Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Philippians 2:12-13, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
We may live for years having desires to spend time with the Lord in a regular way.
We may experience these desires to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon our spiritual situation.
Nevertheless, we may not be aware of the fact that the very existence of these desires stirring within us is God operating in us.
God works in your will to incline you to spend time with Him.
He operates to that extent.
But He does not take us over, obliterating our faculties and human responsibility and forcing us to spend time with Him.
He works in us to a point.
Then it is up to us to take the initiative to follow through by cooperating with His worked-in inclinations and desires.
In other words, God’s part is to supply the desire and the inclination to be with Him.
Our part is to find a private place, set the alarm clock, rise up from our bed, wash our face, get our Bible, hymnal, and other spiritual books, and begin to wait upon the Lord by reading, praying, singing, or just quietly being in His presence to enjoy Him and behold Him.
We need to realize that our desires to be with the Lord are God Himself.
It is not just you.
It is not just your desire.
It is not merely your own thought that you should spend time with the Lord.
It is God!
God is in your desire!
God is in your inclination!
God is in your thought!
Now you must work out what God has worked in.
Just go along with that still small voice, that slight sensation that you should withdraw yourself to pray and spend time with Him.
If you obey those small nudges, you are obeying God operating within you.
This stirring within is GRACE – the desire and power to do God’s Will.
Pray grace for yourself and others and watch God work in them to seek Him.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Marynell Ford and Family
Junior Stephens
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Andrew Halevi & Daughter
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison – Riverside
Deanna Fowler
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Drew
Easton Fielder
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Miles Bradshaw
Nora Allison
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Susan & Alexis Tesone
Susan Mosley
Tom Witcher