Divine Appointments
Do you believe in "Divine Appointments?
Do you pray that God will put someone in your path that you can
show the love of Christ? It's one of the best ways I know of to see the
hand of God working in your life and know that you are walking in His will.
Sometimes it will be another Christian, sometimes it will be an unbeliever who
is being led by the Holy Spirit to seek knowledge but rarely do I go out when I
don't have a "divine appointment".
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging
to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light.
 If you are having a desert experience or just having a rough day you'll find
there's nothing more rewarding than having a "divine appointment." All of a sudden the
weight has been lifted from your shoulders and your heart is filled with joy again and if
you're not careful you'll find yourself having another one. Walking in the will of God and
reflecting the love of Christ is an attitude of the heart. When you're praising
God and being thankful for all the blessings He has given you, your attitude,
your smile and joyful heart will give you away every time and others will pick
up on that quickly. I am fortunate to have people in my life who are spirit
filled and always have a smile and a kind word of encouragement
for everyone. I love to be around these people. They lift my spirits and help me
forget my problems and let's face it we all go through times of trouble.
In questioning my joyful friends I've found they
have a successful prayer life and faith that whatever is happening in their
lives it is God who is in the midst of it and they know His love for them will
bring about something good.
Romans 8:28 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.
 The how and why soon became evident to me as I realized those with successful prayer
lives and abounding faith got that way through the study of God's word. They studied how Jesus prayed,
they studied how the apostles prayed, they studied how the Old Testament
prophets gained their faith which God accounted unto them for righteousness. By
knowing the word of God, accepting the truth of what He says and the lessons
that Jesus taught their faith grew. As their faith grew they saw Him work
miracles in their lives which in turn made their faith grow stronger. When we
come to understand that we are truly a chosen people, a royal priesthood called
to declare the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His wonderful
light, then we truly begin our walk of faith.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
 If we want the spirit filled and abundant life promised to Jesus' followers then we
must be willing to take up our cross daily, not just on Sundays, not just when
we are in desperate need but daily. Let's don't overlook the last three words:
"and follow me." In order to follow then we must be willing to let Him lead. To make sure He is always
in the lead we must be in continual and instant prayer. Now don't let me lead you astray, being a
Christian in today's world is no easy task but then again the first century church didn't have it so easy
either. At no time in history were Christians persecuted more, imprisoned,
killed and fed to lions, stoned and whipped. But through the grace of God they held
onto their faith. God was more real to them than He is to today's Christians.
They were filled with the Holy Spirit and knew that this life was nothing
compared to the life God had prepared for them in heaven. Today we are brought
up suppressing the Holy Spirit and don't live with an eternal perspective.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I pray that I have been true to what God has asked me to do and that I have helped someone to
grow in their walk by faith. As the time for Christ return draws nearer and I
see the battle lines being drawn I become more convinced that we, His chosen
people, must take a stand for truth if we are to see others saved from the
father of lies.
In Christ
Bob Goulding © August 2006
Return To:
|
|
