Friday, October 3, 2014

The Will of My Father

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.  Matthew 7:21 Amplified  

Here it is again…doing the will of My Father. You may be wondering …what is the “will” of God? A lot of people struggle with that. The “will of God” or “will of My Father” is used 29 times in the NASB version of the Bible. Here are a few:

-     For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. John 6:40

-     And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

-     For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

-     For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ... For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4,7

So to be in God’s will we need to be repentant and accept Jesus as the Son of God—as our Savior—and to maintain a pure life—sanctified. God expects holiness. 

Will you call out “Lord, Lord” and expect to get into heaven? Expect—but not make it in. How disappointing that will be. Jesus won’t know you unless you know Him. So Jesus says…Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46. Doing what Jesus says is the same as doing the will of God the Father. Jesus listens so closely to His Father—our Father—that He says just what the Father says. Repent, accept, live a holy life.  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to follow Him—to live a life pleasing to His Father. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus—I hear that Heaven is a wonderful place and I look forward to having a banquet there with You. I want to do just what You say…and live a life pleasing to You…and to our Heavenly Father—to do His will. Guide my heart, mind and thoughts—continue to sanctify me that I would live a life of holiness unto the Lord. 

Now may You, our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord, direct our way; and may You, Lord, cause us to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for You; so that You may establish our hearts without blame in holiness before You, our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.  

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
What’s for supper? How many times a day or a week do you hear this?
Menu planning is the key to less stress and better budget control. You only buy what you need…and with no waste you’ll save money.  

Years ago when I took a Chinese cooking class I learned that every meal should have a crunchy, a soft, a spicy and a bland component. Consider dishes that meet nutritional needs, dishes that you enjoy preparing and your family’s favorites.  Start planning for the next seven days.
1.      Check ads to see what is on sale and use those as the basic items for evening meals. Plan your menu using variety: Slow cooker, grill, stir-fry, soup, ethnic, pasta, casserole, salad, quick and easy, pizza, left-overs, and new dish. Check recipes to see that you have all the ingredients necessary—either on your list or on your pantry shelf.
2.      Shop—and be flexible if you find better bargains than were listed in the ads. Use seasonal items. Be sure to pick up staples that you have on your shopping list.
3.      Put food away when you get home. Do your final menu plan considering the items you bought when you shopped and your family’s schedule, i.e. sports practices or games, church events or weekly Bible studies.
4.      Post your menu on your refrigerator so that everyone knows “What’s for Supper.”
5.      As the week progresses, cook up things that can be planned ahead—especially things that can be used for two meals, like roasted chicken and then chicken enchiladas or chicken salad.
6.      Focus on quick and easy meals for the days when you are extra busy.
7.      Once a week use a new recipe…and if it is a hit with your family then add it to your favorites list.
8.      Happy menu planning…and eating!

Happy Okinawa B-day, Lisa-Chan.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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