Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)
Knowledge of his will
Tomorrow is not promised. Many in the body of Christ say that so much. At times, it may sound biblical, but the truth of the matter is, it is not in the Bible. Many confuse the above verse to speak about death coming to you at any time, but it is not. A look at Col 1:9 adds a piece to the puzzle---
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col 1:9)
Notice that the word, clearly, says with the knowledge of his will. Whose will? The will of God! God's word is God's will! Many, including yours truly, have in the past made our plans. We, even, talk to God in our prayers for the plan of the day. What about God's plan?
In a marriage, a man does not, always, carry out his plans....It makes common sense to consult with his wife and get her mind in the matter. In fact, if a man carries out his plan especially in the financial area without consulting his wife, he is asking for trouble.The same with God. Marriage is a covenant between a man and a wife. Likewise, it is the same with God. We are in covenant with him.
It simply makes good sense to just ask God---Ok, what is your will for me today? The day goes better for us when we do it and we won't have to be out of the will of God. I will take this a little further. God wants to reveal your calling and your purpose in life. (Eph 1:18)
It simply makes good sense to just ask God---Ok, what is your will for me today? The day goes better for us when we do it and we won't have to be out of the will of God. I will take this a little further. God wants to reveal your calling and your purpose in life. (Eph 1:18)
Fulfilling your will and purpose.
Friend, don't ever go through life without fulfilling your purpose and calling in life. It is possible to die before your time. (Ecc 7:17) Make sure that death does not surprise you doing your "own" thing. Make sure you finish the work and purpose assigned to you.
You may reason---Ok, I don't agree. If the Lord wants me to be alive, he will protect me because he is sovereign. Well, look at it this way---You don't get up and say if the Lord wills, he will comb my hair. If the Lord wills, he will brush my teeth. There are some things that are left to you. You have a part to do.
Let me prove my case by sharing the verse below---
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9)
The key word is willing. Not all that God wants will be accomplished on earth? Why? Because people have a part to do in helping God fulfill his will on the earth. In this case, he is not going to violate the human will to force mankind to accept salvation! The same applies to healing, prosperity and long life. Again in Ecc 7:17, there are things that you and I can do to shorten our lives and not accomplish God's calling and assignment. Some will disagree and quote James 4:15. Let's take a good look at that verse---
Friend, don't ever go through life without fulfilling your purpose and calling in life. It is possible to die before your time. (Ecc 7:17) Make sure that death does not surprise you doing your "own" thing. Make sure you finish the work and purpose assigned to you.
You may reason---Ok, I don't agree. If the Lord wants me to be alive, he will protect me because he is sovereign. Well, look at it this way---You don't get up and say if the Lord wills, he will comb my hair. If the Lord wills, he will brush my teeth. There are some things that are left to you. You have a part to do.
Let me prove my case by sharing the verse below---
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9)
The key word is willing. Not all that God wants will be accomplished on earth? Why? Because people have a part to do in helping God fulfill his will on the earth. In this case, he is not going to violate the human will to force mankind to accept salvation! The same applies to healing, prosperity and long life. Again in Ecc 7:17, there are things that you and I can do to shorten our lives and not accomplish God's calling and assignment. Some will disagree and quote James 4:15. Let's take a good look at that verse---
"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
(James 4:15)
Yes, I agree that it does say if God wills, we shall live and do this. James 4:14 says that our lives are a vapor, but let's look at it from the time it was written. These Christians needed to be aware that not all were called to be a businessman (woman). Some were called to be martyrs.
They needed to stand watch to be ready to fulfill their calling as martyrs to give up their lives for Jesus. True, everyone is supposed to give their lives for the Lord, but there are some that God will spare in order to fulfill their calling. That is where the knowledge of God comes in. You need to know where lies your calling and assignment. You need to be sure that you are fulfilling your calling and place in God.
A case in point was Paul. He knew that he was called to be a martyr, but he loved the brethren so much, he asked the Lord for an extension on his life. He went beyond the call of duty and stopped the hand of death in his life. (Read II Tim 4:17, Phil 1:23) Another case in point was the Apostle John. Tradition says that he was tortured and put in a pot of boiling oil. They had tried to kill him but could not. He was exiled in Patmos and when he fulfilled his sentence, he preached until he was in his 80's. (Rev 10:9-11)
Another example is prayer. I was so angered that the Muslims over in Iraq were killing and torturing Christians that I wondered how Satan is taking advantage of robbing many from fulfilling their calling in life.So, I decided to pray for them and dispatched angels on their behalf. After a few days, I rejoiced. Why? Because God had raised up an army of Kurds to face the Muslims for battle. As a result, many Christians were spared and they got to, eventually, come back to their homes. Friends, prayer works!
In America, we don't have people killing Christians, at least, not yet. True, we must be willing to give our lives for the Lord if need be, but I am convinced that through our prayers, things can change. God wants to use us more than we can imagine. So, in this day, don't let the devil rob you from your divine destiny through his lies. Decide to find out where God has called you to and fulfill your assignment. You will be happy you did!
(James 4:15)
Yes, I agree that it does say if God wills, we shall live and do this. James 4:14 says that our lives are a vapor, but let's look at it from the time it was written. These Christians needed to be aware that not all were called to be a businessman (woman). Some were called to be martyrs.
They needed to stand watch to be ready to fulfill their calling as martyrs to give up their lives for Jesus. True, everyone is supposed to give their lives for the Lord, but there are some that God will spare in order to fulfill their calling. That is where the knowledge of God comes in. You need to know where lies your calling and assignment. You need to be sure that you are fulfilling your calling and place in God.
A case in point was Paul. He knew that he was called to be a martyr, but he loved the brethren so much, he asked the Lord for an extension on his life. He went beyond the call of duty and stopped the hand of death in his life. (Read II Tim 4:17, Phil 1:23) Another case in point was the Apostle John. Tradition says that he was tortured and put in a pot of boiling oil. They had tried to kill him but could not. He was exiled in Patmos and when he fulfilled his sentence, he preached until he was in his 80's. (Rev 10:9-11)
Another example is prayer. I was so angered that the Muslims over in Iraq were killing and torturing Christians that I wondered how Satan is taking advantage of robbing many from fulfilling their calling in life.So, I decided to pray for them and dispatched angels on their behalf. After a few days, I rejoiced. Why? Because God had raised up an army of Kurds to face the Muslims for battle. As a result, many Christians were spared and they got to, eventually, come back to their homes. Friends, prayer works!
In America, we don't have people killing Christians, at least, not yet. True, we must be willing to give our lives for the Lord if need be, but I am convinced that through our prayers, things can change. God wants to use us more than we can imagine. So, in this day, don't let the devil rob you from your divine destiny through his lies. Decide to find out where God has called you to and fulfill your assignment. You will be happy you did!
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