Being Intentional about God's Will - II Chronicles 30-31 and John 18:1-18
Most of us know a lot of God's will for us from reading the Bible and going to church. We know what we should do and what we should not do. However, we need to be intentional about doing what we know is God's will. We are intentional about eating, hygiene, and recreation. We must be intentional about God's will. I am afraid many people only do God's will, if they have time left over from their other activities and if they feel like it. That is not a good way to live.
When Hezekiah had restored the Temple, he decided to keep the Passover celebration, which had not been kept for many years. This was the first thing God commanded the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. They should have been faithful to keep the Passover each year, but they were not intentional about it. Once they did God's will a revival broke out among the people. They were full of joy. They began to do His will in other areas, too. They gave their tithes and offerings, so much that there was more than enough for all of the work of the Lord. It was a wonderful time, because they had been intentional, and God blessed. I believe God will do the same for any individual or group of people who decide to follow His will intentionally.
Jesus was very intentional. After the disciples had the Last Supper in the upper room, Jesus led them to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He knew He would be arrested there and that He would be crucified for our sins, because He knew everything that would happen. He went even though He knew the intense pain. He intentionally gave Himself for you and me. What if He had the philosophy of many believers today? What if He had been too busy to go to the Cross? What if He decided He did not feel like enduring that pain? We would be lost and headed for Hell. Aren't you glad Jesus was intentional about doing the will of the Father? I hope we all can see that He is looking for the same intentionality in us, and He will bless it when He sees it.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 32-33 and John 18:19-40.
When Hezekiah had restored the Temple, he decided to keep the Passover celebration, which had not been kept for many years. This was the first thing God commanded the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. They should have been faithful to keep the Passover each year, but they were not intentional about it. Once they did God's will a revival broke out among the people. They were full of joy. They began to do His will in other areas, too. They gave their tithes and offerings, so much that there was more than enough for all of the work of the Lord. It was a wonderful time, because they had been intentional, and God blessed. I believe God will do the same for any individual or group of people who decide to follow His will intentionally.
Jesus was very intentional. After the disciples had the Last Supper in the upper room, Jesus led them to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He knew He would be arrested there and that He would be crucified for our sins, because He knew everything that would happen. He went even though He knew the intense pain. He intentionally gave Himself for you and me. What if He had the philosophy of many believers today? What if He had been too busy to go to the Cross? What if He decided He did not feel like enduring that pain? We would be lost and headed for Hell. Aren't you glad Jesus was intentional about doing the will of the Father? I hope we all can see that He is looking for the same intentionality in us, and He will bless it when He sees it.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 32-33 and John 18:19-40.