February 5, 2013

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  Jesus is telling us that God is just a knock away; and if we seek God wholeheartedly and ask Him for His wisdom to know Him, we will find and know God's true nature, His plan and His purposes for why He created us. Knowing and understanding who God really is will make us also understand what life is all about. And it's not really about us. It is about our personal relationship with the most powerful Creator of this world.

  God has expectations from His creation. He expects the sun to shine at the right time, expects the moon to shine at a certain time, expects trees, plants and flowers to grow at a certain season, expects each living animal to live and be free to seek for their daily food. He expects us to care for them.

  Above all, God has expectations from the highest form of creation on earth. Us! He puts us on earth to glorify Him.

  "What is the chief end of man?" -- to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Deuteronomy says that God expects His children to glorify Him by being faithful and obedient to Him. Obedience requires God's children to live a certain way. The Book of Leviticus stresses God's expectation that His children will show love for one another as they live in community together. Proverbs says God expects honesty and truth in word and deed. The prophet Amos declared God's expectation for justice and righteousness in all dealings between people. Paul urged Timothy's church to strive for God's expectation of unity and peace. Peter reminded his readers that God expects His children to live by higher moral standards than the rest of the world.

  The Bible says God also expects His children to be thankful, to give Him praise and worship, and to strive for holiness in everything they do, say, or think. Children are expected to honor their parents. Parents are expected to raise their children to know God. Spouses are expected to love each other. And bosses are expected to be just and kind. Ultimately God's expectation of people is for each one to be just like Him.

  God expects His children to follow His will as set out in the Law and the Prophets. To fulfill this expectation God's children need to pray and study the Bible.

  In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said God expected two things from people: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself.

  What does God promise to those who follow His will and way? The Bible says God's promises to His followers are never-ending. Luke says God's followers will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit--both now and for eternity. John says those who follow God's will are granted full forgiveness, a promised resurrection, and an eternal life with God in heaven at the end of time. Isaiah proclaims an everlasting sense of God's presence for those who follow His ways. Jeremiah declares a never-ending knowledge of God  for His followers, and the psalmist promises endless joy to all who keep God's will and way.

  The Bible also says God will provide for those who follow His will. God will give guidance, healing, wisdom and material provision. He will ensure forgiveness, salvation, and victory over temptation. The apostle Paul rejoiced that God promised lasting peace to those who follow His will. God also promises protection and a perfect plan for each individual life that is committed to following His way. But best of all, John promised that those who followed God's will and way would become God's children. Their prayers would always find their way to God's throne, and Jesus would be their big brother.

  God's presence and provision. His plan and protection. His forgiveness and promise of family. Weighty promises all; and all are guaranteed to those who follow God's will and way."

  Excerpts from: 100 answers to 100 questions about God

   

  • 2:45 PM
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