Monday, July 28, 2008

God's purpose or mine?

My Utmost For His Highest really ministered to my heart this morning. Currently I am struggling with my voice and have been for about 3 months. As some of you may know I used to sing professionally and for the past 7 years have been singing for the Lord. Well, for the past 3 months I just can't seem to get my voice to work. It is hoarse almost everyday and quite a hindrance in my ministry. Yesterday at church, after attempting our morning rehearsal, I grew weary and stepped down. It was too difficult to push through and I just couldn't hit most of the notes because my voice just wasn't there.


Now that I am entering a new season in my life, going back to teaching, I have been wondering what the Lord has been doing. I have wondered if my voice is the way it is because He wants me to focus on the new path He is leading me on or if it is just allergies??? In any case this devotion reminded me that no matter what is happening good or bad, that God wants me to depend on Him and on His power right now. I don't have to think about what He is doing or what the goal is. If I can stay calm, faithful and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil in life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me.

So may we all enjoy the process of the things that we are facing right now and know without a shadow of a doubt, that God is on the throne, is in control and will enable our step by step obedience if we seek Him and that when we do obey, our God would be smiling down upon us and be glorified!!!!

In Jesus name!!!!
Amen

My Utmost For His Highest Devotion


He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side . . . —Mark 6:45


We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see "Him walking on the sea" with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see "Him walking on the sea" ( Mark 6:49 ). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.


God bless you,

Hugs,

Melanie

6 comments:

Just Me said...

Amen and Amen!

Sonja said...

Hi Melanie,
You are right, just stay focused on Him and you will know in time what is up with your voice and where He really needs you to be.

Unknown said...

Hi Melanie!!!

Wow...it's cool to see what the Lord is doing in your life. He just might be wanting you to be totally focused on Him and also on getting ready to teach the children.

Seasons a changin'.....It's tough to get ready when the seasons change. Kind of like Summer, I always prepare and brace myself for the heat. I do not like heat, never have and never will!!!LOL!!! I love the winter and look forward to it every year. Just like in

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Sorry it's soo long, but I had to share.

God bless you sister!!!
In His Love,
Adrienne

Pauline said...

Amen. I am so pleased that you have totally placed your trust in the Lord.
Hugs.
Pauline

Aimee said...

thanks for sharing. A wonderful morning devotional for me. We all need to remember to bring it back to Him, trust Him. Have a great day!

daysease said...

hang in there as you wait for confirmation as to what God has in store for you. you know that waiting times are often difficult but that they also serve to grow and stretch us into being more like Jesus. May the lord put a touch of healing on your voice and fillyo with His peace and joy in this waiting season. be blessed in Jesus- name...