives.

The nutshell answer to the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” is to accept Christ as your Savior and Lord and seek to live according to God’s Word for His people today. This is the essential foundational guideline that will keep your pointed in the right direction of God’s will for your life.

Trust God (namely, Jesus Christ) as your Savior and Lord by His grace through faith in Christ.

Ask God to help you understand and live by the revealed “proscriptive” will of God for God’s people today. We don’t have to know everything about God and His will in order to live according to His revealed will (from Scripture).

Pray that you delight in the Lord and that your desires align with His will (Ps. 37:4).

Follow a God-honoring decision making model. Sometimes you face a “fork in the road” decision when neither one is a sinful path so what decision should you make? From my “God-honoring Decision Making” blog entry (http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2014/04/god-honoring-decision-making.html), here are eight key steps to follow:

1) Pray to God (& fast), trusting Him throughout the process.

2) Seek relevant knowledge and understanding.

3) Seek biblical-based discernment.

4) Seek wisdom from God, His Word, & God-honoring people.

5) Analyze and compare information/options.

6) Wait on the Lord, be patient, to give you a sense of peace about it.

7) Ask God for increased living faith in Him.

8) Go ahead, when the timing is right, make the decision for the glory of God.

Keep in mind that relevant knowledge includes a growing self-awareness of how God has wired you for life and ministry; i.e. spiritual gift(s), strengths, God-honoring passions and skillsets.

Give lots of personal attention to being the person of God He biblically calls you to be. When you are Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, and God-glorifying this is transcendently more important than your circumstances in life like college majors and degrees, career, marital or parenting status, financial level, and physical health. God is most interested in how Christ-like you and I are. When we get this right we are headed in the right direction of understanding God’s will better and better for our lives.

Ask God to help you discern His leading and guidance in your life. The more surrendered to God you live the easier it will be for you to discern this. When you are “walking by” the Holy Spirit (also “led by”, “live by”; Gal. 5:16-25) and making God-honoring decisions you don’t have to worry about possibly missing out on what God’s will is for your life because living by the Spirit is God’s will for your life. Trust God’s guidance in your life. He wants to give you a spiritual peace with His guidance.

It is in doing the revealed will of God that you and I will experience God-glorifying purpose, direction, joy, spiritual intimacy with Him (and His people), and eternal significance.

How do you think God helps us answer the question, “What is God’s will for My Life?” and what are your thoughts about what I’ve presented here?

Mike

Spirit-led Evangelism

Recently, I was asked by an international student, whom I was discipling, if I would baptize him and proclaim the Gospel to his gathered family at this special event. I was honored to do so and I praise God for the opportunity. I asked God to lead me to what Bible passage I should highlight and He led me to the following encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian.

Acts 8:26-39 ESV Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ²⁷ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship ²⁸ and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” ³⁰ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
³² Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. ³³ In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” ³⁴ And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. ³⁶ And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” ³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

This Philip was likely the same man named in Acts 6 as one of a few whom the Apostles set apart, ordained, to assist them in ministry at that time. They were looking for men of good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (see Acts 6:3). Philip was one of these men.

Earlier in Acts 8, we read that Philip was ministering in Samaria to crowds; proclaiming the Gospel and healing people (by the power and name of Jesus Christ).

Then the Angel of the Lord spiritually called Philip to go to a certain deserted pathway. He was not called to a mega-church or stadium crusade. In this instance, Philip was called away from a crowded ministry setting to what probably seemed like the middle of nowhere. But there were some people there. This was a divine appointment.

Philip came near an Ethiopian man whom the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach. In fact, Philip ran to him, probably because the chariot was moving. This man was very important in his Queen’s courts. He also had some level of belief in the Lord God almighty because he had just come from worshiping Him in Jerusalem. On the road, he was reading aloud a Bible scripture by the prophet Isaiah. Philip politely asked if he understood what he was reading, but the man said he needed guidance to understand this passage (as do all when it comes to our salvation and discipleship; Rom. 10:14-17). The man was reading verses from Is. chp53, a passage that points to the coming Messiah, the Savior, we all need.

Here are a couple verses from Isa. 53; 5-6 ESV But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Just recently in the days of Philip and this Ethiopian, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, fulfilled these prophetic statements written hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah and Philip knew this. Then Philip opened his mouth and told this Ethiopian man the great news, Gospel, of Jesus Christ beginning with Isa. 53.  And since the Ethiopian soon afterwards wanted to stop to be baptized in water, I read between the lines that moments before his baptism he accepted Jesus Christ into his life as Savior and Lord.

Here are four take-aways from this passage I want to highlight:

1) The Importance of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism.

The Holy Spirit knew there was an Ethiopian in seeker mode for salvation (because God drew/pointed him in this direction) and the Holy Spirit knew he had an empowered Spirit-filled Christ-follower, Philip, who “could” go share the Gospel with this Ethiopian.

The Spirit (Holy Spirit) somehow impressed upon Philip to go up to the Ethiopian’s chariot. And after the baptism the Spirit carried Philip away. God directed Philip to the right person at the right time. The Holy Spirit was at work before, during, and after this Gospel encounter between these two men. The Holy Spirit is an essential component to evangelism. We shouldn’t be trying to do evangelism by way of our flesh; what we think we can do in our own efforts.

The Holy Spirit will impress upon a Christ-follower through different means (i.e. thoughts, burdens, convictions, Scripture, people) and we need to ask God to fill us with the Spirit and help us discern His voice and take the next steps.  Being “full of the Holy Spirit” (see Eph. 5:18) means one is “led by” the Holy Spirit (also “walk by”, “live by”; Gal. 5:16-25) and discerning of His leading in your life.

The most effective evangelism will be Spirit-led evangelism. God is at work all around us and He expects His people to be Spirit-led.

2) The Importance of Faithful Obedience to God.

I believe God’s primary evangelism vehicle comes through a human instrument, especially a Christ-follower who is faithful in sharing the Gospel. When I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord at age 9 it followed many Gospel presentations I had heard from my church Sunday School teachers and Children’s Church leaders and my own mother.

God is not forcing His people to share the Gospel but He has called us to do so and He desires to equip and empower us for this important ministry. Are we willing and faithful, though? Philip was. You may not be uniquely gifted as a professional or large scale evangelist but all Christ-followers are called to be Christ’s witnesses to proclaim the Gospel.

Philip accepted this witnessing commission from Christ. In Acts 8, we notice Philip was faithful and obedient to the leading of God in his life. This is spiritual success in one’s life. God is the One who spiritually draws people unto Himself as their needed Savior. God does the actual saving/salvation. Philip did not save anyone from their sins. God is the One who did great evangelism ministry through Philip who was willing, available, and faithful to serve God in sharing the Gospel with people.

Praise God, Philip was not the common mute Christian witness that is so prevalent today nor was he a vague witness nor an overly aggressive witness. Following God’s prompting, he politely began a conversation with this stranger in a friendly way right where the man was spiritually at that moment (actually reading a Messianic Bible passage).

I remember once in seminary when I was walking from my basement apartment to my car and I chatted with a contractor doing some work on the neighbor’s house. He told me he was very down because of a murder suicide his high school friend was recently part of. The Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to point this man to the living hope that exists in the resurrected Christ but instead I kept things brief and general with that guy and did not mention what was really eternally significant and needed in that moment. Afterwards, I regretted that missed opportunity for ministry and my lack of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Praise God though, there have been other times when I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to go talk to someone and transition the conversation to the person and works of Jesus Christ and I did that. How about you?

3) The Importance of God’s Word in Evangelism.

The Word of God is our major source of Gospel revelation from God to us. Acts 8:35 (ESV Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.) summarizes a key reason why the Holy Bible was written.

Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God, especially the truth of the Gospel, to illuminate essential truth and draw people unto the Lord.

Let’s not major on extra-biblical illustrations and personal stories. These have their uses in evangelism but let’s be sure to major on using relevant Holy Scripture to communicate needed divine truth.

Do you and I have a good summary understanding of the Gospel according to God’s Word? Can you and I share the Gospel on a moment’s notice? I believe we should be able to do this and we should practice this and engage in this. If you had the opportunity today to talk with someone several minutes about the Gospel of Christ, which Bible verses might you highlight? Would any be from the Old Testament?

Let’s stay saturated in the Gospel of Christ; in our learning, in our remembering the truth we have learned, in our spiritual growth, in our proclamation of it.

4) The Importance of Cross-cultural Evangelism.

Philip was a Greek name and he was likely a Hellenist; a Jewish Christian who spoke Greek. His roots were possibly Palestinian. The Ethiopian was from another culture and land, Africa, and he was likely a dark skinned man. The point is, Philip did not just speak the Gospel to Jews or even Greeks. He spoke the Gospel to an African man (and to mixed-race Samaritans; earlier in Acts 8).

The Gospel is for people of all nations and tribes and Christ-followers are called to proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation (Mk. 16:15, Mt. 28:19). God created me Caucasian and I was born in Florida and my recent ancestors are Caucasian and were born in the US. This Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a US thing though, or a Caucasian thing, or just for or primarily for Caucasians and people who live in the US. This Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news in all of creation and intended to bless everyone. It is a cross-cultural Gospel. The eternal Son of God became flesh. God came to us, the Jews first, then to non-Jews.

I’ve been outside the US to share the Gospel with people from another land and I’ve been down the street to share the Gospel with people from another culture or the same culture. Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to a room of people who were from multiple continents and cultures and I spoke of this Acts 8 passage. In your circle of influence, are there people from other cultures (or you culture) you can speak to about Christ? Are we praying for such opportunities? Are we engaging in such ministry for the glory of God?

There are many people who would consider themselves religious and may even worship Jehovah/Yahweh but do they know Jesus Christ as Savior and the Lord of their lives by God’s grace through faith in Christ? And do you?

What are your thoughts about this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian recorded in Acts 8 and what I’ve written here?

Mike

5 Key Questions for the Christian(s)/Church

How am I (are we) doing at ..

1) ..loving God His way, worshipping Him with my all?

Expressions: full devotion, commitment, sacrificial, surrendering our all to God; living for him, trusting Him, obeying Him, praying to Him, learning about Him especially from His Word, giving back to Him generously…

Key Verses: 

Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength Mk. 12:30

..present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:1-2

2a) ..loving people God’s way?

Expressions: The following four questions reflect how to love people God’s way

Key Verses: 

..Love your neighbor as yourself .. Mk. 12:31

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34

2b) ..: fellowshipping with Believers?

Expressions: united, togetherness, oneness, sharing, deepening our relationship with, community, teamwork, family, ..

Key Verses: 

.. they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine & fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴⁴Now all who believed were together, & had all things in common, & sold their possessions & goods, & divided them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, ..praising God and having favor with all the people. Acts 2:42, 44-47

..that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  1 John 1:3

3) ..helping Christians (& myself) become more like Christ?

Expressions: discipleship, fully devoted followers of Christ, teaching/influencing believers with God’s Word about Christ and His ways, encouraging Christians to grow/mature in Christ..

Key Verses: 

 Those whom God has called and justified in Christ are to be conformed to the image of Christ Rom. 8:28-30

..Go and make disciples of all, baptizing them, teaching them to observe all things Christ has commanded.. Mt. 28:18-20

4) ..ministering to others?

Expressions: caring about others, helping them, serving them, tending to their needs; showing grace, mercy, one another commands/principles, being missional, ..

Key Verses: Gal. 5:13b, 6:10

..through love serve one another Gal. 5:13b

as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6:10

5) ..reaching the Lost w/the Gospel?

Expressions: evangelism, communicating the great news (death/resurrection) of Christ to nonbelievers, praying for the lost to be saved, witnessing to them with life/words about Christ as Savior and Lord..

Key Verses:

the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost; Lk. 19:10

Jesus came to call sinners to repentance Luke 5:32

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mk. 16:15

Above are some of my biblical thoughts about five priority spiritual, main thing in Christ, activities to engage in if you are a Christ-follower or Christ-centered Church. 

Do you think these sum up the main thing in Christ well or do you believe there is a better way to identify the main thing in Christ. 

Note: all verses in NKJV

Mike

Running the Race of Life God’s Way

Do you like physically running or jogging? Have you run a half or full marathon? Have you run in a track and field sprint race?

I like to watch the fastest runners in the world race, like in the Olympic games. They are very impressive.

I don’t like to run personally because I have problems with my feet but there are a couple instances of a running/race metaphor the Apostle Paul uses in the NT of God’s Word that are meaningful to me and I hope to you. In a few Bible passages, the English words “run” and “race” are metaphors about how we engage in the course of life set before us. I am going to walk through three of these Bible passages and I’ll point out three key stages in running this race of life God’s way.

The first stage to running the race of life God’s Way is

1) Start Well

As you have probably noticed in a sprint race, the start is very important to how well you run the rest of the race. The best sprinters in the world know that starting well is essential. And when you start well you should not only have the end in mind, the finish line in mind, you should desire to run well along the way. Of course, a Marathon may be a better metaphor for living a long challenging life but we can still learn some life principles from a sprint race.

Check out this first passage, I want to highlight, about a running race.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV) ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Paul first began writing about a physical running competition race where one person wins the race and receives a perishable reward. He exhorted the readers to run for the prize. He pointed out the importance of self-control in all things and self-control surely contributes greatly to victory. How are you doing at self-control in your life?

Then, Paul mentioned an imperishable reward. What does imperishable mean? Something that doesn’t perish; something that is eternal.

Paul is really writing here about an eternally significant race of life. And I wonder, have you started this eternally significant race of life yet?

Paul then wrote that he doesn’t run aimlessly and he keeps his body under control so that he doesn’t disqualify himself related to preaching the Gospel.

There are different courses of life; some are God-honoring and some are not. There is a course of life for those who trust Christ as their Savior that includes eternal life with God in His heaven. This is the race of life that every true Christ-follower has before them and they are to run this race God’s way and there are divine rewards to be enjoyed. In this particular race, every Christian exists for Christ, is to glorify God in everything, and be conformed to the image of Christ. In this particular race, there is also a divine vocational/ministry calling. This is the part of the race that maturing Christ-followers discern over time and are to also run God’s way and there are divine rewards to be enjoyed.

If you are a saved Christ-follower, do you know yet what God’s vocational/ministry calling is in your life? For me, it includes pastoral ministry; pointing people to Christ, His Word, and His church to be the people of God He wants us to be. If you don’t yet know this calling in your life, pray for God to bring that to light in His timing and seek out some wise counsel.

There is also a race of life that is aimless. Either the Christ-follower is aimless in that he or she doesn’t intentional live for the Lord or there is aimlessness (no eternal significance) because the person doesn’t yet know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

I believe that in order to run the race of life God’s Way, you and I must start well, and I believe this can’t happen until you and I give our life over to Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. When I was 9yrs old I received Christ into my life as my Savior because God spiritually called me to be saved by Jesus and I knew and still know that I need Him as my Savior and Lord.

What about you and Jesus? Who is Jesus Christ to you? We all have a sin problem and we need Jesus Christ to save us from this sin problem. The great news is that our Holy Creator God loves you and I so much that He sent His one and only eternal Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for all of our sins and He rose in victory over sin and death and offers us eternal life by His grace through faith in Him.

If any of you are not genuinely trusting Jesus as your Savior, then check this out about God’s plan for true life, eternal life. I don’t believe there is anything more important than personally knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and this is how you start well when it comes to running the race of life God’s way.

The second stage to running the race of life God’s Way is

2) Run Well

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The witnesses here are likely redeemed people who have already run their races of life the Lord set before them. We can learn from those mentioned in Hebrews 11 and other believers who have run the race of life before us. Now, it’s our turn, so let’s remove what hinders us from running a God-honoring race of life. Can you imagine a world-class sprinter trying to run a race with a ball and chain attached to his or her ankle?

We must identify sin footholds in our life and give those over to Jesus to deliver us from sin bondage. Maybe its legalism or pride or lust or selfishness. Ask God to show you what sin is entangling you in this race.

Paul exhorts us here to run with endurance this race of life set before us and keep our eyes on Jesus along the way.

The Greek word here translated as “race” is the word “agon” which is where we get the English word agony. This Christian race of life is not simple, smooth, and easy. Christ says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” This Christian life can be grueling; there is persecution, suffering, difficult storms, spiritual warfare, etc…We need to endure.

This word endurance refers to steadfastness and faithfulness. For example, are we engaging in consistent holy living, building our lives consistently upon the holy foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word for us?

And are we keeping our eyes of faith focused on Jesus Christ? Peter got out of the boat and walked on water briefly out to Jesus until Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at his circumstances, the waves around him, and that’s when Peter was afraid and began to sink. Jesus is the author of our salvation and the object of our living faith day by day. Let’s revolve our lives around and in Christ!

J. Vernon McGee wrote the following about Christians not running the race of life well (Thru the Bible Commentary; Hebrews 12:2), “They are like the little girl who fell out of bed one night. When the little girl began to cry, her mother rushed in and said, “Honey, how come you fell out of bed?” The little girl replied, “I think I stayed too close to the place where I got in.” That is the problem of the Christian today. We stumble and falter and fail because we are staying too close to the place where we got in. We need to go on—this is a race, you see.”

You and I must continually determine in our hearts to run this race of life God’s way; that is to run well!

Okay, the third stage to running the race of life God’s Way is 

3) Finish Well

Has there been something in your life so far that you believe you finished well? Maybe a challenging competition, goal, or project? An example in my life is my seminary experience at LU. God helped me learn a lot and I grew in Christ. I was involved in some eternally significant ministry through TRBC. I made some good ministry networking connections. I got married to a godly Liberty girl. God blessed me with a pastor job when I graduated. I look back at that time of my life and believe, by God’s grace, I finished that seminary experience well.

Paul wrote about finishing well. 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (ESV) ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Paul wrote to his young apprentice in ministry, Timothy, to fulfill the ministry God has called him to. God helps to equip and lead you in such a calling but you are responsible for being faithful to God and His calling in your life.

Paul knew he was nearing the end of his physical life so he reflected upon his race of life in Christ and he also looked forward into eternity. Paul stated that he fought the good fight, finished the race, and has kept the faith. Amen! Praise God. Paul believed he completed the race of life set before him; that he accomplished what God directed him and empowered him to accomplish. He was like a soldier, an athlete, a guardian and herald of God’s Word.

Paul also looked ahead to eternity which includes divine blessings in eternity like the crown of righteousness mentioned here.  I believe Heaven will be amazingly wonderful for all the redeemed saved people and in addition there will be some other divine blessings to enjoy for some believers who did well according to God’s will here.

We don’t work for salvation but I think we can put forth certain efforts in Christ toward rewards in heaven.

In 2 Cor. 5:10 we read about the judgment seat of Christ moment when the redeemed will receive rewards for their works that had eternally significant value.

We have one life in this physical body, so, let’s make it count for God’s purposes, His will, and His glory! Let’s redeem the time and honor the Lord with our lives and then by God’s grace and our God-honoring living perhaps when we draw near to death we will be able to say the same thing Paul wrote here; reflecting backward that we lived for God’s glory and looking forward to divine blessings in eternity. May we too be Christ-followers like Paul, who finished well.

So, when it comes to running the race of life God’s way I believe it is biblically important to start well, run well, and finish well.

What about you and this race of life set before you?

Have you started this race well, God’s way? Are you saved by Jesus Christ yet?

Are you running this race well, God’s way? Are you enduring in Christ, keeping your eyes of daily faith and obedience focused on Jesus?

Are you planning to finish this race well, God’s way? By fighting the spiritual fight for the cause of Christ and keeping the doctrines of the Christian faith according to God’s Word?

What do you and I need to change or adjust in our life to be more consistent at running this race of life God’s way?

What are your next steps to being all that God calls you to be and do what God calls you to do? And how can we help others in this same way?

God bless you in running the race of life God’s way!

Mike

Koinonia; Community among Christians

Someone once said of “fellowship”, “two fellows on the same ship,” and if when you are out to sea on a long journey you should partner with that other fellow and get along or life won’t go as well.

In the New Testament of God’s Word, we first come to the English word “fellowship” in Acts 2:42. This is one of the great model passages for Christian living and church related ministry, doing God-honoring missional life with other Christ-followers. The original Bible language of Greek for “fellowship” here is “koinonia” which refers to community, sharing, partnering, togetherness.

One time I preached at a church on the subject of this kind of fellowship and I used the following illustration.

“Today, I want to do something that may help some of us remember the Greek word, koinonia, and its meaning of fellowship a little better. The ushers are going to give a real nickel coin to everyone here this morning. When you receive this coin, just hold it in your hand.

First, notice that the first few letters of the Greek word, koinonia, sound just like the English word “coin”. This coin is a reminder of the beginning sound of koinonia.

Second, now, we all have a nickel in common. This is a reminder that all redeemed Christ-followers have one very important thing in common. One of the meanings of koinonia is commonality. Christians have one key spiritual truth of oneness in common. All true born again Christians are spiritually in Christ. The nickel, of course, doesn’t mean you are a true Christian.  

By God’s grace through faith in Christ as your personal Savior and Lord means you are a saved Christ follower.

Third, one nickel by itself is worth five cents and it’s just a small piece of metal, but all our nickels together provide more value and a stronger weightier collection of metal. When individual Christians practice healthy biblical fellowship with other Christians they have more synergy and strength for the cause of Christ and are better able to minister to one another and grow in Christ. Christians are not islands intended to be isolated or separated from fellow Christians long term. Christ-followers are members of the Body of Christ, members of one another. We need Christian community and God’s will is to work in and through Christian community; doing life together with fellow Christ-followers. This is God-honoring fellowship.

Keep the nickel and let it be a reminder to you of koinonia; the meaning, the importance, and the practice of Christian fellowship.”

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²² In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV

What are your thoughts about biblical community among Christ-followers that can be lived out today?

Mike

Struggling with Addiction? There’s Hope in Christ!

Here are my notes from a recent podcast I contributed to about addiction and the hope one has in Christ through His Word and with the help of His people. Listen at http://liftyourvoice.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-02T19_54_07-08_00

Hello, I’m Mike, a grateful redeemed Christ-follower and I’m recovering from a former addiction to smokeless tobacco and sexual lust when I was an adolescent and young adult and I continue to struggle from time to time with various issues like perfectionism, controlling behaviors, and anger. Basically, I’m a mess without the regular intervention of Jesus Christ, His Word, and His people in my life to help me be the person of God He wants me to be.

We all have broken areas in our lives. No one has it all together. Everyone has been hurt by others, we’ve hurt ourselves, and we’ve hurt others. These things can result in some sort of hurt, hang-up, or habit that prevents us from being all that God wants us to be.

When I was nine years old I received Christ as my Savior and I’ve been a Christ-follower for about forty years but it was a very up and down spiritual journey in my adolescent years.

As a teen, God blessed me with a powerful youth ministry experience related to church but away from church I engaged in a lot of foolish immoral behaviors. It was during those years that I developed an addiction to lust and to smokeless tobacco. I also knew someone close to me who struggled with drug abuse and following a suicide attempt was placed in a drug program. There were also some alcoholics in our family tree. I praise God that I was never hooked on drugs and alcohol but I know I am vulnerable to getting hooked on those substances. I was certainly hooked on dip/chewing tobacco and lust which were bad habits I could not stop on my own in the flesh. I needed help beyond myself, especially God’s help.

At around twenty years of age, I was spiritually convicted to be more surrendered to Christ which led to a more God-honoring set of friends, improved behaviors, and leadership involvement in the church’s youth ministry. I wanted to help younger people avoid the foolish immoral activities I engaged in during my teen years.

It was during this timeframe that I zeroed in on a computer programming career and volunteer youth ministry on the side and God blessed greatly on that path. I backslid a little bit in my twenties regarding drinking alcohol and lustful behaviors but God redirected me on the right path and I stepped up with my personal responsibility as a Christ-follower to be more consistently God-honoring with my life.

I remember with smokeless tobacco I could never seem to stop for more than a few months until one day I cried out to God in prayer to take away the craving and help me lead the girl, I loved at the time, to Him as Savior and about thirty minutes later we were on our knees and she received Christ. And for the past twenty years or so I no longer have the craving to use smokeless tobacco. God got my attention with an answered prayer and I stepped up with consistent self-control abstaining from tobacco and He removed the craving.

My fairly consistent victory in Christ over lust was more of a tapering off journey of me engaging in more holy thinking and behavior and less and less worldly carnal thinking and behavior. Prayer, Bible application, Christian community, accountability, serving the Lord, and getting married to a godly woman has helped greatly with experiencing more consistently victory over temptation to lust.

God has blessed with me a wife and we have four children. I’ve been a pastor for 14 years and I was involved in lay ministry for years before that. I’m passionate about helping people know Christ and become more like Christ and help others in the same way.

And in such ministry, we have to address various hurts, hang-ups, and habits that prevent a person from being all that God wants them to be.

An example of a negative habit that gets in the way of God’s will for our life is addiction.

When I use the word “addiction” I’m referring to a negative reoccurring action or thought that can be pleasurable at first but interferes with normal life situations and responsibilities like relationships, employment, and health. Such addictions include compulsive behaviors, lack of self-control, and a sense that one can’t live without the addiction whether they acknowledge the word “addiction” or the truth about their “addiction” or not.

People can be addicted to all sorts of things like drugs, alcohol, nicotine, gambling, lustful thoughts, sexual activity, spending, caffeine, over-eating, and over-working.

I’ve known people who are addicted to drinking soda daily. They will not stop drinking it because that drink and their behavior have their hooks in that person as a habit that runs deep. A daily soda may seem like small potatoes but it can become unhealthy and may point to some spiritual issues, biblically. A more obvious problem addiction is shooting heroin into your veins which is illegal, unhealthy, very difficult to stop, and could kill you.

There are various reasons why people fall into addictions. Perhaps there is some genetic vulnerability due to addicts in the family, or influence from people close to you, or poor emotional processing and not coping with stress well, escapism, curiosity, medical use, and others.

Addictions often snowball and get worse over time. They should be acknowledged and taken seriously.

There can certainly be a complexity to addictions, like how it came about and whether it is physical, psychological and/or a moral issue. I usually approach it holistically; that is to say that we have thoughts, emotional processing of feelings, physical conditions and behaviors, and a spiritual aspect to our lives.

Of course, being a Christ-follower and believer in God’s holy Word, I believe what matters most is a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, so the spiritual component when addressing addiction is most important in my approach to helping someone, but I understand that there are other aspects of the human life and experience to address.

Depending on the individual’s addiction and circumstances they may need medical and law enforcement intervention and removal from what they are addicted to. Sooner rather than later, I want to know who that person thinks Jesus Christ is and do they know Christ as their Savior or not because I believe true freedom from sin bondage, true healing from addictions, and true hope in this life and for eternal life with our Holy Creator God is only found in Jesus Christ.

I want to write briefly about a model (Overcoming Temptation to Sin) I use personally and help others with one on one when it comes to reoccurring sin habits. And then I will summarize a group ministry approach (Celebrate Recovery) that can help as well.

Sin is anything that goes against the character and commanding will of God. Temptation is not sin but can lead to sin. Not only does everyone have experience sinning, we also have lots of experience being tempted to sin.

Check out this early occurrence of the Holy Bible of the word ‘sin.’ God was speaking to Cain.

Genesis 4:7 NLT You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

Here are three principles to heed from this verse:

First, acknowledge and learn more about the temptation to sin conflict. There is a real spiritual war going on and we continue to be tempted to sin.

Secondly, discern between right and wrong. Our greatest resource and standard for such discernment is God’s Word.

Third, master your temptations to sin. The master of all masters, the master over all, is Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18, 1 Tim. 6:15). The key to our mastering temptation is based on the person and work of Jesus Christ, trusting Him as Savior and Lord, and living for the glory of God based on God’s Holy Word for His people today.

Here are ten biblical principles to help you overcome temptation to sin and overcome spiritual enemies of God:

1) Trust God; He’s Powerful and He’s faithful to His people.

2) Pray for victory over your temptation.

3) Keep God's Word close to your heart. 

4) Christ followers are to stand strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God.

5) Holistically submit yourself to godliness.

6) Abstain, resist, and flee from what’s wrong in the eyes of God. Don’t just say “no” to temptation to sin, say “yes” to holiness and godliness in Christ.

7) Be an overcomer by faith in Christ. 

8) Be an overcomer with good.

9) Walk the way of the wise and understand the Lord’s will.

10) Do all to the glory of God.

Think of this spiritual war in terms of your offense and defense. The offense includes preparing for battle, preparing for the attacks of the enemies of God, building on the foundation of Christ day to day with increased faith in Him, learning and living out biblical principles individually and in Christian community, and honoring the Lord. I call this The Holy Foundation Stage. This is how we are to live daily according to God’s Word. Then there is the defense that includes responding to specific temptations by crying out to Christ and praying some ‘go to’ prayers and Bible verses, and reaching out to mature Christ followers for help. I call this The Holy Fighting Stage. Consistently overcoming temptation must include both of these stages.

God provides and promises His people all kinds of help in the battle with temptation and sin.  

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Pet. 1:3-4 ESV

If a person is willing to trust Christ and apply these biblical principles, I believe they will begin to experience more and more victory over the temptation to sin, and healing and freedom from a struggle like addiction. You can read this link for the longer version of the above principles, which includes several Bible verses (http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2014/10/overcoming-temptation.html).

For some people, I believe they can receive help with their addiction by participating in a group program or ministry. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is one such ministry. I’ll summarize it for you.

CR began two decades ago in a CA church and is now global, being used in 20,000+ churches and other locations. At the core of the CR ministry is Jesus Christ, His Word, the Christian 12 steps for recovery, 8 recovery principles based on the Beatitudes, and a community of Christ-followers who help CR participants through recovery and spiritual growth in Christ. And it has worked and continues to work in many lives; to the glory of God.

CR is designed to provide a safe place to find freedom and healing, in Christ, from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and negative habits including addiction and any other issue that keeps people from being all that God wants them to be. There is a celebration of God’s healing power through the recovery process which is based on the power of Christ through God’s Word and His people. The entry level to a weekly CR ministry has a large co-ed group in the first hour that includes worship, teaching and/or a testimony of life change in Christ, and some fellowship. Then participants have the opportunity to open up in a same-gender small group setting and possibly in one-one-one coaching/accountability relationships.

Here are a couple of the recovery steps, principles, and verses used in CR:

Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable.

Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Principle 2 Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Step 3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Principle 5 Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires, Matthew 5:6a

You can see all the CR steps, principles, and their corresponding verses at http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebrate-recovery-8-principles-12-steps.html

One key component of CR is the testimony. People who have been experiencing recovery and spiritual growth in Christ, people who have been healed of hurt, hang-ups, and/or addictive habits share their testimony to the participants of CR. Praise God! This can be a powerful ministry tool for the person sharing, their own healing journey, and to impact people’s hearts who are also on a journey of recovery or need to be. There is hope in Christ!

You can go to CelebrateRecovery.com to find out more about this ministry and to find a CR location near you.

Regardless of the addiction, hurt, hang-up, or habit in your life or loved one’s life there is hope in Jesus Christ!

God bless you and your loved ones.

What are your thoughts on Jesus Christ, His Word, and His redeemed helping people experience healing and freedom from addiction?

Mike

Note: the above notes are not intended to be a comprehensive look into the issue of addiction or give the impression that helping someone struggling with addiction is a simple quick process. My goal was to share a little bit about addiction and point to the hope that exists in Jesus Christ working through His Word and working in and through His people. 

Praise the Lord

Here’s a demonstration of “praise” time in some youth meetings I attended in the past. “Who has a praise they want to share? Come on, I know some of you have a praise.” One youth says, “Oh! Oh! I got an ‘A’ on my math test.” Another youth says, “We didn’t have school Friday because of the snow.” And on and on they go. The ministry leader asks for praises and the youth are sort of programmed into sharing something ‘feel good’ that has happened to them or someone else. Is this what praising God is all about? No, there’s more to it.

One of my favorite “praise God” chapters in God’s Word is Psalm 150 which provides us with some basic answers to five question words regarding praising God.

1) WHAT? 

vs. 1a Praise the LORD!

“Praise” is the action and “the Lord” is the object of that action.

When I was very young I remember singing a song in Children’s Church; half the group sang one part and the other half sang the other part. It went something like this: “Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah!” It was very simple and catchy. What does “Praise Ye the Lord” have to do with Hallelujah? They mean the same thing.

“Hallelujah” is the Hebrew word for “praise ye Yahweh.” The first part means to shine, make a show, boast, rave, celebrate, commend, magnify, glorify, honor, be worthy of praise. The second part means “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” which is God’s sacred name that comes from the four letter Hebrew word that states “I am who I am”, the name God revealed to Moses thru a burning bush.

2) WHERE? 

vs. 1b Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!

Sanctuary is a consecrated place which in this verse likely refers to the physical temple sanctuary where Hebrews worshiped God.

His Mighty Heavens refers to the expanse of space that is over the earth like a dome; the visible arch of the sky. This Hebrew word is found several times in Genesis 1 describing the creation of God such as the water, land, and sky. God is the Creator of the Heavens and the earth and we are to praise Him as we walk down the beach, hike the mountains, camp in the woods, or hang out in a church building. We are to praise the Lord everywhere and anywhere.

3) WHY? 

vs. 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Perhaps you don’t think it is a big deal that the caterpillar becomes a butterfly or that the lilies float, then how about the oceans, the mountains, the stars and solar systems? Have you ever been far away from a city, outside on a clear night looking up into the sky? It is amazing! That is fruit from God almighty. He made the stars, the sun and beauty in nature and living creatures. His mighty deeds are too numerous to list and we can’t even understand all that He has done, but I know this, His works are amazing! Amen?

God wants His mighty acts to be seen, to be known. He wants you and me to talk about them not only to other people but also to God as a praise to Him.

His Excellent Greatness refers to who God is. We should be ongoing learners of His nature, essence, character, and attributes. For example, God is spirit, love, holy, all-knowing, self-existent, eternal, just, merciful, and on and on.

4) HOW? 

vs. 3-5 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

We can praise the Lord by using musical instruments. Three primary types are present here: wind, stringed, and percussion. I like that there is variety and God likes variety. Also, the sounds from these instruments are attention getting not some sort of soft mellow-out put me to sleep music. We are to celebrate God when we praise Him.

This passage also mentions dancing as another example of how to praise God. I kind of envision this to be like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music movie when she was skipping around on the hilltops singing “the hills are alive with the sound of music.” This is not about some sort of sensual dancing which is so popular in our culture today.

5) WHO? 

vs. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

I remember years ago, before I came to LU for seminary, when I heard the Youth Quest singing team from LU visit the church I was part of (GABC in Richmond, VA) and sing a song that stood out to me. The title and main chorus was “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” It moved me. I was actually not familiar with this Bible verse at the time, but sometime later I came across it in my studies and drew the connection of this moving song I once heard and the powerful Holy Word of God.  Everything that has breath definitely includes me and you.

Is there any doubt what Psalm 150 is about and what we should be doing? This Psalm writer is emphatically proclaiming the importance of praising God. All these verses should end with the exclamation point.  “Praise” occurs 13 times in this chapter of 6 verses which is at least twice per verse. Emphasis is used here to get our attention. Does God have your attention; to praise Him according to His Word?

John Wesley was a great Evangelist a couple hundred years ago who founded the Methodist movement and whose name the Weslyan church is named after. I read somewhere that when he laid on his deathbed at the age of 88 those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath" based on Psalm 150:6.

God is so praiseworthy; and we are to praise Him for who He is and what He does, through different God-honoring means, anywhere, anytime! Let’s do this, let’s praise the Lord according to His Word for His glory! Amen!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

What are your thoughts about praising the Lord according to God’s Holy Word?

Mike