Author - Jauhmar Ellick McAllister
Have you ever thought about what you are supposed to be doing while you are here on earth? I know I do. Like, why am I here? What purpose do I have here on this floating rock we call home? Honestly, I still don't know. Do you? Over these past couple of weeks, I've been stretched out of my comfort zone and most definitely challenged. I wonder and ask God, "What's my purpose, why am I here?" Now, to let y'all know, this is no boohoo moment. It's a serious question. I believe most of us walk around acting like we know what we are supposed to do as followers of Jesus. But we really don't.
Scripture says we are supposed to support one another (Hebrews 13:16), serve each other (1 Peter 4:10), and, most importantly, love (John 13:34). How difficult is that? I fall in line with impossible on a scale of one to impossible.
We've been learning that nothing about us is good. NOTHING AT ALL!!! That surprises me. How can I be all bad when I know what it means to be good? You don't have to be a Christian to know right from wrong. Some people don't believe a lick about the Bible but are still doing "good." But there's a difference between "Godly Good" and "Worldly Good."
Since we were kids, we had to be told what not to do. "Don't touch the stove when it's hot, don't stay out past your curfew, don't be out here doing things you know you're not supposed to be doing." And why is that? Because, in essence, we are bad, we are evil, but at the same time, I think we have some good in us, too. Think about it: before you were a Christian (even if you aren't), think about the time you did something good, like holding the door open for people and volunteering at a homeless shelter handing out food. There's good in that. But it's all worldly. It's something that we did/do to make us feel good, to get recognition for our accomplishments. "Godly good" is something a tad bit different. This type of goodness comes from the power of The Holy Spirit. It's a heart posture change because you aren't doing it for your recognition but to glorify God. Jesus said, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." It's an entirely different outlook on life when you glance at it from this angle.
Fruits of The Holy Spirit are produced every time we do something the LORD wants us to do. Jesus said," I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." We need to be like Jesus in the sense that we don't do anything unless our Father in heaven tells us to. It's not about what makes us FEEL GOOD, but what makes others feel at home.
What kind of fruit are you producing, the fruits of the soul and flesh, equivalent to some candy, empty calories? Or is it the fruit of the Spirit, where when someone takes a bite, they taste the goodness and juiciness of what God has done?
So again, I ask you, what's your purpose here on earth? Why did God Almighty place you here? It's not to glorify yourself and make you feel and look good. NO! We are here to love God and spread His glory in every way possible. Let Him use you to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
If you didn't think there was goodness in you before, there definitely is now. As Christians, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. Tap into Him. Let Him guide you into doing the impossible. And as for those of you who are unbelievers or have fallen away from the faith, your Creator loves you. He has a plan for you. So come home, have that childlike faith again, and trust that God Almighty will lead you into all goodness, not harm.
PROMISE OF THE WEEK
Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you so that you will always be with me where I am. - John 14:1-3
Have you ever thought about what you are supposed to be doing while you are here on earth? I know I do. Like, why am I here? What purpose do I have here on this floating rock we call home? Honestly, I still don't know. Do you? Over these past couple of weeks, I've been stretched out of my comfort zone and most definitely challenged. I wonder and ask God, "What's my purpose, why am I here?" Now, to let y'all know, this is no boohoo moment. It's a serious question. I believe most of us walk around acting like we know what we are supposed to do as followers of Jesus. But we really don't.
Scripture says we are supposed to support one another (Hebrews 13:16), serve each other (1 Peter 4:10), and, most importantly, love (John 13:34). How difficult is that? I fall in line with impossible on a scale of one to impossible.
We've been learning that nothing about us is good. NOTHING AT ALL!!! That surprises me. How can I be all bad when I know what it means to be good? You don't have to be a Christian to know right from wrong. Some people don't believe a lick about the Bible but are still doing "good." But there's a difference between "Godly Good" and "Worldly Good."
Since we were kids, we had to be told what not to do. "Don't touch the stove when it's hot, don't stay out past your curfew, don't be out here doing things you know you're not supposed to be doing." And why is that? Because, in essence, we are bad, we are evil, but at the same time, I think we have some good in us, too. Think about it: before you were a Christian (even if you aren't), think about the time you did something good, like holding the door open for people and volunteering at a homeless shelter handing out food. There's good in that. But it's all worldly. It's something that we did/do to make us feel good, to get recognition for our accomplishments. "Godly good" is something a tad bit different. This type of goodness comes from the power of The Holy Spirit. It's a heart posture change because you aren't doing it for your recognition but to glorify God. Jesus said, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." It's an entirely different outlook on life when you glance at it from this angle.
Fruits of The Holy Spirit are produced every time we do something the LORD wants us to do. Jesus said," I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." We need to be like Jesus in the sense that we don't do anything unless our Father in heaven tells us to. It's not about what makes us FEEL GOOD, but what makes others feel at home.
What kind of fruit are you producing, the fruits of the soul and flesh, equivalent to some candy, empty calories? Or is it the fruit of the Spirit, where when someone takes a bite, they taste the goodness and juiciness of what God has done?
So again, I ask you, what's your purpose here on earth? Why did God Almighty place you here? It's not to glorify yourself and make you feel and look good. NO! We are here to love God and spread His glory in every way possible. Let Him use you to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
If you didn't think there was goodness in you before, there definitely is now. As Christians, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. Tap into Him. Let Him guide you into doing the impossible. And as for those of you who are unbelievers or have fallen away from the faith, your Creator loves you. He has a plan for you. So come home, have that childlike faith again, and trust that God Almighty will lead you into all goodness, not harm.
PROMISE OF THE WEEK
Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you so that you will always be with me where I am. - John 14:1-3
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