To conclude the series on ‘Yah’s plans for us’ I would like to reflect on what we need to do to share in these wonderful plans. The verses below capture the essence of what is required:
- “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). No one is excluded from the grace of God. However, we need to understand that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Do you believe that Jesus is God and Saviour?
- “Repent, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt.4:17). We are all sinners. The Word teaches us that the wages of sin is death (Rom.6:23). Jesus died on the cross in our place so that there can be for us forgiveness of sin. We are to repent of sin daily and not allow pride and an unteachable spirit tell us otherwise. The Word says that our righteousness is like dirty rags (Isa.64:6). It is only through true remorse and by asking forgiveness that our sins are washed away by the blood of the Lamb and the door to the promises of Yah opened to us.
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Loving God means leading a life devoted to getting to know Him and His ways and spending time with Him in stillness and prayer, studying the Word, praise and worship and witnessing to others about the love, mercy and goodness of God.
- “Abide in Me and I in you” (John 15:4). Jesus wants us to be in relationship with Him. There should be nothing of greater importance in our lives than our devotion to Christ. Besides work and sleep, is there anything that takes up more time than your time spent with Christ?
- “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1Pet.1:16). “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb.12:14). Our God is holy and walking with God requires us to be holy and set apart from the world. This means that we live according to the commandments of God and no longer partake in the lusts of the flesh and vain pleasures of this world. Scripture instructs us to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Col.3:2).
My Prayer
Thank you, Father AhaYah, that You have made a way for us all to share in Your wonderful plans for us. Father we recognise that we are sinners and that we fail you daily by giving in to the lust of our flesh and allowing pride, slothfulness, anger and so much more to tarnish our relationship with You and with others. In Your mercy, please forgive us and instruct us and teach us Your ways, please counsel us with Your eye upon us so that our lives reflect the fruits of Your spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We ask in the name of YahshaYah HaMasiach. Aman.