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Be Prepared To Follow

By Steve T. on April 30, 2010

We are often reminded of our need to pray and study God’s Word. These essential disciplines allow us to abide in the presence of God and “hear” when He calls; they are also necessary for strengthening our faith in order to obediently follow where He leads.

God’s Word encourages us that when He calls, He also provides the tools to accomplish our assigned task; “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). And we are comforted that as we respond, we will never be alone; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). But God’s call also carries responsibility. His call says He has made His choice – He has chosen us to take part in His wonderful plan; and, in faith, we must respond.

After delivering many of God’s messages to the people of Israel – calling them to repent and return to the worship of the One True God – the prophet Jeremiah became impatient with God’s timing: “I would speak with You about Your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” (Jeremiah 12:1). Jeremiah complained about how long he had to wait for the wicked to be punished. He was following God and calling others to do the same, but the ungodly seemed to continue living the “good” life. Sounds much like our complaints today. But God’s response wasn’t what Jeremiah was hoping to receive.

Jeremiah 12:5
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”

God told Jeremiah that the situation in Israel was going to get worse in the coming days, and He asked Jeremiah if he was truly ready for the challenge. Jeremiah had been called to be God’s messenger and now was not the time to complain. This was the time to be a soldier and trust with ALL his heart; it was a time to renew his strength and push toward the assigned goal.

Our Heavenly Father dearly loves us and desires an eternity of intimate fellowship. He is a God of great comfort, but He is also our Commanding Officer who challenges us to prepare for the spiritual battles ahead. This world often appears corrupt and unjust, but the conditions of today are preparing us to fight in the trenches of tomorrow. We must trust now more than ever that God chose the right person when He gave us our assignments. He has made His call and promised to provide all the necessary tools at the proper time.

Let’s spend more time worshipping at His feet and loving Him with all our heart. Let’s rely on His strength and trust His understanding. Let’s draw closer to His side and always be prepared to follow.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Free In The Fire

By Steve T. on April 28, 2010

King Nebuchadnezzar had made a large statue of gold and commanded that everyone must worship the statue whenever they heard the royal music – they must worship the statue, or face terrible consequences! “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace” (Daniel 3:6).

Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were determined to live with an uncompromising faith. They believed God’s Word and obeyed His commands: “You shall have no other gods before Me…you shall not bow down to them or worship them” (Exodus 20:3,5). These three young Jewish men took a stand and refused to worship the golden statue. Their devotion to God was greater than their fear of the fire; “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it…But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Nebuchadnezzar was furious and followed through on his threat: “He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace” (Daniel 3:19-20). But when Nebuchadnezzar looked inside the furnace, he was amazed by what he saw.

Daniel 3:25
“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

As they were facing the fire, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saw no chance of escape, but they placed their complete trust in God – a trust which would not falter even if they were burned. But rather than being burned by the fire, these three men were freed from their binding ropes and walked with “a son of the gods,” who many believe is an Old Testament reference to Jesus Christ! (The KJV renders this verse “…like the Son of God.”) In their time of greatest need, God comforted these young men and set them free.

The fires in our life WILL come. The heat will seem intense! But we must not fear, or abandon what we know to be true. Our faith is ALWAYS refined and made stronger by fire; “the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:3). Fire will always teach us to trust more deeply and worship more sincerely. When we really believe this truth, it will become possible to actually rejoice in the face of fire. We can rejoice because we KNOW He is in complete and absolute control of every area of our life – this is true freedom! Let’s walk with a bold faith, knowing our Father is there to comfort and protect us, knowing He will strengthen us and set us free in the fire.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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How To Guard His Deposit

By Steve T. on April 27, 2010

In the message “Guard The Good Deposit” we saw the importance of protecting what God places on our heart. He often gives us moments of Divine intimacy as a taste of the life He desires for us – a life of continual passion for God; a life where all our thoughts, words, and deeds become an act of worship.

As these moments fade, we either take definite steps to follow God’s call, or we allow our heart to slowly drift away. The nature of this world is to pull us from what God desires and cause us to forget He has even called. So how do we really “guard” what God has given and truly accept His invitation to draw near?

Deuteronomy 11:17-20
“Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gate.”

When God called the children of Israel, He knew they would face the same difficulties we face today: “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them” (Deuteronomy 11:16). He said the values of the world must never distract from our primary duty to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

God told His chosen people that the best way to remain near to Him was to remain near to His Word through disciplined reading, teaching, discussing, and applying. When our lives are completely immersed in His Word, the “enticements” of the world lose their power and no longer pull us from God’s path.

But His desire was never for us to stop with outward disciplines. While disciplines are somewhat useful in themselves, the desired end is always for His Word to be written on our heart and for our thoughts to remain with Him all through our day! Only as He is allowed to truly live through us will our lives become a complete sacrifice of worship.

If this is the life we desire, then we must begin with a disciplined approach to God’s Word. We must become immersed in His Word such that His truth becomes a part of every portion of our day. God will soon reward us with a more intimate relationship as His Word becomes written on our heart and our thoughts turn more toward Christ. The world will still try to pull us away, but it will no longer succeed; for we will be walking in His Presence and will have learned how to guard His deposit.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Guard The Good Deposit

By Steve T. on April 27, 2010

In the messages “Covenant of Worship” and “A Broken Covenant” we were encouraged to make a covenant – which we resolve not to break – to worship God with all our heart for the rest of our days. I pray we accept this challenge and make a decision to commit our lives to Him without any reservation.

When God brings us to this point of greater commitment and surrender, we have a wonderful reason to rejoice; but we also have an obligation to protect and nurture what He has planted in our heart. He has called us to draw closer and spend more time in His presence – to join Him in a more intimate and loving relationship – but the enemy is hard at work trying to destroy the change which has begun.

2 Timothy 1:13-14
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

Every so often on our Christian walk, there comes a time of special closeness with God. This closeness may come as the result of a new understanding of His Word where we see His character like never before. It may come during a solitary time of prayer or while worshiping with many other believers; through a powerful speaker or inspirational writing. Each time this occurs, God is depositing a little truth into our life which says: I am the way, draw nearer and follow Me more.

We know when God calls us in this manner. We know His truth! We know He is lighting the only true way, and we honestly desire to follow. But then we’re back at work with deadlines to meet, people to see, or kids to feed. Soon, the busyness of our everyday “normal” life has consumed our thoughts, and God’s deposit has begun to fade – this should not be!

We must establish disciplines which enable us to hear God’s message and then help us keep His message at the forefront of our thoughts all through the day. These disciplines will vary for different people. Some may need to wake up earlier to have a time which is quiet; others may need to change their work habits or the condition of their work environment. But regardless of our hectic pace, we ALL need to simply talk with God more and worship more at His feet. This must become our highest priority.

We cannot allow His gifts to be destroyed or forgotten. We should never allow the frustrations of the past, the pulls of the present or the desires of the future, to steal the gifts entrusted to us today. Let’s make the necessary changes and boldly draw near without hesitation. Let’s praise Him for His gifts, and, “with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us,” guard the good deposit.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Continue To Seek

By Steve T. on April 27, 2010

As Jesus was speaking to a Pharisee named Nicodemus, He said, “no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). He then explained being “born again” as a spiritual birth which occurs when we believe; “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). EVERYONE who will spend eternity in the Presence of God must be born of the Spirit – it is impossible to be a Child of God without being “born again.”

This spiritual birth is part of the New Covenant through faith in Jesus and was revealed over 500 years before Christ through the prophet Ezekiel; “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Paul referred to the spiritual birth as becoming “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), but it is most often referred to simply as being saved; “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

The process of spiritual birth is relatively easy to explain – God reaches down and transforms our heart by the power of His Spirit. However, the exact events which lead to the spiritual birth (and when the birth actually occurs) remain somewhat a mystery. On one hand, God’s Word is very simple and clear; “Whoever believes will be saved.” But understanding what it means to really believe can be difficult. We can talk about submission, obedience, sacrifice, love, or the basic faith of a child, but these will always fall short of an adequate definition of belief.

Only God can save; only He is fit to judge; and He alone can look into the innermost part of our heart and determine true belief. All we can do is seek Him with all our heart…and trust He will be found.

Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Our Salvation was initiated by God when Jesus came to earth and died as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. He chose us for an intimate and eternal relationship when His Holy Spirit began to call us near. And, if we will but answer the call and begin to seek His face, He will be found. In an instant, which He alone determines according to His perfect timing, He will transform our heart and adopt us as His Child.

We may not be able to explain or even fully understand true belief, but if there is any call of God on our heart we CAN ask, seek, and knock. God never hides nor runs away; “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). He is waiting for us to reach out and call on His Name. Today, let’s trust He will be found as we give Him all our heart and continue to seek.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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A Broken Covenant

By Steve T. on April 21, 2010

In the message “A Covenant of Worship” we were encouraged to make a covenant to love the Lord and worship Him with all our heart. This covenant must be viewed as a pledge or binding agreement which directs all our actions. God gives many examples of covenants in His Word, and no where does He allow for a covenant with half-hearted commitment.

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. He promised special blessings if they would set themselves apart and worship Him with all their heart. But the people failed to honor their commitment – they worshiped other gods and disregarded His commands.

After several hundred years of willful disobedience, God sent the prophet Hosea to remind the Israelites of the pledge they once made and to reveal their unfaithfulness.

Hosea 6:6-7
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Like Adam, they have broken the covenant – they were unfaithful to Me.”

Hosea was able to deliver this message with great passion because he understood the pain of unfaithfulness. God had called Hosea to marry a woman who, though she made a covenant of marriage, left him to live as an adulteress with another man. Hosea could literally cry to his Israelite Brothers of the hurt they were causing God with their spiritual adultery; he fully knew how it felt when the one you love turns away to love another.

The covenant we make with our Heavenly Father must not be taken lightly. He loves us dearly and gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sin. And to those who believe He has given His Spirit, “with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). God is committed to this covenant and, though He forgives us when we fall short, He expects and deserves commitment in return.

When we turn from sin and believe Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, He promises forgiveness, and we promise to trust and follow where He leads. He promises a clean heart; we promise our heart will always be His. He promises eternity in His presence; we promise to worship Him with every breath!

Have we truly entered into a covenant relationship with the Living God? And if so, are we being faithful to this covenant? Are we seeking His direction, or are we following our own path and our own desires? We must commit to love, honor, cherish…and follow, until the end of this life brings us fully into His presence. Let’s remain faithful and true to our promises. Let’s renew our commitment to obedience and worship, and refuse to come to the end of this journey with a broken covenant.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Covenant of Worship

By Steve T. on April 21, 2010

In the message “An Unknown God” we were encouraged to live a life of sincere love and faithful service while we worship a God we truly know and adore. But this type of consistent life, where our daily activities match what we profess to believe, does not come easy or initially feel natural. Living such a life requires a firm commitment and a determined perseverance.

King Asa was the great-grandson of Solomon and led the southern kingdom of Judah about 900 years before Christ. He began his reign with ten years of peace because he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). Asa took definite action to remove the idols and places of false worship from the country and commanded his people to “seek the Lord and to obey His commands” (2 Chronicles 14:4).

When Judah was invaded by a foreign army, Asa realized he was greatly outnumbered with little hope of victory. As he went into battle, his faith was strengthened while calling on God: “Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You” (2 Chronicles 14:11).

After God granted them victory on the battlefield, the people gathered in Jerusalem to solidify their commitment by making a covenant to follow God.

2 Chronicles 15:12,15
“They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them.”

Every child of God has a deep hunger for a more committed life. Once we have answered God’s call and begun our journey with Him, we will not be at peace until His praise fills every area of our life. But this requires we establish priorities which allow us to actually spend time getting to know Him – His ways and His love.

Our Heavenly Father longs for us to abide in His presence; He rejoices when He is found by those who seek Him in a committed life of worship. He even promises to help those who begin down a committed path; “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Our time on this earth is very, very short. Let’s not waste another day by aimlessly wandering through life, allowing the concerns of this world to choke off our relationship with God. Let’s live with purpose and eagerly commit to seek Him with all our heart and soul – to seek Him “wholeheartedly.” Let’s make the decision today to enter into an eternal covenant of worship.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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An Unknown God

By Steve T. on April 19, 2010

When Paul was on his second missionary journey he came to the city of Athens which was inhabited by people who loved to worship, and talk about their worship. They worshipped every conceivable god of their day and made sure no god was left out.

Acts 17:22-23
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.'”

The people in Athens worshipped gods like Zeus, Hermes, and Diana. And to ensure they did not overlook any god, they also gave their worship to a god they did not know.

Today, many of us go through our life worshipping such gods as Pleasure, Leisure, Entertainment, Security, Power, and Wealth. Then, usually with much less intensity and commitment, we “worship” the Creator of the Universe. But our worship often becomes something we schedule and not something we live. We take part in religious activity, but have no idea how to make the Almighty God an integral part of our everyday life. We attend church services, but never give a thought to actually loving God or asking Him for guidance and direction. We go through the motions of worship, but our hearts are cold and far from the One True God.

We ALL must examine what we believe, and then live a life consistent with that belief. Many people profess belief in God – even the God of the Bible – but have no idea what this belief means or Who they really believe. They believe and then attempt to worship a God they do not know. If Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins, was resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession on our behalf – if He will one day return and take us to be with Him for all eternity – then He certainly deserves more than our casual worship and the left-overs of our time.

Our Heavenly Father has been calling us back to an intimate fellowship ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden; and His message has remained the same: “Enjoy My creation, but give Me ALL your heart.” He must be given sole possession, without any competition. The true Creator of the Universe will never accept just being one of our many “gods.”

Let’s proclaim the absolute and unchanging truth and encourage one another to “wholeheartedly obey the form of teaching to which you were entrusted” (Romans 6:17). Let’s resolve to live a consistent life – a life of sincere love and faithful service – a life which no longer worships an unknown God.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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A Darkened Heart

By Steve T. on April 17, 2010

When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, the people of Jerusalem had been living in sin for a very long time. It had been 300 years since the kingdom of Israel divided; and, despite God’s patient warnings, the people continued to rebel and worship other gods.

God finally told Jeremiah He would no longer endure this continued rejection; “I have withdrawn My blessing, My love and My pity from this people” (Jeremiah 16:5). God also said that because of the many years of rebellion, destruction was now certain; “I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness” (Jeremiah 16:9). He then told Jeremiah how to respond to the inevitable cries and complaints.

Jeremiah 16:10-12
“When you tell these people all this and they ask you, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the Lord our God?’ then say to them, ‘It is because your fathers forsook Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook Me and did not keep My law. But you have behaved more wickedly than your fathers.'”

This is a difficult message. God is characterized by extreme grace and patient love…but He has His limits. He will not tolerate continual disobedience. If we claim to be a child of God we must deal with the very real issue of sin. God hates sin because it causes separation from those He loves.

Continual and unrepented sin causes us to lose the ability to recognize our sin. It becomes a cancer which causes our heart to turn cold and dark, unable to even hear the conviction of the Holy Spirit; “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21). Sin clouds our vision and causes us to drift further and further from God’s path.

The people of Jerusalem could no longer recognize their sin – they stood before God in their wickedness and boldly asked: “What wrong have we done?” Today, we are at risk of becoming equally darkened anytime we fail to address the sin which continues to push into our lives. What activities have we begun to tolerate? What behaviors have we begun to accept? What “teachings” from the modern media have we begun to receive? What sin has begun to fill our heart?

If our eyes were truly opened, would we be surprised to see how far we’ve compromised and strayed? Let’s recommit our lives to holiness, purity, worship, and absolute love for God. Let’s allow His light to indwell EVERY area of our life. Let’s repent of our sin and refuse to live with a darkened heart.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Who Taught Us To Walk

By Steve T. on April 16, 2010

In the message “Finish The Race” we were encouraged to “run” toward the finish line; but we were also reminded that God’s race takes place within our heart as we learn to trust and love Him more and more. His race is not in what we do but in who we are, and who we are becoming, as we do ALL to bring Him glory and honor. One of the biggest stumbling blocks which keeps us from running a “successful” race is the complacency caused by forgetting what God has already done in our life.

Not everyone’s circumstances are what they might prefer, but each of us are on a wonderful journey which began when God sent His Spirit to open our eyes to the truth and called us to be with Him for all eternity through faith in His Son. Our beginning ought to be a clear indication of God’s miraculous grace and Guiding Hand. But as we look back on our journey, we recognize some of the miracles which brought us to where we are today; but many miracles we fail to acknowledge or understand…and most we have simply forgotten.

God’s children have always had a hard time with recognizing and remembering. The northern kingdom of Israel had been in rebellion for almost two hundred years when God called Hosea to be a prophet. The people had created their own form of worship and had long forgotten how much God loved them and how much He had already done to guide and protect.

Hosea 11:3-4
“It was I {God} who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.”

In this passage, Ephraim refers to the nation of Israel. God was reminding the people how He provided for all their needs as He led them out of Egyptian slavery, into the promised land of Canaan. But this passage is very applicable to each of us today. Whether we see His Hand or not, God has been at work guiding us in many different ways.

None of us are at our final destination, but each of us are where we are because God loves us dearly and wants to draw us ever closer to Himself. Let’s not create our own form of worship where we give Him the leftovers of our heart. He created us, saved us, and brought us to where we are today – He deserves our ALL.

We must turn our eyes back to God and praise Him for His continuous provision and His loving promise to finish the work He has begun in our life; “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Let’s praise Him for His Guiding Hand, and, as we run, let’s always remember it was God who taught us to walk.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Finish The Race

By Steve T. on April 14, 2010

Paul was returning to Jerusalem at the end of his third and final missionary journey. By this time in his ministry, Paul had been a Christian for nearly twenty years. Twenty years since Jesus called Paul, “My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Twenty years of faithful service, and now… “In every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me” (Acts 20:23).

Paul was returning home, but his life was not going to be easy. He knew there were many trials ahead, but his life had a purpose far beyond his immediate surroundings.

Acts 20:24
“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

It was several more years before Paul wrote; “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12); yet here, when facing certain hardship, Paul showed he had already learned the secret. The particular circumstances in Paul’s life had become of minor importance. He knew his contentment was not based on current events, but on bringing glory and honor to God. His life had a wonderful purpose even in the face of great adversity and harsh conditions.

We were all created for the same purpose as Paul – we were created to bring glory and honor to God! Our specific tasks may differ and change from time to time, but we each have the same unchanging purpose. Everything we do, say, and think should bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father!

God’s race is run in the deepest part of our heart, not in the flurry of activity. Running well is not defined by doing more; rather, we run a “successful” race as we do every little task we are given with the complete and absolute devotion of our heart.

His race is long and often difficult. There are many distractions which seek to slow us down and even pull us from the track; and at times we may even wonder why we’re running. But being a participant in God’s eternal race is infinitely more rewarding than standing on the sidelines and simply watching! He has called us to run – and to run well!!

We must run the path God places before us with all the strength He provides, and within the sure and calming protection of His grace. Let’s run with the motivation of bringing Him glory and honor by loving Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let’s continue to run well, and with a burning desire to finish the race.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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According To Your Will

By Steve T. on April 12, 2010

On the night before He was crucified, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. The thought of what would take place in the next 24 hours caused Jesus to be deeply troubled; “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34).

Being fully God, Jesus knew exactly what was about to take place and exactly why it had to occur. But being fully Man, the foreknowledge of the rejection, physical pain, and spiritual separation from the Father was nearly unbearable.

Mark 14:36
“‘Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.'”

Jesus cried out and asked for the plan to be changed; and yet, His greater desire was for the Father’s will to be done. Earlier in His ministry, Jesus taught us this same principle; “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven'” (Matthew 6:9-10). Even with an absolute understanding of what He must endure, Jesus’ sole desire was to glorify the Father by walking the path placed before Him; “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do” (John 17:4).

This is the example we ought to follow all through our life; we should present ourselves to the Father, fully prepared to serve, and be completely emptied of our own desires. When we have allowed Him to be the only possessor of our heart, He will fill us with His Spirit and accomplish His perfect will through our life. When our life is ordered and directed only by His will, we will receive blessings from above which bring far greater joy than the fulfillment of ANY flesh-directed desire.

This is one of the mysterious “secrets” of the Christian walk. We were created to be in fellowship with God – to glorify Him and enjoy His presence for all eternity. We may spend a lifetime chasing what we believe will bring us a sense of fulfillment, but we will never be truly content until we rest in His arms and submit to His ways.

What cup have we been given to drink? What seemingly unbearable burden have we been given to carry? Have we been asking, even demanding, that the burdens be taken from us, or are we yielding to the Father’s will and being determined to glorify Him in all we do? Let’s come to His table ready and willing to serve; but let’s also come with complete submission to His perfect plan. Only in this can we fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Heavenly Father, we give our life fully into Your hands; let it unfold, not by our plans, goals or desires, but according to Your will.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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