Thoughts for Life: Leave Room for God

Oswald Chambers- "As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him—to give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses.

Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him.(Google image, Looking to God)

The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly—God meets our life ' . . . when it pleased God . . . '

Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides."
From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

Leave Room for God
Max Lucado

When it pleased God . . . Galatians 1:15

Let's pray-

Father, help us learn to make room for You in our lives—to give You some elbow room, to come in as You choose. We plan and figure and predict what will happen, but sometimes we forget to ask You for what Your plan may be. Forgive us.

The truth is that we might very well be surprised if You did come into our meetings and lives in such a way we never would expect. May we start looking for You to show up!
No matter how well we may know You, our greatest lesson is to learn that You may break in at any moment. How You work in unexpected suddenness, will keep us expecting You to meet our needs, in Your way and timing.
We ask for Your guidance to look for You to show up in our situations. May we expect You to choose what's best for when, and how, You'll orchestrate everything to please You, and to be for our benefit.
In Jesus' name, amen.

Today's Bible verses-

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,

so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in
the saints, and [so that you can know and understand]
what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing
greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as
demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God
our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting
consolation and encouragement and well-founded
hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), comfort
and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make
them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every
good work and word.” ~ Ephesians 1:18 (NASB),
Ephesians 1:19 (AMPC), 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
(AMPC)

Today's quotes-

~ Lisa Buffaloe- "Oh, my friend, you are part of something bigger. Your life makes a difference, you were birthed, placed, and given a purpose that makes an impact and plays a part in something amazing. It’s not about now, it’s not about the past, it’s not about perception, or even what is seen with your eyes, you are made for eternity.

And, eternity is alive, living, and real. You are part of something bigger, something beyond imagination, something so wonderful words can’t describe.

Jesus is abundant life, full-joy, hope, peace, and purpose. You are given eternity, a never-rusting treasure, a mansion in paradise, everlasting life without pain, abundant never-ending life. While you are here on this earth, your purpose, every breath you are given, is for a beautiful reason."

~ Samuel Chadwick- "In these days there is no time to pray; but without time, and a lot of it, we shall never learn to pray. It ought to be possible to give God one hour out of twenty-four all to Himself. Anyway, let us make a start in the discipline of training in prayer by setting apart a fixed time every day for the exercise of prayer."

(p. 24 of THE PATH OF PRAYER)

Today's popular post-

Mornings Spent with Jesus

Harris Hlazo- "Man was created to need God. But mankind today in general has not known the true God and His revealed way of living. Man has generally failed, leading to all of the evils and suffering we see around us.

Even those who have tried to live as close to God as they could have done so imperfectly. Yet even if imperfect, the benefits of a relationship with God far exceed anything offered by this world."

Today's question-

What's your identity?

Once we receive the Savior, Jesus Christ, into our lives, after believing that He is God the Father's Son, sent to save us from our sins, we're given a brand new identity from the Father!

No matter what we've done, or what's happened to us, we are new creatures in Christ, and we belong to Him.

5 ways we tend to identify ourselves:

1. What we have

2. Who we are related to, and who loves you

3. How we feel

4. Who we root for

5. What do we do (work, hobbies etc.)

Our own identity shouldn't define who we are. God wants to give us a new identity.

What does God think?

What's His way for us?

It's not about "finding ourselves." When we become Christians, we're to understand that we have been given a new identity by Christ; a separation from our past, and are "called to be saints."

(See 1 Cor. 1:9

Today's sermon spotlight-

DECEMBER 16, 2018