TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS
My attention was drawn to Phil. 2:13 NKJV recently, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” and was greatly blest as I read and meditated on this well known verse. Paul declares GOD IS WORKING IN US RIGHT NOW. The Holy Spirit has the ministry of making us more like Jesus and knowing that we can’t do it on our own HE GIVES US TWO GIFTS,
- A holy desire to please the Lord in everything we do and say.
- He also gives the power to fulfil that desire.
AND IT IS ALL FOR GOD’S PLEASURE.
The PASSION TRANSLATION, expresses it this way.” God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him”.
Speaking personally I need the Lord to be CONTINUALLY REVITALISING ME, even though the desire has been implanted within me, I need to CO-OPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT DAILY, and let Him feed that desire more and more, and this we do by spending quality time in intimate relationship with the Lord in prayer and reading and meditating on His Word.
In this first month of 2022 it is an excellent opportunity to examine our hearts to see if there are distractions that are blunting the edge of our desire. Sometimes the distractions can be so subtle, and not wrong in themselves but can deflect away from what is to be our number one priority in our lives that is to please the Lord.
I just share this simple truth with you today, let us pray the Lord will help us to FOCUS on this and ask the Lord for more of that power to fulfil that desire,
This year would seem to developing into a very significant year, we are sure ever closer to the Lord’s return, for His Church that is to be without “spot or blemish”. Eph. 5:27 KJV That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Let us make Matt. 6:33 the goal of our lives this year.
KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, (THE RULE OF GOD) and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
N.L.T. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
PASSION So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
MESSAGE Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
AMP.N.T But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me;
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me;
His Spirit helping me,
Like Him I’ll be.
