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