IN HARMONY AND IN UNITY WITH GOD’S PLAN (guest post)

There is nobody wants to live in an ordinary or even futile life. In the deep down of their heart, everyone wants to be successful and reach the highest point in their lives. But the reality isn’t always like what we dream of. Many people get success but not least have failed. But there are some people who are in the midst of their great achievement still feel missing something. They have an impression that they supposed could be more optimal than the current life, optimal in a positive impact and to be a blessing to others.

If life is like a train … Whether we are on the right track and the right direction to achieve the goals that God has prepared before??

One of the driving factors for the accomplishment is a PASSION. If our passion IN HARMONY AND IN UNITY WITH GOD’S PLAN, then there is nothing could hold us to live beyond our limitation.

PASSION

As in the image of God’s creation, humans equipped with intellectuality, ability, and talent. It all enables people to do many things in appropriate with capacity and willingness to work hard. But among all that we do, there must be specific things we love, we want, and we dream of. A great desire that come out from the deepest of the heart to do and pursue something, and encourage us to live in, it is called PASSION.

Passion makes us “alive”. Without passion, we would just like a machine who doing something over and over, but without “the life” in it.

Passion gives us energy and strength to do the best, keep focus, and doesn’t give up easily. Passion makes us happy to work with and without compulsion. Passion even makes us willing to sacrifice many things so what we yearn for will come true.

GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLAN

Although some people may not realize what their passion, each person certainly have a passion. So we are. And as God’s children, we also know that God has a special plan for each of His children. The question is whether our passion in harmony with the Father’s plan??

If right now what we are pursued or what we live has been same with the special Father’s plan, it means we are on the right track and in the right direction. But if not, we will have inner turmoil because the spirit within us can be satisfied only when we live in the special plan of our creator! Then how to make our passion in harmony with His plans? What should we do that our in harmony and in unity with God’s special plan?

INTIMACY WITH GOD

From the beginning man was created to live in an intimate fellowship with God. But unfortunately mankind fell into the sin so that must be separated from God and loss of the glory of God: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV)

The only way so that humans restored, go back to the initial quiddity that is live in an intimacy with God!

In this case we already on the right way because we believe in Jesus as the only Lord and Savior. However, although we have opened our heart to Him, God will never pervade us, yet God wants to build an intimate fellowship and fill us with His Holy Spirit. It means there are two persons in this fellowship. That is God and us.

In our fellowship with God, actually we are being changed to become more like Him. The goal is we can live in His fulfillment plan, namely when we were created by Him.

“For we are God’s handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus,  that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us , that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) 

In this process, we need a willingness to surrender and obedience to do His word, including submits our passion under His will.

SURRENDER AND OBEY

Longing of every God’s child is to know the Father and understand His will. But on the other hand, we also have our own dreams and passion that unknowingly sometimes contrary to God’s plan. What I mean of contrary isn’t the meaning of sin, but what we pursue isn’t same with God’s perfect will for us. For example, we really want to become a successful entrepreneur but actually God wants us to take the other profession or the other way.

If our dream and passion is still on our prayer and pondering, let’s learn to surrender it all to the God’s hand and obey His decisions. Isn’t so easy to let go our dream and passion especially when we struggle to achieve it, we have risked many things. We will feel a part of our heart gone. However, please believe me within our surrendering and obedience to God there is always blessing and Glory from God alone. The future that God has created for us is more beautiful than our own plans.

“If God does not allow our plans to be comes true, it means God has provided the better one for us.”

However, if right now we live our life in accordance with our passion and after long time we realized that God calls us to live in other way, it isn’t easy move on instantly. There is a responsibility must be completed. We have to experience consequences. But don’t be afraid and worry because God is able to do anything.

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19 NKJV) 

His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). There is wisdom and favor in Him. So let’s always to living in fear of the Lord and growing in the true knowledge of Him, because: “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 AMP)

To know God is so important. Increasingly we know God’s heart, will be easier for us to believe Him. When our faith is growing, and then will be easier for us to surrender and obey to His will. Further, the Holy Spirit will guide and show us what we have to do.

There will be no vain life process in the Lord. Every single detail of live we have lived, though even it was a mistake, all of that still can be “raw materials” for God to change our future if we are always surrender and obey to Him. Therefore we must be shaped and changed so that we are more and more in harmony with him.

HARMONIZATION

Life with maximum achievement can only be achieved if we live in God’s will. Like a train, the train could only travel at the maximum speed and arrives at the right destination when in the RIGHT TRACK / RAIL and RIGHT DIRECTION. For that we should be harmonized with God.

Harmonization is a process that must be happen in the fellowship with God. We are harmonized with God in all things. We have to harmonize in personality, character, the way of thinking, lifestyle, life goals, priorities, and so on.

More we cling to Him and obey to His word, we will be more in line with Him. The more we know him intimately, and then we will have His heart and mind. So from time to time our passion will be IN HARMONY AND IN UNITY WITH GOD’S PLAN because we have been transformed into more and more like Him.

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

In each process, the Holy Spirit works to change and renewal from the deep of us. Holy Spirit works FROM THE INSIDE of us. Holy Spirit is a helper that gives us strength to surrender, perseverance to be obedient, and courage to walk into the Father’s will. Then like on the right track train and on the right direction, we will reach the goal by goal that God has planned before.

If right now you are currently living in your passion and you know for sure that it is according with God’s will, then perseveres in prayer and still hoping until your dream becomes a reality.

Challenges will always there. But don’t ever give up. God is always being there beside us. There is nothing can stop us.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV)

Keep walk in faith and live in intimacy with God. Always surrender and obey to God, and make sure your passion is always in harmony and in unity with God’s plan.

While doing our part, keep the dream and the passion was still burning. Continue to live in it and do everything in love to the Father. Maybe at first looks nothing special and ordinary, be patient and remain faithful! If it is God’s will, sooner or later will bear fruit!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13 NKJV) 

 

Amen

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Photo Credit: Google Images

Note: Dear readers, just because of Karina still focus on her daddy’s health, so by Karina’s permission this post uploaded be myself (Sella Irene). And for this time comment and like are disabled.

EXPERIENCE GOD PERSONALLY (guest post)

Hello my dear readers, my  guest post this time that written by Sella Irene still talk about “The man of faith”, Abraham. She wrote not just focused to Abraham, but he focus to Abraham’s faithful servant, Eliezer. There is a faith quality comparison between Eliezer with his master, Abraham.  I hope and pray that this guest post will become a blessing to all us.

 

There were some names of Eliezer in the Bible. The one was Eliezer from Damascus,  Abraham’s servant, the elder of his house and entrusted to rule over all that he had (Genesis 24:2). Just because Abraham didn’t have a child then he intended to take Eliezer as his heir, until finally God gave Isaac the biological son of Abraham, who later became a great nation in accordance with God’s plan (Genesis 15:2-5) But Eliezer was a good servant. Though he knew that he no longer become of Abraham’s heir, he was remaining comply and totally devoted to Abraham, his master.

One day Abraham asked Eliezer to finding a wife for Isaac. The story begin when Abraham asked Eliezer to swear: “…….Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, AMONG WHOM I DWELL; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:2-4 NKJV)

Eliezer hold firm his vow and run his task with full of responsibility. He came back with Rebekah, a wife for Isaac. No doubt Eliezer was a faithful servant and trusted servant. But let’s take a look to the other side of him, while looking at ourselves as well.

The detail of Eliezer trip to find a wife for Isaac was written in Genesis 24. We will take a look two things in this passage. The 1st thing is about heart attitude of Eliezer before God. The 2nd thing is about the difference between Abraham and Eliezer in looking to the Promise Land, Canaan.

Let’s have a look to the 1st thing:

BELIEVE BUT DON’T BELIEVE

Eliezer was starting his duty with a prayer for help and special sign from God:  “O LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, please give me success this day……. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14 NKJV)

After God granted his request, this was what he did: Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, “Blessed be THE LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master……”(Genesis 24:26-27 NKJV)

Notice that in every of his prayer Eliezer always said: ”LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM.” Happened the same thing when with full of grateful he told his trip to Rebekah’s family in verse 42: “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, if You will now prosper the way in which I go”  Also in verse 48: “And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed THE LORD GOD OF MY MASTER ABRAHAM, who had led me…….”

Whether Eliezer worshiped God? YES! Is he also recognizes The God’s greatness? YES! But he didn’t really made God as his God personally.

Eliezer lived with Abraham for many years. He saw Abraham didn’t have anything until blessed by God. He also saw how God did many miracles in Abraham’s life: “The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great…..And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old…..” (Genesis 24: 35-36). But every God’s work that he saw didn’t make him recognize God as his own God. Otherwise, (allow me to talk a bit about Ruth) Ruth saw Naomi’s family since they rich until have nothing, but Ruth indeed wholehearted recognized Naomi’s God as her own God: “…..Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16).

Did Eliezer trust to God? YES! Did he trust that the God of Abraham is the mighty God? YES! That is why he prayed. He believed God because he saw how God made miracles in Abraham life. But this time he prayed by himself, not Abraham.

Let’s take a look what Eliezer did after he pray: “And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey PROSPEROUS OR NOT.” (Genesis 24:21 NKJV)  He wasn’t totally believed that God will answer his own prayer. This was an act that wasn’t being in accordance with Faith principles: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24 NKJV)

Like Eliezer, many people follow Jesus but they aren’t earnestly place Jesus as God and they don’t have strong relationship with God. They know God from what others said and from others experiences. They praise the God’s greatness when they hear what God did in others lives. They pray and hope to God when they facing the problems, but they aren’t sure that God surely listening their prayer.

Trusting God’s greatness because of the miracle that has been done to others, isn’t same with when ourselves experiencing God’s miracle personally. Sometimes when we heard or seen the others’ testimony, we become strong and vibrant, but when are facing the problems, we begin to doubt whether God will help us. Why is that? Because we don’t feel the pain, struggles, pressure, and all the emotions that these people feel upon passing the problems. We just heard a victorious end result, without feel the process.

Currently, if there are among us who are experiencing the struggles and are under hard pressure, remember that God is good to all His children. If God is willing and able to help our brothers, believe that God also MUST be willing and able to help us. Still put hope and wait patiently for the Lord

Now let’s have a look to the 2nd thing:

DIDN’T HAVE FAITH LIKE ABRAHAM

Back to Genesis 24:2-4 especially verse 3. Abraham delegated Eliezer with words: “…..that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, AMONG WHOM I DWELL…..“ But Eliezer said to Rebekah’s family: “…..You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, IN WHOSE LAND I DWELL.” (Genesis 24:37 NKJV)

There was a fundamental difference between words of Abraham and Eliezer. Abraham never said that his living land was the Canaanites’s land. He just said that he dwelled among the Canaanites. Abraham had faith that the Canaan land was his land in accordance with God’s promise: “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:8 NKJV). But Eliezer quoted Abraham’s word with his own comprehension. “… The Canaan, IN WHOSE LAND I DWELL.” In the other words, Eliezer considered that the residence of Abraham is the country of Canaanites. In fact it was true. In the real terms the land of Canaan was still owned by the Canaanites. But by faith Abraham believed that the land of Canaan was his because the Lord had spoken to him.

Eliezer already saw how great Abraham’s faith in God so Abraham faithfully did what has commanded by God. Eliezer also saw that God indeed can be trusted and never embarrass those who hope in Him. But all of that didn’t make him had faith like Abraham.

Faith is not built based on the reality, but FAITH IS BUILT BASED ON GOD’S WORD. The fact it is often contrary to our faith. If we put faith the reality, we will be easy to hesitate and falter. Let me share my experience about this.

I once had very bad financial problems. We were worse. Logically, we really didn’t even know how to get out from the problem. We just cried out and asked God for help. We were always strengthened when we heard the sermon. And our hope raised up when we received the God’s promise. But the reality didn’t change at all even there were times our condition getting worst. I admit that sometimes we doubt and worry. But there is no other way beside put hope and trust to God. To whom we hope except to God? Day after day we strengthen our trust to God and learn to hold firm God’s promises to us, while continue knowing God and His ways. Till now, have been many years we went through it all. Right now, I dare to say that God will never disappointing and embarrass those who put hope and trust to God. By His own way God help us. It is not as we imagine, but we believe God’s way is totally perfect. Already proved that until today God always take care, deliver, and help us.

Now, if there are among us who are in the trouble and already praying, serving God, and learn to be faithful… But the God’s answer doesn’t come true and the reality doesn’t change, be patients… Strengthen our heart, and keep trust. Like Abraham, we must direct the eyes of our faith in the God’s word, because the Lord who promised is faithful and trusted. “By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.” (Hebrews 11:11 NET)

Why Abraham truly believe to God, even when everything seems impossible? Because he really knows who is God that he worshiped. We will not know God if we aren’t build a personal fellowship with God. And if we don’t know God, then we will not totally trust Him.

WALKING WITH GOD

It is good become the serve servant, but built an intimacy with God is much better. That is way make Jesus as the one and only God and walk with Him. We have to experience it personally. For that we must live in obedience and willingness to do God’s will, and allows God to be fully involved in every aspect of our lives. Entrusting ourselves to the guidance and God’s decision to choose the ways for us according to His will. Through the experience after experience walk with the Lord, God’s word becomes real and alive in our lives. Let us diligent in prayer and reading God’s word every day so that we know God more and our faith muscles will be stronger. AMEN.

 

 

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Background images: Google Images (edit with pixlr app)