For Me 2!

For Me 2!

Romans 12:12 AMP

[12] constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],

Paul writes to people who are described as brethren, sharing the same faith, experience and sacrifice as Paul. At the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we read the charge that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God as our spiritual act of worship. The man who claims to be fully given over to God cannot have a decisive course of action separate and distinct from the One he claims to be submitted to. I should not be able to successfully juggle competing allegiances at the same time, where I am able to please the world, and also please God at the same time. That is self-deceit, hypocrisy and eye-service, and it will definitely not lead anywhere valuable. If I will be able to align with the verse above, the seed that will lead to the fruit described above has to be right. The first step, therefore, is to clearly define and determine who holds my total allegiance. Is it the Word, or the world? 

Remember, whichever controls my inner content will define my earthly pursuits as well as my eternal reality. A man cannot rejoice in the face of earthly realities unless there is an inner reality that impacts the outer expression of joy that cannot be denied. Joy is not the absence of pressure, as the world has its fair share of pain, but the fruit of the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside a man who is able to rejoice, no matter what is going on around him. He is not defined by the external but liberated by the internal. I am able to rejoice because I have hope of a better tomorrow. I keep my eye on the eternal, whilst depending on the help of God to navigate the earthly successfully. That is why I am able to remain steadfast and patient in distress, because I have the backing and support of the most High God. The human experience may sometimes cause distress, but I can hold up under this because I have the One who births and sustains joy in me. Do you have Him? 

I am also able to be devoted to prayer, which is to constantly seek wisdom, guidance and strength from the right source. I note that there are several pretenders who will offer the things listed above, but I am careful to also note that a man cannot give you that which he does not own or already have. If I truly seek wisdom or strength, who else can give me in great abundance and still have enough for others, but the One called the Wisdom and the Power of God? Who else can supply strength that cannot be limited or explained like the One called the Strength of Israel, or our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble? I pray to the One who is more than able to give me all I want and much more, and I get all that I need for life and Godliness. I have the One who has all I need. No one else can give me what God can give me. Why not seek Him out today, and submit to Him? Your life will never remain the same. God's time of favour is here.