RECEIVING FROM GOD
For we are His workmanship, His own master work, a work of art, created in Christ Jesus, born from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used for good works which God prepared for us beforehand, taking paths which He set, so that we would walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)
When we talk about God’s plan to reach people, it is obvious that we need something to reach them with. So what do we do? We must receive from God. Recently I was preparing for my morning time with God and found myself repenting for running past God to get to the things about God. I have certain tools and studies that I do daily and they are wonderful, but they are not like time with God receiving from God.
Consider the truth that you are His workmanship. In His mind and eyes you are the finished product even while you are being perfected. You are a work of art in progress. In Christ you are ready to be used for good works. He has put in us what He needs to accomplish what He wants. When we receive that truth we understand that we can do more than we can do because we do not do it alone. We may not even do anything at all. As Paul explained that it was no longer him living, it was Christ living in Him!
A notable thing that I believe God said in a message was that there are many people in the world who think they are free and they are not, and a lot of Christians who are free and act like they are not. It is the truth that makes us free. Jesus said we must walk in and abide in the truth.
Another thing about receiving from God is that the more we receive, the less we are able to contain it. He just keeps bubbling in our soul. The Holy Spirit bubbles up what is best and it pours out for the benefit of others.
Jesus said that we need not worry about what we will say or do, because it would be given to us when we need it. In our receiving from God we gain the confidence to pour out what we receive.
When God told Noah to build a boat, I wonder how clear the reasoning was in his mind as he began. I would think he needed to continue to receive from God as he went. He did not build that boat over night. Every day, he had to get up and get at it. There may have been days when he got a late start and perhaps days that he barely got anything done. It was only God who kept him going.
Just as surely as God kept Noah going, He will keep us going. As I read the verse of today’s message the words, “ready to be used,” stood out for me. My thought was that I am not used up. I am ready to be used. At an age where people talk about retiring, I am thinking I might just be ready! God excites me! I do not want to hurry past Him to study things about Him. I want to continue to receive from Him and be ready for what He has planned. Receive from God!