Part two of a 3 part letter. If you have not read part one you may want to start there first.
Fourth: My life is not my own. “You are
not your own for you were bought and paid for at a price.” (1 Corinthians
6:19a-20b) When I gave my life to Christ, The Holy Spirit took up residence in
my body and “it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.”(Galatians
2:20) I am to die to sin everyday and allow the Holy Spirit to fill me and
control my life. “Be not drunk with wine, which is dissipation, but be filled
with the Holy Spirit.”(Ephesians 5:18)
If I allow my flesh to control me then what I get is the same old man
that was around before I was saved. But I desire the fruits of the spirit to
control my actions and not the fruits of my flesh. They are “Love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”(Galatians 5:22) They can only exist if
I willing yield myself to the control of the Spirit each day. (Oh and by the
way, the Spirit is not a thing. It is God himself and He has taken up residence
in this earthly tent called my body!)
Fifth: Our main goal in
life is to bring Glory to the Father. Life is not about what you own, who you
know, who knows you, what you are called, where you have been, what you have
accomplished, or any of those things. Life is about knowing the Savior of the
Universe and allowing Him, through the Holy Spirit, to take control of every
facet of your life. When people think of you they should not think of how good
or bad a person you are, what you look like, how you dress, what you say, where
you went to school, and how ugly your children are. They should look at you and
glorify your God in heaven. They see Jesus in you when you talk, when you act,
when you interact with other people. How does Jesus act? “But when he saw the
multitudes he was moved with compassion, because they were weary and scattered
like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Do people see Jesus in you? They can
if you allow the Spirit of the Living God to fill you daily and direct your
paths.
Sixth: “Don‘t
worry, be happy” is how the song puts it but the Word of God says it much
better. “Be anxious for nothing.” (Phil 4:6) Also: “Trust in the Lord with all
your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) You,
perhaps more than most people your age, know that God has been active in your
life. You have seen His hand in your selection for college, in your assignment
to Ft. Carson to your brothers battalion, the helicopter He sent you to ferry
you to Baghdad and back, and your deliverance from IED’s (Improvised explosive devices), snipers,
and assorted other enemy attacks . These are signposts or markers in your life
that show you how intimately your heavenly father knows you and cares for you.
God is not so busy taking care of the universe that He is not with you at all times.
“For He Himself has said: ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”(Hebrews
13:5) Whenever you wonder if God is looking out for you just remember these
markers. They tell you that He takes a personal interest in His adopted son
(that’s you). He has watched over you in the past, He is watching over you now,
and He is going to continue looking after you in the future. He cares about you
personally. I remember the first Bible verse I helped you memorize as a 4 year
old in Michigan. Do you? “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.”
(1 Peter 5:7) And don’t forget this one either: “’the Lord knows those who are His,’”
(2 Timothy 2:19b)
Seventh:
Pray! Pray in the morning when you rise. Pray when you sit down to eat. Pray
when you need help in making a decision. Pray before you go out on a mission. Pray while riding down the road.
Pray when you come back from a mission.
Pray when someone you know is sick, in trouble, in danger, or just needs
encouragement. Pray for your family, friends, coworkers, and yes, pray for your
enemies. Pray when you have some time alone to talk with God about what is
going on in your life. (He knows it all but He wants you to know Him and to
lean on Him.) Pray without ceasing every waking hour of the day and then pray
before you put you head on the pillow for some well deserved sleep. “the
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”(James 5:16) Jesus
commanded us to pray. He modeled to us how often to pray and how fervently to
pray. He prayed for specific things, such as: “let this cup pass from Me.”
(Matthew 26:39) but always he prayed that the will of the Father be
accomplished. Then He accepted the answer that His Father gave him. (Read point
two again.) There is no such thing as unanswered prayer! God will answer. He
may not answer as fast as you would like and He may say no, but He will answer.
“You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2) “Most assuredly, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you.”(John 16:23) Furthermore, He always gives more than
you ask for and definitely more than you deserve. “Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:29)
PRAY:
1. Lord, fill me with Your Holy
Spirit today! Guide and direct my words, my thoughts, and my actions today. Let
You be seen by how I live my life with You in control.
2. Lord help others to see
Jesus in me. Let me be a witness for You in my home, in my school, in my work,
and in my neighborhood.
3. Lord help me to be more
faithful as a prayer warrior for You and Your kingdom. Bring people to my mind that
I may intercede for them today.
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