1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
It is our responsibility to seek out the plan of God for our lives by making sure that what we pursue is both a good idea and God’s idea. He is the Lord of our lives and we must pursue and execute God’s idea.
Not every idea is God’s idea. Therefore, it’s imperative to consecrate our plan, idea and dream to Him. If we are confident that it is God’s idea, God will pay and bless it, but if it is our idea without consecration, we will need to fund it ourselves! What gives substance to our faith is when we know with confidence that we are walking in something that He has called us to and endorsed. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean it will be a bed of roses when we walk in the perfect will of God. However, we can be assured He hears us and will give us our petition according to His will.
How do we know whether something is the will of God? In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to pray for the Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. There is a heavenly plan for everyone, and He is the master craftsman who has created us with different talents and gifts, and allowed us to be developed differently for a purpose. A prayer of consecration is a prayer seeking the will of God, but it can be a struggle for many Christians because it deals with the Lordship of Christ in our lives.
Matthew 26:39 (NKJV) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.
Jesus’ soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, knowing what He would have to go through. Yet, Jesus submitted to God by praying for the Father’s will to be done. He came into the garden with two wills but left with one—the will of the Father. It is choosing to be yoked with God and allowing Him to be the stronger partner in our lives. Although righteousness is imputed to us, sanctification and consecration are a lifelong process with such hindrances as pride, doubts, fear of the unknown, losing control of life and not knowing the goodness of God.
Jesus’ life was a culmination of consecration. It is dying to our flesh to not do what we want but follow God’s plan for our lives. Not only is this lifestyle a form of protection, but it also leads to joy, satisfaction of the soul and contentment of the spirit. The best ideas come from God.
Sermon Series: A Firm Footing
最好的主意来自主
约翰一书 5:14-15我们若照他的旨意求什么，他就听我们。这是我们向他所存坦然无惧的心。既然知道他听我们一切所求的，就知道我们所求于他的无不得着。
我们的责任是寻求主为我们的生命所设定的计划，确保我们所求既是好的计划也是主的意志。祂是我们生命的主，我们必须寻求并执行主的意志。
并不是每个主意都是主的主意。因此，务必将我们的计划、想法和梦想分别为圣献给祂。如果我们确信那是主的意见，主会买单并且祝福它，但如果那只是我们未经分别为圣的自身的想法，我们就需要自己买单！我们信念的实底体现在当我们信心满满地知道我们正行在祂呼召我们行走的道路上，并且有祂的背书。尽管如此，当我们行在主完美旨意中时，并不意味着一切都会一帆风顺。然而，我们可以确信祂听见我们的祈求，并会按照祂的旨意给予我们所求的。
我们如何知道某事是否主的旨意？在主祷文中，耶稣教导我们，祈愿神的旨意行在地上如同行在天上。我们每个人都有一个属天的规划，祂是那赐予我们每个人独特的才能和恩赐的主设计师，并且让我们为了神的目的以不同的方式成长。成圣的祷告是寻求神旨意的祷告，但对许多基督徒来说可能会有挣扎，因为它关乎基督在我们生命中的主权。
马太福音 26:39他就稍往前走，俯伏在地祷告说，我父阿，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我。然而不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。
耶稣的灵充满了悲伤，因为祂知道自己将要经历的事情。然而，耶稣祷告愿照父的旨意，以此顺服于主。祂怀着两个意念进入园中，但只带着一个离开——那就是父神的旨意。这是选择与主同负一轭，并让祂成为我们生命中较强的伙伴。尽管义是归于我们的，但成圣和奉献是一生的过程，我们需要不断克服各种障碍，包括骄傲、怀疑、对未知的恐惧、失去对生活的控制以及不了解主的良善。
耶稣的一生是成圣的典范。这是向肉体死，不去行我们想做的，而是跟从主为我们的生命所制定的计划。这种生活方式不仅是一种保护，还会带来喜乐、灵魂的满足和精神的知足。最好的主意总是从主而来。
讲章系列：稳固的根基
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