STXWM Blog // In Grip of Grace
New Year // New Me
Thursday, January 27th, 2022
“Being About the Father’s Business”
2022 life is starting to get underway and we are already at the end of January. The kids are back in school and life is back in full swing. You have renewed your vision and purpose, and you want to be about what you were created for.
Before you jump headlong into the deep waters of kingdom purpose, listen to what God told King Solomon when he was in the midst of building the long-awaited temple. “The word of God came to Solomon saying, ‘About this Temple you are building—what’s important is that you live the way I’ve set out for you and do what I tell you, following my instructions carefully and obediently. Then I’ll complete in you the promise I made to David your father. I’ll personally take up my residence among the Israelites—I won’t desert my people Israel.’” (1 Kings 6:11-13 MSG)
This is a classic ‘if-then’ scenario. God told Solomon (and I believe is also telling us) what is really important. Break it down, and this is what we see:
If you will:
~ Live right
~ Do what God says
~ Carefully and obediently follow His instructions
Then God will:
~ Complete in you what He has already promised
~ Live with you
~ Never abandon you
How do you walk that out in everyday life? You can start by asking yourself a few questions before you take a step.
* Am I living right? (If not, repent where you have gotten off track and get back in God’s Will immediately in that area; don’t wait another minute)
* Is what I’m about to do, truly my job (in other words, has God spoken to you and asked you to accomplish something, or has he given you an important task or job to carry out)?
* Am I meticulously following God’s directions and in complete obedience to His Will?
And how will you know if you’re fulfilling God’s call on your life? Begin by asking yourself a few more questions to evaluate your spiritual health.
* Do I sense that God continues to complete His work in my life (in other words, am I growing in grace, learning day by day and sensing His presence, joy and peace in my life more than not)?
* Do I feel as if I am living life alongside my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
* Am I convinced that God is always with me in every moment and that He has never left me and will never, ever leave me (even for a moment)?
We’re only here on this earth for a short while. Resolve to make each and every moment count for the kingdom. What was it that Jesus referenced from the Old Testament when He spoke to the Pharisees?
Matthew 2:37b-40 (NLT)
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Living right and following God’s call means ‘living loved’ every day, in every situation and with every person you encounter.
Everything. hinges. on. L O V E.