To Be Open To Be Taught from God

To Be Open To Be Taught from God

by David Brenneman 

"“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name,‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’" Jeremiah 33:2-3 NASB 

"“All your sons will be taught by the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great." Isaiah 54:13 NASB 

"Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose." Psalm 25:12 NASB 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;

I will advise you with My eye upon you." Psalm 32:8 NASB 

We live certainly in a world where the thoughts of many threaten to overwhelm the teachings of God.  We get so much information that we often overflow it into electronic technology to keep track of it all. 

Which is by design of the prince of the power of the air.  Satan's best work is on overwhelmed, overworked, oppressed people.  Those who have been beaten down by life, for Believers it's those who have not returned often enough to the well of the Spirit of God to be refreshed. 

We always have only two roads in front of us at all times.  God's plan, His purpose, and our plans and purpose.   

We are so easily deceived by what the world offers because Satan's had centuries to perfect it.  We need to remember Paul's words at the end of his life. Stay the course, run the race, finish well. 

As one once said the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Temptation takes on every NECESSARY form in order to change the course of the river of our lives.  

We who are in Christ Jesus are to be looking for our sanctification in Christ Jesus.  

The Bible says we are set apart for the work of God while here on Earth.  We were placed where we would do the most effective good for the body of Christ by God. Not our own will to be done but rather His to be done in our lives.  

Watching what we say what we think about and what we do.  

When we speak are our words measured, seasoned, as if to lift up God and others?  

When we do what we do, are we pointing people to Jesus or something else?

When we look at what occupies our time, is it pointing to God or to what amounts to idols? 

That opening passage means a lot to me.  When reading my Bible and all the sudden other passages pop into my head, that's of God. 

When I think about others, and begin praying for them, that's of God. 

When going about my day and I can see people differently and it's because of being with God, that too is of God. 

We can so easily be taken in by the temptation to take the easy road. To go to where there little to no conflicts.  To want a life free from stress and strife.  To be honest and up front, we who are living lives in Christ Jesus will suffer. 2 Timothy 3:12 NASB "Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Satan will indeed tempt us in every way to accept a life free of conflict and strife.  But that's not what's in store for Believers. 

We should seek to be taught of God and seek out the sanctification that's His Will for us in Christ Jesus.  

I don't get on corporate bandwagons to live for the company.  I indeed like where I work but that's where it ends.  Anything more is paramount to misplaced worship. 

We can easily be doing things, say things, that unfortunately are encouraging others to worship things of this world.  

I have learned a lot about a lot of things in this life, but it's rubbish next to what the Spirit wants to teach me.  

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  

Point people to Jesus not products or companies.  Everything man-made is flawed. Regardless of branding it's all imperfect. Nothing from diets to vehicles is perfect for everyone.  

We have a singular mission in this life. Point people to Jesus. Live such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  This is going to mean pain and suffering at times.  The Spirit has surgeries to do in us to move us towards sanctification.  We will not be asked by Jesus what we did for mankind. We will be asked about what we did for Him. We won't be graded on company records or reports. But on what deeds we did in the body for Jesus. 

We can indeed be tempted to be taught of the world. As a song says "I'd Rather Have Jesus".

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold

I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than worldly applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
Yes, I'd rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today"

You were given choice because of the cross of Jesus Christ.  Choice is a dangerous thing when not tempered by wisdom.  Knowledge is useless without wisdom.  The only wisdom that's right and true is from God.  

The truths of God’s Word shape lives. Not the words of man.  Not the work of his or her hands. 

The Bible says of itself that it's sharper than any two edged sword.  Able to go places in people that our best thoughts and intentions can go. 

We can't have two masters. God’s Word tells us that too. You live for God or live for the world. 

Becoming more like Christ Jesus is more important than even ourselves.  We moved to where we are today because of the Godly wisdom of being told to go where we would find sanctification.  

Our careers are rubbish in light of sanctification. Our hobbies, our jobs, everything from health to intellect is worthless in light of becoming more like Christ Jesus.  Take up your own cross and follow Me is the command.  You cannot hold onto anything in this life and that cross. That cross will take everything you have and that which the Spirit supplies in order to make it in this life in a God honoring way.

We have to stay true to our identity in Christ Jesus.  Indeed the Disciples were correct in that they left everything to follow Jesus.  That's the plan of God for all who believe.  

What good is anything this world offers if you aren't right with Jesus?  What good is feeling good, what good is well...health, wealth and prosperity?  We can make idols of anything that we set our minds on.  We unknowingly trade our sanctification for things of this world when those things consume our time, energy and effort. 

Jesus commended those who would sit at His feet and just be with Him.   Would you be commended by Jesus for your life in this moment?  Would you be?  Do you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness? Do you do what you do for the glory of God?  Are the words that you speak, the desire of your heart, point to growing in Christ Jesus?