19-01-2020
Some of us are waiting for the best timing, the best opportunities, the best church, the best pastors. You are looking at the wrong direction and situation. There will be many lost opportunities, lost times andost hopes.
We need to reset our lives in the fact that we have entered into a new decade. The things of God are fresh and new every morning. We need to know the sense of His calling for our lives. We need to reset our hearts. God says, "I know the plans that I have for you." There will come courage that arise from this.
1) God knows everything about our lives.
Psalm 147:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
In time, God created the whole universe. God saw that it was good. God knows the stars by name. God knows us even more.
God created and God knows. God understands that challenges that you go through.
God knows you. (Psalm 139)
He is not only almighty in the skies, He is almighty in our lives.
2) God foreknew and God predestined.
Romans 8:28-30 New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
We glorify God. God is in control of lives that are surrender to Him.
God is preparing a crown of righteouessness for those whom He called to His purposes.
John 1:1-5 New International Version (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
Run to the light. Darkness has never overcome light. Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." The light is truth and will show us the days ahead. Going ahead, the Bible says it is going to be tougher, harder and more challenging because the devil is there to create a new Anti-Christ system where sin thrives where right has become wrong and wrong becomes something that we glorify.
Revelation 17:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Chosen, Called, Faithful.
Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings. He will be triumphant. His people will be called, chosen and faithful.
When the blood does not flow to certain parts of our body, there will be problem. Sin comes along and clogs the flow of God into our lives. There may be a time that we suddenly realise how come I cannot control my anger. You have not come to a place of repentance and turn our hearts and attitudes. Repentance is so critical to allow God to flow into all areas in our spiritual lives. Some of us see the giants in front of us. Our focus is on the Goliath. If only we come into a place and say to God that, "The sin that is in me has allowed this giant to be bigger."
A behavioural change in our attitude and thinking is an action but it is not deep.
Repentance is deep.
An example is the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. He came to a point in his life that He recognised his sin. Deep down in his heart, he knew it was wrong. There was deep regret and deep remorse. And he didn't want to remain in that habit, lust, bondage anymore. He didn't want to be a victim of the giant. He returned to the father and there is rejoicing.
In a marriage, when we say the wrong things, there is anger and there is no joy. When there is a reconciliation, there is rejoicing, happiness and restored relationships.
We need to repent of our wicked ways. The Bible is all about the blood of Jesus that cleanses us. It is a continuous cleansing. And it flows and touches and transforms.
In the story of the Prodigal Son, the father saw his son coming and against all traditions, he ran to the son because the son has repented.
Our Heavenly Father does the same for you and I.
There is no spiritual probation. God looks at our hearts. God is waiting for you to respond, to turn, to be sincere, to deal with our lives.
At the beginning of the year, start right with God.
The disciples were already following John the Baptist who was the forerunner.
Jesus came and spoke to them directly. Jesus came and chose them as His apostles.
Some of us follow Korean dramas. Some follow social media and it consumes you. Some follow the corporate ladder. We all follow something.
We need to follow Jesus. "Lord, Your love is so deep, so wide."
Start the year correctly.
We are chosen. But what are we chosen for?
We are chosen to be loved.
We see this in the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was distracted by many things. Mary was with Jesus and something happened in the relationship. She chose to build that relationship.
We are chosen to love.
We are chosen to love one another because the world is not like that.
Colossians 3:12-14 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
If there is unforgiveness, we need to come to a place to forgive. Unforgiveness is a giant that will destroy.
Be an example to love one another. Out of the love of God in our hearts comes our love for one another. God opens the door to love an unbeliever. It allows us to be a channel of God's love.
We are chosen to bear fruit.
John 15:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, conviction, fire and power. He is the one that allows us to bear fruit.
Jesus wants to partner with you and I despite all our handicap and weaknesses.
Luke 5 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
Jesus chose to partner with Simon Peter the fisherman. "Allow Me to use your boat so that I could go a bit further."
Peter was with Jesus for three and a half years. He was able to see the blind see and the sick healed. He could see all that through a simple act of obedience.
Then Jesus told Peter to go a bit deeper and throw the net. And they caught such a large number of fish that the net began to break.
Allow Jesus into your life. Jesus wants that boat. Are we willing to let that boat to be used by Jesus? He wants to show you that He is the Almighty God. Can you be obedient to push that boat out and cast out the net?
Peter was faithful in little things and he was so blessed.
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