Posted:
Based on “Under His Influence – The Design” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/1-2/09,
Message #MB383;
Daily Devotional #2 - “Are You?”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Under His Influence. Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19) You may say, “Well that was Jesus. How are we supposed to know what God is doing all the time?”
That is a good question, how do we know?
Well today God reveals His will for us (what He is doing) through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church. Our daily quiet time with the Lord is immensely important for knowing and doing God's will. God speaks to us through our relationship with Him. Jesus was under the influence of His Father. He would pray and seek the Father's will. (Luke 6:12)
He knew that it is through their relationship that God spoke.
We need to be in the Bible, praying and listening to know His will. If we do not spend time with Him, there will be a huge problem in the relationship department. If we do not seek His will, we will not find it. (James 4:1-3, Matthew 7:7-8)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): When we seek Him, He will reveal Himself to us. Then when we are following the leading of God the Holy Spirit, we are completely dependent upon Him. We need His guidance, His wisdom, and His strength. As we are under His influence He will guide us into places where we cannot accomplish anything apart from Him.
Remember what Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
You see, He will get the credit, if what He does through us is something we cannot accomplish on our own. Then we will see what our great and awesome God can do through us when we are under His influence. On our own we can accomplish nothing of eternal value, but with God working in and through us nothing is impossible.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Take a few moments today and think about who God is. Think about what He has done in the past, the miracles that are recorded in the Bible.
Then think about how that very same God is living in you today.
He has not and will not change. Nothing was impossible for Him in the past. Nothing is impossible for Him today. Give Him the reins of your life today and let Him guide your actions. Believe, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
You see, God wants to affect those with whom you come into contact. Pray and ask God to reveal to you what He is doing, so you can join Him in His work. What is He doing? It will be the same as it has been in the past. He will be making Himself known to men and women in order to have a relationship with them.
"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:25-26) Let God be visible in your life!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 3:14-21, Acts 2:42-47
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