More Serious Post
If we only knew how much our lives could affect others, I think that we would start this moment with fervor and determination either to bring about this tremendous change by our own power and for our own pride and fame or to seek God to work through us to impact others for His glory and kingdom. One little feeble man or woman may change the course of history if God Almighty is sovereignly using them to fulfill His eternal, unchangeable decrees. When one only looks at himself and sees only weakness and frailty to make positive impact, he is right; but, when one looks to God, strong and mighty, the possibilities are endless. If you can write well, write with passion and zeal for God’s praise, and He shall use your feeble efforts. If you can speak well, speak with passion and zeal for God’s praise, and He shall use you. If you can sing well, sing with all your heart for God’s glory, and He shall use even you. If you can compose music well, compose music with earnestness and devotion to God’s name, and He shall make your music a blessing to His people. Remember, if you are God’s child, that He has redeemed you to be a city upon a hill to light the world and created you in Christ Jesus for good works; and He is able always to keep you from falling and to give you an abundance of faith, boldness, and wisdom. Ask as a child would ask his loving father. Ask, and do not doubt. Ask, and ask for His glory’s sake, and He shall reward you. Yes, you-even you-who are unworthy of such wonderful favor and grace!
For every good and wholesome desire, there can always be an underlying vile, corrupting motive. Guard yourself against these corrupting ulterior motives that lay buried beneath the surface. Seek and destroy these selfish desires by the aid of God. Repent of them! Whenever you have godly and sanctified thoughts, know that sin is present there, lurking around the corner or just below the surface. Hold on tenaciously to that which is good and pure, and loath and detest that which is from the rotten, sin-infested flesh. Always look up for perseverance and never to your own self-determination; it will be God-given determination that is authentic and overcoming. Always think thoughts purposefully and knowing that God sees and cares most importantly what is in your heart. Imagine if others who are not holy could see your thoughts; now, imagine that an all-holy God sees all your thoughts with perfect clarity. If you guard your heart properly, controlling your speech and behavior will be much easier and less filled with hypocrisy. Love the Lord and delight yourself in His exaltation, and life will be sweet, joy will dance with you, and peace will walk with you in the nighttime of your life. There is no greater joy than in knowing and serving the Lord Jesus when that knowledge and service are found in love of Him. If you love Him and trust fully in Him, there is nothing that will be too terrifying or unrewarding for you to do that He calls on you to do.
For every good and wholesome desire, there can always be an underlying vile, corrupting motive. Guard yourself against these corrupting ulterior motives that lay buried beneath the surface. Seek and destroy these selfish desires by the aid of God. Repent of them! Whenever you have godly and sanctified thoughts, know that sin is present there, lurking around the corner or just below the surface. Hold on tenaciously to that which is good and pure, and loath and detest that which is from the rotten, sin-infested flesh. Always look up for perseverance and never to your own self-determination; it will be God-given determination that is authentic and overcoming. Always think thoughts purposefully and knowing that God sees and cares most importantly what is in your heart. Imagine if others who are not holy could see your thoughts; now, imagine that an all-holy God sees all your thoughts with perfect clarity. If you guard your heart properly, controlling your speech and behavior will be much easier and less filled with hypocrisy. Love the Lord and delight yourself in His exaltation, and life will be sweet, joy will dance with you, and peace will walk with you in the nighttime of your life. There is no greater joy than in knowing and serving the Lord Jesus when that knowledge and service are found in love of Him. If you love Him and trust fully in Him, there is nothing that will be too terrifying or unrewarding for you to do that He calls on you to do.