GOD-TRACKING IS NOT BY GOOD WORKS, BUT BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

GodTracker 670
The e-devotional helping to keep you on-track with God’s plans for your life
GodTracker is published by Sure Reality Media at surereality.net

“All your good works will never be good enough to qualify you for heaven. Therefore, Jesus died in your place… Only his good works are good enough for a good God.”

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God

A man arrives at the pearly gates. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I’ll give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you’re in."

"Okay," says the man optimistically, eyeing the rack of designer halos on the other side of the gate. "First off, I attended church every single Sunday."

"That's good,” says St. Peter, "that's worth two points."

"Two points?" says the man. "Well… er… I… I always gave 10% of all my earnings to the church. Does that count?"

"Hmm, let's see," answers Peter. "That's worth another 2 points. Anything else?"

"Two points!? Well, how about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for the homeless."

"Fantastic,” said the gatekeeper, “that's certainly worth another point,".

The man ponders for a moment and then adds, "And I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, not even in my heart." Peter replied, "That's wonderful. Well done. Let’s see now, that’s worth another… three points!"

"Only three points!!" the man cries out. "At this rate the only way I’ll ever get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

"Ah, at last!” replied the heavenly gatekeeper. “Come on in, friend!"

You may smile, but it’s funny how we often think we can earn brownie points with God through good works. We do all the right things, give to disaster funds, help our neighbours and even attend a few church meetings or Bible studies. So, we think we’ll be okay on D-Day, when the final trumpet sounds and we face our God. After all, we were born into a good Christian home, believed in God and called Jesus Lord.

“Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven,” said Jesus. “Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” You see, dear God-tracker, it’s not how many credits we earn by good works and sweet talk that makes us right with God, it’s by doing what Jesus commanded. For instance, Jesus said things like: “Come to me and I will give you rest,” and “No one comes to the Father except through me,” and “Unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God.”

All your good works will never be good enough to qualify you for heaven. Therefore, Jesus died in your place. Jesus is the only sinless and good person who has ever walked this planet – he is God in the flesh. Only his good works are good enough for a good God. When he died he took your punishment for sin, for the wages of sin is death. But Christ did not stay dead, he rose again. And that’s how I know Jesus was sinless, because death could not keep him down. And that’s the demonstration of God’s grace.

Only by repenting of sin, by believing in Jesus and calling him Lord can you ever be good enough to make it to heaven. Only in Christ, are you and I made righteous. The only way you’ll ever get into heaven is by the grace of God.

God-tracking is not by works, but by grace through faith.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Matthew 7:21

Luke 6:46-49

Matthew 11:28-30

John 14:6

John 3:1-8

Romans 6:23

Luke 24:1-12

2 Corinthians 5:21

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

As I have faith in you and come to you by your grace, I am made righteous before God

“Oh God, I confess that I have been trying to earn good points to be right with you. I’m very sorry and I admit that I was wrong. There is nothing that I can do that will be good enough to gain access to heaven, except to humble myself and come to you through Jesus. This I now do, O Lord. I lay down my good works and admit to my sin. I repent of all that I have done that has grieved you. I am weary of good works and come to you, just as I am, to find rest from my own efforts. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for dying in my place and taking my sin so that, as I have faith in you and come to you by your grace, I can am righteous before God. I rest in your grace, O Lord. Amen.”

If you desire more prayer, please email me - dudley@godtracker.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE to the FREE weekly e-devotional GodTracker at…  http://eepurl.com/dxTLAf

----------------------------

What is GodTracker?
GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek his plan by acknowledging him in all our ways and by tracking his purposes, in faith.

Listen to podcasts by Dudley Anderson at…
https://www.surereality.net/listen/

---------------------------------------------------------------
GodTracker is proudly produced by Sure Reality Media.
SRM produces Christian radio programmes that reach millions with the message of God’s love.
Partner with us and help us reach many people with the reality of Christ.
https://www.surereality.net/become-a-ministry-partner/
---------------------------------------------------------------

SHARING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: A REASON

My Response

Firstly, as a Christian who subscribes to the teachings of Christ, the Lord of my faith, I am compelled to share the message of the Good News gospel of Christ with every man, woman and child with whom I have the honour of interacting throughout my life. I am compelled for two reasons:

1) Out of obedience to the scriptural teachings of the God I worship:

Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2) Out of love for mankind:

Matthew 22:37-38
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

Therefore, out of love for God and love for man, I will share the message of the Christian faith at every opportunity.

When teaching about caring for the needs of the world, the Lord of my faith, Jesus Christ also taught, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me,” (Matthew 25:31-46). Therefore, for every true Christian, giving to the needy is giving to Christ.

What is being questioned here, is not the unsolicited actions of so called, evangelical Christians. What is being questioned is their obedience to the precepts of their religion. To both help the needy and share the message of Christ is well within the confines of the teachings of the Christian religion.

As per the Humanists UK website, as quoting the Human Rights Act 1998: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance." It is well within my human rights, as to freedom of religion, to observe and practice the teachings of my faith by publicly sharing the Good News of the gospel of Christ and giving to the poor.

Secondly, the message of Christianity is one of faith, hope and love. The message of Christianity is one of joy, peace and goodwill. The message of Christianity is one of security, promise and goodness. The privilege of participating in the conversion of any soul to Christianity is the greatest honour one could every enjoy.

However, the message of Christianity is not enforced at gunpoint or enforced by law. Neither is it forcefully thrust by any true follower of the teachings of Christ upon any individual against his/her will. The message of Christianity is free to accept or reject. It is a free gift, to be received by a free will choice.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If I were to promote my religious views to someone and they rejected my message, I would be deeply saddened, but I would lose nothing. My faith would remain intact and I would maintain my hope of eternal life. If I were to promote my religious views to someone and they accepted my message, I would likewise, gain nothing, except the sheer pleasure of knowing that they have found the same faith, hope and love that I enjoy.

The gospel of Christ (the Good News) is the message of Christianity. The Holy Bible teaches, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,” (Romans 1:16). It also says, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

Therefore, as one who seeks to comply with the precepts of my faith (as every Bible believing Christian should) I will continue to support, encourage and give to any Christian institution set on helping the needy and sharing the Good News of Christ, by all means possible!

My response is not an argument or a defence, it is a reason. The reason I give to the needs of the world and the reason I share the message of my faith.

I’m just saying 😊

OUR CHAMPION

More Than Conquerors 

David

The Philistines had gathered for war. They had pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelite army had camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them as no-man’s-land.

The two opposing armies were equally matched. They had been battling on and off for some time, with no results. Therefore, the Philistines had chosen Goliath as their champion to represent them in one-on-one combat. According to ancient rules of war, if two armies were locked in an equal stand-off, they could opt for a duel between two champions, fought in no-man’s-land. In what was often known as champion warfare, whichever man was left standing would win the battle for his army.

Goliath was a giant of a man, standing at 3 meters tall. His bronze coat of scale armour weighed 58kg. He wore bronze greaves on his legs, and had a bronze javelin slung on his back. The iron point of his spear weighed 7kg.

Goliath shouted obscenities to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Choose a man and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects.” King Saul and his men were dismayed and terrified.

Now, an elderly Ephrathite named Jesse had three sons in the ranks of the Israelite army in that stand-off against the Philistines. They were strapping lads, but remained silent when the giant provoked his enemy. Jesse was concerned for his boys’ safety, so he sent for his youngest son, David who was caring for his sheep in the hills of Bethlehem. “I want you to take these supplies to your brothers,” said Jesse, “and bring back report of the battle for me.” Thrilled to have the opportunity to witness the battlefront, young David packed the supplies and set off for the frontline.

For 40 days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand against the Israelites, hurling abuse and curses at God’s terrified people. David reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions. Leaving the supplies with the keeper of supplies, the boy ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, the Philistine champion, Goliath stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” young David asked his brothers.

What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. “Who are you?” asked the king. “I am the youngest son of your servant, Jesse,” replied David. Then he said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; I, your servant, will go and fight him.”

Saul was astounded at the young man’s courage, and when he questioned David, David described how, as a shepherd, he had been able to protect his father’s sheep against the lion and the bear. “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Vainly, Saul attempted to don David in his own suit of armour, but the boy was too small to be agile enough in such gear, so he approached the giant with little more than a stone and a slingshot.

Meanwhile, the Philistine, in full battle attire, kept drawing closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, and he despised him. “Do you think I’m a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” he said, roaring with laughter. David replied, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands and all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s!”

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him. Taking one stone out of his shepherd’s bag, he inserted it in the leather pouch of his sling and began swinging it around his head at speed. At the precise moment, David released one end of the sling. The smooth stone flew straight and true. It and struck the giant on the forehead and sank into his skull. Goliath, the champion of Philistia, fell face down on the ground. Running up to his fallen foe, the boy drew the giant’s mighty sword and killed him.

So, young David, the champion of Israel, triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone. By faith in the name of the Lord God Almighty, without a sword in his hand, he struck down the enemy. David, a mere humble boy, made a laughingstock – a public spectacle – of the enemy of God’s people.

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. David’s brothers and the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued their enemy and overcame its forces.

The young champion, David had conquered the enemy of Israel. David fought a duel and won the fight. His brothers, in the ranks of Israelite army had not raised a sword, yet through David, they had gained the victory. David was the conqueror, while through him, his brothers were more than conquerors.

Jesus

Jesus lay face down in the dirt of the olive grove. It was well past midnight. A few yards away His three friends, whom He’d asked to support Him in prayer, had fallen asleep. Jesus prayed again, “Abba, I know all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me.” Capillaries in the skin of His face burst and blood seeped from His pores, under the strain of facing the wrath of God on behalf of a world steeped in sin. Perspiration mixed with His blood and wet the fingers covering his face. “Ah.. Father… yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Jesus, our Champion faced one of the greatest temptations of His 33 years on this earth. He could have simply stood up, collected His friends and gone home to bed. It was late, and they were all tired. Jesus knew He was about to be arrested and sentenced to death for crimes He’d never committed. He could have made a hasty escape. Yet, He submitted to God’s will and waited in the garden until His accusers arrived to drag Him away to be crucified.

In the garden, Jesus faced a giant. Death, the champion of God’s enemy, stood before Christ, brazenly shouting obscenities and abuse at God’s Champion. However, in a one-on-one duel with Death for the sins of mankind, Jesus stood His ground. As David, the humble champion of Israel, had advanced singlehanded against his giant on the battle fields of Judah, so Jesus, God’s Champion, advanced alone against His formidable foe. Jesus was unjustly arrested and sentenced to death.

For all intents and purposes, it seemed that God’s Champion was losing the fight. The giant was gaining the upper hand. He’d come against Jesus with false accusations and lies, while Jesus had remained silent. Was Christ losing the battle? Was Death going to overcome God’s Champion? Finally, on the Cross, Jesus cried, “It is finished!” and gave up His life. Death seemed victorious. Had the Champion of Life lost His battle against Death?

Suddenly, a great earthquake rocked the land. At the death of God’s Champion, the temple curtain was ripped in two, exposing the holy place of God. For the first time, God’s mercy was freely available; Heaven had been opened to all who would come to God through the blood of the Lamb – Jesus Christ.

The great opponent of Life had apparently triumphed. But the battle raged on. Jesus, the sinless Son of God lay entombed for three days. On the third day, a blinding light erupted from the tomb where the body of God’s Champion lay. The stone seal was broken, and Jesus rose from the dead. The wages of sin is death and Jesus died. But, because He is the sinless Son of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus our Champion rose from the dead, defeating sin, Satan and Satan’s champion, Death! Oh, death where is your sting!

What a glorious moment. Mercy had triumphed over judgement as Life triumphed over Death. Heaven was opened and God’s mercy freely available. The giant, Death was dead! Our Champion had won the battle in a one-one-one duel with Death. Through the humility of the Cross, Jesus made a spectacle – a laughingstock – of the forces of darkness. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them, on the cross.

Our Champion, Jesus, had conquered the enemy of Life. Jesus fought a duel and won the fight. You and I, in the ranks and files of His army, have not raised a sword in this battle, yet through Jesus, we have gained the victory. Jesus is the conqueror, while through Christ, we are more than conquerors.

Stand Your Ground

David, a champion like Jesus, declared, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands and all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s!” David knew the source of his strength did not rest in his young teenage arms, but it rested in the Name above all names. By the authority and power of the name of Yahweh, young David conquered the enemy of Israel. His brothers did no fighting, but through David, they gained the victory.

Jesus Christ has conquered sin, Satan and death on your behalf. The sinless Son of God paid the price for sin when He died and enabled our salvation when rose again from the dead. In Christ, we have the hope of abundant life. Jesus conquered our enemy. We did nothing to defeat death, but through Jesus, we gained the victory.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. As it is written, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

By Dudley Anderson

E-mail: dudley@dudleyanderson.net

GOD-TRACKING IS WALKING YOUR PATH, STEP BY STEP, BY HIS LIGHT

GodTracker 699The e-devotional helping to keep you on-track with God’s plans for your life
GodTracker is published by Sure Reality Media at surereality.net

“Be encouraged. He will show you the way to go, step by step, as he illuminates just enough of the path ahead to keep you walking by faith and not be sight.”

Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

I have never been down an active mineshaft, but growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is renowned for its gold mines, I know how dark it can be down a deep mineshaft if the lights go out. Some of these shafts are kilometres below the surface. It is impossible for any trace of sunlight to penetrate so deeply underground. The darkness here is thick and almost tangible. Therefore, miners have headlamps on their helmets. These headlamps are very powerful. Even so, due to the length of the mineshaft, when a miner turns his light on, the beam may only reach a few metres ahead of him. Even with his headlamp burning, the miner is unable to see far into the distance. However, he is able to see sufficiently far enough down the path ahead of him to navigate safely along the shaft, one step at a time.

Tracking the dark pathways of life requires that we see where we are going. However, as a Christian, I believe God does not always reveal the end of our path to us before we arrive there. His word is a headlamp to our feet, not a laser beam to our future. I’ve discovered that, as I trek my life’s path, God sufficiently illuminates my walk, one step at a time. It can, indeed, be most frustrating not knowing what will happen beyond the next bend, but that’s where faith comes in. Faith is confidence in things hoped for and being certain of life not yet seen. And faith pleases God – he rewards those who seek him by faith.

The word to you today is, God is in your future. He is there already, meeting your needs and preparing your pathway. You may not be able to see into tomorrow but, with his word is your headlamp, he will guide you along the way, step by step. Father loves you so much that, in his wisdom, he has chosen to reveal to you only what you need to see today, as you make your way along your life’s track. So, don’t worry about tomorrow. Jesus said that tomorrow has enough worries for itself. First seek his plans and his goodness, then everything you will ever need to reach the end of the road, will be given to you as well. Be encouraged. God will show you the way to go, step by step, as he illuminates just enough of the path ahead, to keep you walking by faith and not be sight.

God-tracking is walking your path, step by step, by his light

READ ALL ABOUT ITPsalm 73:23-24
Psalm 23:1-4
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6
Matthew 6:33-34
2 Corinthians 5:7

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

I trust your word to be my headlamp into the darkness

“Dear Father, thank you that you know my beginning from my end. Thank you that you are there already, in my tomorrow, making the way straight for me. Today I put my confidence in your plans and purposes for my life. I acknowledge you in all my ways and trust that you will make straight my paths. I commit my future to you and choose to walk by faith that you will illuminate my path one step at a time. Thank you for your word. I trust your word to be my headlamp into the darkness. Amen.”

If you desire more prayer, please email me - dudley@godtracker.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE to the FREE weekly e-devotional GodTracker at…  http://eepurl.com/dxTLAf

----------------------------
What is GodTracker? GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek his plan by acknowledging him in all our ways and by tracking his purposes, in faith.

Listen to podcasts by Dudley Anderson at…
https://www.surereality.net/listen/

---------------------------------------------------------------
GodTracker is proudly produced by Sure Reality Media.SRM produces Christian radio programmes that reach millions with the message of God’s love.Partner with us and help us reach many people with the reality of Christ.https://www.surereality.net/become-a-ministry-partner/---------------------------------------------------------------

GOD-TRACKING IS NEVER LOSING HOPE IN GOD’S GOOD PLANS

GodTracker 698The e-devotional helping to keep you on-track with God’s plans for your life
GodTracker is published by Sure Reality Media at surereality.net

“Dear God-tracker, God has an ambition to bless you and fill your life with good things. His plans for you are wonderful!”

Romans 8:28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose

This e-devotional is founded on the fact that God knows the plans he has for us. In Jeremiah chapter 29 we read that famous verse that says God’s plans are for welfare and not for evil; to give us a future and a hope. In Romans 8 we’re told that, for those who are called according to God’s plans, all things work together for the good. And in Hebrews 11 it says, “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” We seek God by faith and faith solidifies that hope spoken of by Jeremiah. I believe it is safe to say that, as a loving Father, God desires what is good for his children.

When Jeremiah prophesied about God’s plans for welfare and hope, he was speaking to his people who had been taken captive by the Babylonians. At the time, I could well imagine, Jeremiah’s flock thinking, “A future and a hope? We’ve been dragged away from our homeland, and he prophesies prosperity?” But God’s plan was to test his people and bring them to a place of complete surrender and dependence on him. God’s plan was always to bless his people, but their hearts had grown cold and complacent. One generation later, after Babylonian exile, God fulfilled his promise and brought his beloved back to the Promised Land.

Dear God-tracker, God has an ambition to bless you and fill your life with good things. His plans for you are wonderful! He wants to meet your needs, grant you the desires of your heart and prosper you. Yes, prosper you! However, as you read this thought, you may say, “I don’t feel very prosperous today. My hope has waned, and my future seems bleak.” But your Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. After the difficulty will come the deliverance. (I have discovered that those God calls, he tests.) He is your source and your resource. He will restore the years the locusts have devoured. What you have sowed in tears you will reap with joy. So, continue to acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and keep your eyes on Jesus. God knows the plans he has for you!

God-tracking is never losing hope in God’s good plans

READ ALL ABOUT ITJeremiah 29:11Hebrews 11:1,6Psalm 37:4Psalm 1:1-31 Peter 5:10-11Psalm 30:4-6Joel 2:23-26Psalm 126

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

By faith, I put my confidence for things hoped for, squarely in your sovereign benevolence

“Dear Father, thank you for your promise to give me a future filled with hope and abundance. I admit to any sin and wrongdoing in my life – apathy, indifference, immorality, bad habits, idolatry – and seek your forgiveness, O Lord. I realise that these trials have been sent to test and prove me for the great plans you have for my future. I totally surrender myself to you in spirit, soul and flesh, and seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. By faith, I put my confidence for things hoped for, squarely in your sovereign benevolence. Thank you for the good things that you have planned for my life. Amen.”

If you desire more prayer, please email me - dudley@godtracker.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE to the FREE weekly e-devotional GodTracker at…  http://eepurl.com/dxTLAf

----------------------------
What is GodTracker? GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek his plan by acknowledging him in all our ways and by tracking his purposes, in faith.
Listen to podcasts by Dudley Anderson at…
https://www.surereality.net/listen/

---------------------------------------------------------------

GodTracker is proudly produced by Sure Reality Media.SRM produces Christian radio programmes that reach millions with the message of God’s love.Partner with us and help us reach many people with the reality of Christ.https://www.surereality.net/become-a-ministry-partner/

---------------------------------------------------------------

GOD-TRACKING IS FINDING YOUR OWN FAITH

GodTracker 697The e-devotional helping to keep you on-track with God’s plans for your life
GodTracker is published by Sure Reality Media at surereality.net

“Many people grow up in a Christian environment but never truly discover God’s personal plans for their lives.”

Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Luke was living it up. It was his third weekend away from home. Three Mondays previous he’d said goodbye to his mom and dad and climbed aboard a train headed for a far-away city where he would attend university. Luke had been brought up in a Christian home. He’d attended Sunday School almost every Sunday for the past two decades. Yes, he did believe there was a God; he’d been taught much about his love and mercy. Luke knew all the Bible stories – Adam and Eve, Noah and the ark, David and Goliath and Jesus and the cross – but he’d never really made them his own. Far from home and out from under the oversight of mom and dad, Luke was now free to be himself. Or was he?

Many people grow up in a Christian environment but never truly discover God’s personal plans for their lives. As parents, we teach our children the ways of God and expose them to God’s plan for salvation, believing that they have accepted Jesus as Lord and saviour. The truth is, no one can have a walk with God based on someone else’s faith. Each one of us is personally accountable to God. Each one of us needs to personally discover God’s love. I cannot get into heaven on my dad’s faith.

Years later, well after Luke had left university, he finally found that his life was empty without a real relationship with God though Jesus. It was during a crisis in his life, when he had nowhere else to turn, that he called on the name of the God of his father. It was then that Luke found his own faith. It was at a time when he could no longer rely on his father’s prayers that he personally prayed to the God of his father. Luke found his own faith. It was then that he found that God was exceedingly gracious and forgiving. It was at a time of need that Luke discovered, God knows the plans he has for him; personal plans of hope for an abundant future.

God-tracking is finding your own faith

READ ALL ABOUT IT2 Corinthians 12:9Romans 10:8-131 John 1:9Jeremiah 29:11

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

I realise that I cannot base my walk with God on my father’s faith; I need a personal encounter with the Lord Almighty

“Dear God, I realise now that you are real and that your love for me is not some theoretical Bible principle. I realise now that, without a real and personal walk with you, I am lost! My parents taught me about you and showed me your love, but I never really accepted it as my own. I realise that I cannot base my walk with God on my father’s faith; I need a personal encounter with the living God. So, dear Lord, I admit to my sins and rebellion and ask your forgiveness. I have sinned against you, alone. I believe Jesus died and rose again and I now confess him as my own personal Lord and saviour. Come into my life, Jesus as I choose to give my life to you! Thank you for the plans you have for me. Help me to be a real God-tracker. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

IF YOU PRAYED THAT PRAYER, E-MAIL ME - dudley@godtracker.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE to the FREE weekly e-devotional GodTracker at…  http://eepurl.com/dxTLAf

----------------------------
What is GodTracker?GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek his plan by acknowledging him in all our ways and by tracking his purposes, in faith.
Listen to podcasts by Dudley Anderson at…
https://www.surereality.net/listen/

---------------------------------------------------------------
GodTracker is proudly produced by Sure Reality Media.

Partner with us and help us reach many people with the reality of Christhttps://www.surereality.net/become-a-ministry-partner/---------------------------------------------------------------

GOD-TRACKING IS PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THE FRUIT OF GOD’S PERFECT WILL

GodTracker 696
The e-devotional helping to keep you on-track with God’s plans for your life
GodTracker is published by Sure Reality Media at surereality.net

“Don’t despair when God seems to take his time to work out his perfect will for your life. Whatever your age, continue to progress through the good and the acceptable to God’s perfect.”

Hebrews 6:12
…imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

David was a young shepherd boy. All his brothers were much older and physically bigger than he was. If you’ll pardon the pun, David may have been the black sheep of the family. He was shoved out into the fields to look after his father, Jesse’s sheep at a very tender age. When the prophet Samuel was prompted by God to anoint a new king for Israel he visited Jesse and interviewed all his sons for the job. But God reminded Samuel that he does not look at outward appearances, but at the heart. God prevented Samuel from anointing any of Jesse’s strapping sons as king.

“Are all your sons here?” Samuel asked Jesse.

“There remains yet the youngest but, he is keeping the sheep,” answered Jesse. The boy was promptly called for. God said to Samuel, “Anoint him, for this is the one.”

David was perhaps 15 when he was anointed king of Israel. Unfortunately, Saul was still on the throne and would not abdicate. David waited 15 years before he was made king, at the death of Saul. It was another several years before his kingdom grew and he reached the prime of his reign. Yet, all along, David kept his heart right before God and waited patiently in faith for God’s perfect will to develop.

In Romans 12 we are called to renew our minds that we may test the will of God; his good and acceptable and perfect will. In Mark 4 Jesus tells a parable. Likening the kingdom of God to a man who sows seed, he said, “The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” By these references we notice there are stages in the development of God’s will: first good then acceptable and then perfect, like a seed of grain producing the blade then the ear then the crop.

The Lord is doing a great work in your life, dear God-tracker. Continue to seek his will – his perfect will. In the process, he may take you through various stages in the development of the crop your life will produce. This process may take years, but God’s timing is not our timing; his thoughts are not our thoughts. But God’s thoughts will always produce his perfect will for our lives, for God’s word always produces God’s purposes.

So, continue to seek his face and acknowledge him in all your ways. Don’t despair when God seems to take his time to work out his perfect will for your life. Whatever your age, continue to progress through the good and the acceptable to attain God’s perfect. Like king David, have faith and patience and you will soon inherit the promises of God.

God-tracking is patiently waiting for the fruit of God’s perfect will.

READ ALL ABOUT IT
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Romans 12:2
Mark 4:26-29
Isaiah 55:8-11

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven

“Dear Father, today I want to pray as Jesus taught me to pray: your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Help me to be patient, dear Lord, while I wait in faith for your perfect will to work out in my life. Help me to be productive and faithful through the good and the acceptable, as I seek the perfect. And when the perfect comes, Lord, help me to walk in faith and serve faithfully and produce a good crop, until the next season of my life. Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Amen.”

If you desire more prayer, please email me at dudley@godtracker.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE to the FREE weekly e-devotional GodTracker at…  http://eepurl.com/dxTLAf

----------------------------
What is GodTracker?
GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek his plan by acknowledging him in all our ways and by tracking his purposes, in faith.

Listen to podcasts by Dudley Anderson at…
https://www.surereality.net/listen/

---------------------------------------------------------------
GodTracker is produced by Sure Reality Media.Partner with us and help us reach many people with the reality of Christhttps://www.surereality.net/become-a-ministry-partner/---------------------------------------------------------------