The Rasmussen poll yesterday found that only 31% of Americans headed to vote today
think that America is headed in the right direction. 2 out of 3 of us think that our nation is off track, in need of
some kind of correction. In my circle of friends, the diversity of opinion
about that ‘new’ direction is truly amazing, often completely in contradiction.
That is why we are such a divided country. Today we are blessed with the
privilege of our election process, choosing people for offices from local townships
to the Presidency. What will our national will be in choosing the direction of
these United States of America? In the next 24 hours that will become clear. I pray that my small part will be thoughtful,
with a clear recognition of my highest calling to represent the Kingdom of
heaven.
Are you moving in the right direction spiritually?
That question is so much more important that your political
convictions. As life changes all around
us we cannot simply stand still. If we are not growing, we are losing ground, drawn
away from the purpose of the Lord. The Christian life must include being
intentional about devotion, about confronting temptation, about making the
things of the Lord our daily priority choice. Until the day that Jesus returns
as King or invites us into His Presence at death – our high calling is the pursuit of God. We cannot make the mistake of thinking that
today’s spiritual victory will sustain us tomorrow. God’s people do not ‘retire’ from their
commitment when they reach some moment in time. The process is ongoing.
So, I’ll ask you to consider this question again – are
you moving in the right direction spiritually?
Are you gaining new victories, sharpening your skill in using the gift of the Spirit invested in you, growing in grace and beauty in Jesus?
Are you gaining new victories, sharpening your skill in using the gift of the Spirit invested in you, growing in grace and beauty in Jesus?
Paul reminds us that we are on a life-long adventure. He says "Friends,
don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but
I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off
and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those
of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in
mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred
vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it."
(Philippians 3:13-16, The Message)
Take the wisdom of those words to heart.
First, don’t think you know it all. The race is in progress, so look ahead to the finish line.
Second, pray for clear vision. A hundred distractions will try to divert us from the call of God, many of them not intrinsically evil, but if we make secondary things into primary ones, we will find ourselves far off course. Third, stick with it. Be a finisher, with your hope shaped by the promise of heaven’s reward.
First, don’t think you know it all. The race is in progress, so look ahead to the finish line.
Second, pray for clear vision. A hundred distractions will try to divert us from the call of God, many of them not intrinsically evil, but if we make secondary things into primary ones, we will find ourselves far off course. Third, stick with it. Be a finisher, with your hope shaped by the promise of heaven’s reward.
Here is a word from the Word. May God keep us moving in the
right direction.
"And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. … That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. … You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. … God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it." (Hebrews 3:1, 7-8, 13; 4:1, NLT)
"And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. … That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. … You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. … God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it." (Hebrews 3:1, 7-8, 13; 4:1, NLT)
___________
Fill All My Vision
Fill all my vision
Savior divine
'Til with Thy glory my
Spirit shall shine
Fill all my vision
that all may see
Thy holy image
reflected in me
Fill all my vision
Savior I pray
Let me see only Jesus
today
Though thro' the
valley Thou leadest me
Give me Thy glory and
beauty to see
Fill all my vision
Every desire keep for
Thy glory
My soul inspire with
Thy perfection
Thy holy love flooding
my pathway
With light from above
Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen | Homer A. Hammontree
© 1940 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music
Publishing, Inc.)
CCLI License # 810055
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