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An earthly existence lived on a spiritual level The difference between an effective Christian life and witness, and a lack lustre or mediocre existence, depends greatly on our personal response to the promises of Gods Word. Our usefulness to God relies on our obedience in the challenges of daily life. The Bible is our 'Makers Instruction Manual' and contains the rules from heaven, for life on earth, but like any instruction manual is of no use if we leave it to gather dust on the shelf. The Word of God becomes effective when we take hold of the message and put it into practice in our lives. Romans 12:2; 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' The Holy Spirit uses our knowledge of the Word of God to wash and renew our mind, and daily transforms us into the person He wants us to become. Faith grows on the knowledge of God's Word. It is not the 'let go and let God' ideology into which I subscribed for some years. Neither is it a form of positive thinking, the notion that 'if we pray believing it will happen, then it surely will.' We are expected to pray in the full assurance of faith that comes from knowing God's Word. God does not perform at our demand and he will never contradict His Word. When we pray as His Spirit leads within the will and purposes of God, we can know the prayer is already being answered at the time of our praying. It is an accomplished fact! Without a doubt God can do anything at anytime. He also knows us better than we know ourselves, and what a sobering thought that is. There are times when he doesn't give us the desires of our hearts for our own good, and we must trust Him in that. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to own a little yellow sports car. It is a standing joke within the family and among close friends; so much so, from time to time I'm given a model yellow car as a gift. Recently I just couldn’t resist sitting inside a new sports car on display in my local dealers showroom. Later, and with my daughter laughing her sox of at my fraught attempts to lever myself out again, a kindly Salesman had to assist my somewhat undignified removal from the lovely vehicle. In reality it's a nice dream. Yet I know He longs to give me the desires of my heart but in all honesty I cannot ask for this in Jesus name. However, God knows my heart and over the years He has given me many wonderful gifts which I haven't asked Him for. Our prayer becomes effective when we ask 'in His name' knowing it is in accordance with God's will for our lives. The Apostle Paul tells us we can know God's will for our lives, in Romans 12:2b. 'Then you will be able to approve His good and pleasing will.' ‘Then’ indicates we must first fulfill the obligations of verses 1 & 2a before we can reap the benefits. I am convicted that Faith - is Belief in action! Like Peter walking on the water, when we take our eyes of Jesus and look at the circumstances, we quickly sink. The measure of our faith is the measure of our trust, our confidence in the promises of Gods Word. Blessings, Pat |
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