Live 2024 With The Purpose Of Doing The Lord's Will
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So the question I want to focus on today is, how can we make the most of 2024?
Lets begin by going to Ephesians Chapter 5
ESV
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
NIV
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
The way you make the most of 2024 is by first understanding God’s will and then doing it.
Doing anything else is just foolishness.
Can we know God’s will? If so how?
The main way of knowing the will of God is by looking to his revealed will in his Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Amplified Classic
16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God’s Word is always the foundation for us to know the will of God. We look to the Word to know his will but we are also to pursue his will through faith and actions, meaning we believe it and act on it with the purpose of his will being manifested in our lives and the lives we touch.
Now of course there’s much more we can talk about as far as knowing God’s will but the truth I want to focus on today is that his Word tells reveals his will.
Now as we read his Word and seek his will, our hearts, our attitudes matter.
We should always come to God with a humble heart, a teachable heart and a heart that desires to not just know the will but also to do the will.
Notice what Jesus said in John 7
John 7:16-17 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
16 Jesus answered them by saying, My teaching is not My own, but His Who sent Me.
17 If any man desires to do His will (God’s pleasure), he will know (have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself) whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from Myself and of My own accord and on My own authority.
If we desire to know and do his will, then we will have the right heart so that his Word will illuminate his will to us. The Bible will not be just words on paper to us but what it truly is, the living Word of God.
Listen to what Jesus said about his Word.
John 6:63 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.
And then also we read in
Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]
His Word is alive and will come alive in us if we desire to know and do his Will.
Now let me share another point, and that is being faithful brings increase.
Luke 16:10
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much….
There’s two sides to this statement. Proving yourself faithful in little shows that when you have increase, you will still be faithful with what you have. But also, being faithful in little qualifies you for increase.. for much.
If we want more light, more revelation of God’s will from his Word, then we have to be faithful with the light, the revelations, the knowledge of his Will that we already have. Meaning, know the Word and Do the Word.
Now let’s go back to where we started, Ephesians 5 but this time I will share it from the Amplfified Bible
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
As you begin 2024, be careful how you live. Live with purpose, a worthy purpose.
You are too important. Your life is too valuable not to pursue God’s plan for your life
Don’t waste 2024.
Live 2024 pursuing and accomplishing God’s will for your life.
If you want to do this, He will help you.
Blessings in Christ,
