Monday, September 16, 2019

Pastor's Ponderings, September 16, 2019

What Have You Done For God Lately?

We live in a time where many of us want God to do everything while we do very little. We should be cooperating with Him, but we want God to operate without the "co."  God promised His disciples that He would work with them through signs and wonders (Mark 16:20).

In the Bible, we note that there seems to be a relationship between what we do and what God does. When we obey Him, we are blessed and when we disobey Him, there are penalties (Isaiah 1:19, 20). When we get close to God, He gets close to us (James 4:8). If we give Him our tithes, He promises extraordinary blessing (Malachi 3:10). He orders our steps, but we have to follow His orders in order to get His benefits. He wants to bring us to an expected end, but we have to accept His will and His way (Jeremiah 29:11). 

God has appointed each of us an assignment to help others, speak kindly to one another and demonstrate God’s love with every opportunity that presents itself.  God wants us get out of the grandstands, leave our comfort zones, and do what the Lord told us to do so that He can do what we cannot do.  We must work His will while we have the opportunity. Let us co-operate with God.

Mark 16:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Isaiah 1:19, 20
New International Version (NIV)
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

James 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Malachi 3:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.



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