***Website Update: Amethyst's Testimony has been added to the "Testimony" tab.
A few weeks ago, Andrew and I were visiting New York City. The visit was multi-faceted. Andrew was able to meet family members; we picked up a gift for someone; we picked up a car; we visited people who have supported us over the years. We thought we'd have more opportunity to developed our financial support team. Instead, God thought about the people we visited more than anything else during this trip.
We found ourselves staying up late with family members who wanted to talk. We found ourselves encouraging old friends and even making new ones. We found ourselves giving more than receiving, even though we expected the opposite. We were extending the love of Christ in exchange for nothing.
James 5:14 explains Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; where as you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say "If the Lord wills we shall live and do this or that."
When a driven individual sets their mind on a certain thing, they'll plow through everything to get there. Observe the people in an airport how they're so driven. Athletes--driven. Businessmen--driven. Speaking as a couple, drive is a character trait we both share. Drive isn't a bad thing,but when it becomes selfish, drive is counter productive to the kingdom of God. We can make plans but maturity is being able let go of them if that's what the Holy Spirit wants.
I've seen Christians add 'if it's your will' as a tag along to their prayers. Almost like a safe net phrase JUST IN CASE what they pray for does not happen: pray for a healing, 'if it's your will'; pray for a someone to be filled with the Holy Spirit, 'if it's your will'. . . It's created a bad taste in my mouth because obviously His will is to heal the sick and fill people with His Spirit. It's okay to speak with authority what's already been given according to the Word!
On the flip side, sometimes we try to use authority we should be using to heal the sick and cast out demons to speak our own plans into existence. We get arrogant about what we're going to do with OUR OWN LIVES. The truth is, that's the appropriate time to say 'if it's your will.'
We make our plans and add 'if it's his will' because tomorrow isn't guaranteed, however TODAY is the day of salvation and restoration. So pray with authority over your present situations, but above all commit tomorrow and the next day to God. Put your heart and soul into His work each day, and tomorrow will come as He pleases.
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