He's Guiding You To The Top!

"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12 (KJV)

There are so many people today that are feeling as though they don't know where to turn or where they can go for serious guidance and direction. And the truth of the matter is that many of these individuals have been in a church or fellowship for many, many years. They’ve developed a routine, a series of habits that moves them from one thing to the next, mostly without giving it much thought. But something has happened, and many are now sensing tremendous discomfort in their circumstances. They are looking for answers that are not readily available within the context of business as usual. What used to work doesn't work anymore, because it simply isn’t enough. People are looking for something real and lasting. The obvious question is why, as Christians, have we come to this point?

First of all, we need to consider that it is entirely possible that a person can be a member of a church, know all the catch-phrases and nuances of Christian culture, and still not have experienced a very personal and intimate encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean that all the experiences and years up until now have been in vain; absolutely not. God has His hand upon all who love Him, and has led us up to the point where we are now. This is the wonderfully extraordinary thing about His love. He never leaves us or forsakes us, but He will absolutely allow us to get to a place in our walks in Christ where our reserves seemingly run low. This is often His way of letting us know that it's time to move up! We need a dose of something potent and new to break through to the next dimension of growth and blessings. 

We need to be reminded that salvation is a very dynamic reality, because sometimes we forget this tasty, little morsel from the bread of life. We can't assume that because our parents were in church all of their lives, and we were raised as a "Church kid", that this means we have a diploma on spiritual lessons from the Master. Religious traditions and rituals do not guarantee a relationship with Christ, and our ascension to greater spiritual heights isn’t on automatic.

Paul, the Apostle, said in Philippians 3:14 (NLT), “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” The word ‘press’ implies a pretty decent degree of effort. On a daily basis we need to be reminded of the person of Christ, that he never stopped doing the Will of God. His life can be likened to a well-oiled machine of constant giving, loving, sharing, and healing. He never ceased to walk by faith, and he said in John 14:12 (KJV) "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Author and minister, Matthew Henry (1662 – 1714) said, "The truth of Christ is one and invariable." We may have many religions, but there is only one gospel, and God has called each of us to a distinct work of which our solemn commitment and dedication is required. If you have found yourself at a place in your life where nothing seems to make sense—if all of the things that used to work are no longer cutting it, and your soul is not at rest, most assuredly God is calling you to step up.

Philippians 1:16 affirms, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Heavenly Father created the order of the universe in such a way that it includes the course of events in our individual lives. Life will seem indifferent to us when we’re slated to be at a certain point in our spiritual development, and we have allowed ourselves to fall out of synch. The very best remedy is to get in synch with what Christ is doing within, for he most assuredly is working some things out in our souls.

God works within us to will and do of His good pleasure, but not without our invitation, and not without an understanding that we are very important to His plan and purposes in the earth. Each of us matters. Our uniqueness cannot be duplicated, and God is calling us to wake up and pay attention to our calls. In Revelation 3:2, He commands, "Wake up! Strengthen what little remains.” He’s telling us to get with the program for our own good. He doesn’t want us to miss out on all that He has in store for us.

Some folks are looking at their circumstances and feeling afraid. They can’t believe the predicaments now facing them, because its unfamiliar territory. It may very well feel as though you are facing life alone, and that no one is in your corner. Perhaps those that you’ve counted on have abandoned you, but don’t be dismayed. These are the times that Heavenly Father wants us to draw closer to Him. James 4:8(NLT) tells us, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” This is His promise.

We must remember that a deeper relationship with God starts with conscious actions on our parts. Heavenly Father hasn’t left us without the guidance we’ve come to count on, but some of us are walking or running in the opposite direction of it. God’s waiting on us to turn around and change lanes. In Joshua 22:1-5 The Messasge (MSG), Joshua gave the children of Israel instructions that represent a great starting point for us to do just that. Take a look:

 

“Then Joshua called together the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He said: “You have carried out everything Moses the servant of God commanded you, and you have obediently done everything I have commanded you. All this time and right down to this very day you have not abandoned your brothers; you’ve shouldered the task laid on you by God, your God. And now God, your God, has given rest to your brothers just as he promised them. You’re now free to go back to your homes, the country of your inheritance that Moses the servant of God gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Only this: Be vigilant in keeping the Commandment and The Revelation that Moses the servant of God laid on you: Love God, your God, walk in all his ways, do what he’s commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have.”

 
Most of us will say that we’re serving God with everything that we are, but deep down, we know that there are areas that we haven’t fully surrendered. We know that there are some places within that we’ve closed the door, and put away the key. Well, God is knocking. “Follow Me.” He’s telling us. He won’t kick in the door or push it open and drag us out of our hiding places. He’s waiting for us to open it willingly in faith, with the full assurance that He’s willing and able to guide us to a place that is truly beyond anything we can imagine. ■

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). http://www.blueletterbible.org

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.