Enormous Walls, Unexpected Ways

If you haven’t noticed, God’s instructions don’t always make sense.  Sometimes, we can scratch our heads with wonder, “Did I hear God clearly?”  “Is He REALLY asking me to do this?  “What if the people laugh at me?” Or gossip about me? 

Question: Who are you TRULY trying to please?

       Although our motives can't be seen; God's clearly aware of why we do things?  It's not comforting to have your heart examined by the Holy Spirit.  God's after a holy life; so the Holy Spirit must operate.  He has to keep our hearts pure, so he examines, finds problems, and brings to the cure.  Our prayer and devotional life is vital for it keeps our hearts searched before the Lord.  We go to the doctor or the dentist to have a yearly check-up.  It's not only vital to one's health but it can prevent major issues from spreading or causing death.  So, it's the same with our hearts being examine before the Lord.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Our hearts need to be searched by the Holy Spirit; we can't trust our hearts. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

    It's not always easy to lead; people will question your motives, your thoughts, and your plans.  We can either surrender to defeat or be confident of God's instructions.  Stand confident in God's direction; He has a clear vision of the map.  He's got the whole world.  When we truly desire to please Him; the opinions of others will fade away.  Also, the majority of people's opinions will follow the crowd.  One moment Christ was being praised; three days later He was crucified.  So, if Christ knew what was in the hearts of man, we must be aware. "He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in man." John 2:25

      If we desire to lead; we must be willing to serve others.  Yet, if we desire to please others for only the honor; we got our reward.  Also, we are not a servant of God. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10  Now don't misunderstand what I say here; we serve people.  Christ said,"The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)  Regardless if it’s a secular job or ministry, we will serve people.  The underlining questions:  whose glory are you seeking?  Who do you long to please?  It’s an easy question with our lips with it’s a test of the heart.  Also, it’s completely humbling to our ego.  Ouch!  God’s not worried about your popularity; He wants your obedience.  Being a godly person requires obedience to the voice of God. Moses was called back to Egypt; a place of regret.  Noah was asked to build an ark; he never saw rain.  Joshua was called to walk around the walls of Jericho; he didn't walk once but seven times.  Christ asked Peter to cast his net again; he fished all night without a catch. 

 We can set out to fish with our boat, our knowledge, and our strength but be empty handed because we didn't fish where Christ said.

God will never mislead you!  He will lead us in the path of righteousness for His namesake. (Psalm 23:3)  God’s wisdom is supreme; no man can match it.  You don’t have to defend God’s direction, He will light the way.  We are called to obey His direction; He will defend us.  He will clear show who spoke!  It will silence all the skeptics and doubters.  As you face those enormous walls with unexpected ways-remember no enemy can stand against you because GOD IS FOR YOU! (Romans 8:31)