Scripture: Romans 9

Have you ever gone through those times in your life when it seemed that you were swimming upstream.  No matter what came your way, it seemed to require more effort to make it happen.

God is at work in our lives

Ø      Constantly

Ø      Beyond Our Knowledge

Ø      Regardless of our relationship to him

Ø      Regardless of the degree of cooperation that we give him

Ø      According to his own purposes

Ø      He is building something in his people that is ultimately fruitful for His kingdom

Ø      He is Lord whether or not we acknowledge Him to be

We are either swimming upstream or downstream in life, fighting the opposing currents or following the course of spiritual living.

God is resistant to those who do not face life according to His design and plan.

Pr 3:34  He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

Jas 4:6  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {Prov. 3:34}

1Pe 5:5 ¶ Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {Prov. 3:34}

1. Seek or Shun

Proverbs 20:24 ¶ A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

He writes in characters too grand

For our short sight to understand;

We catch but broken strokes, and try

To fathom all the mystery

Of withered hopes, of death, of life,

The endless war, the useless strife --

But there, with larger, clearer sight,

We shall see this -- His way was right.

Proverbs 16:9 ¶ In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Ill. White water rafting.  The guide knew the waters well – he instructed us as to how to paddle.  If we listened to him we would be okay.

Henry Blackaby – spiritual leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda.  Too often I think that we see ourselves as franchisees of God’s grace.  He sets us up in business, establishes some particular ministry.  The predominant question of my life should be to find our how God is moving and to cooperate with His Spirit.  Certainly relevant in our own church.  He has brought each of you here to this church for a specific reason.  You have gifts that He has blessed you with.  They are to be used.

Ephesians 4:11  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  12  to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  13  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  14  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  15  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  16  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

This is the picture of spiritual growth as it relates to the “body of Christ”.  I used to think that it was a single solitary, private, individual effort.  It’s not!  I grow as I am a part of the body.  If I disconnect from the body then I disconnect from Christ and I die.

I am more likely to understand God’s direction with a strong connection to the body and a strong commitment to His word.

Psalm 119:105 ¶ Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

2. Sensitive or Selective

Like our own children we hear selectively when it comes to God’s promptings in our life. We are so keen to the faults of others and so blind to our own.  Someone has said that “we judge ourselves by our intentions and we judge others by their actions.”  I think that they are right and thus there is always mercy or slack that we cut for ourselves but not so for others.

We even seem to have a better grasp of God’s will for others than we do for ourselves.

Romans 8:27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.  28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, {Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God} who {Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good--with those who} have been called according to his purpose.

 29 ¶ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I would like to be able to hear and act on God’s faintest whisper.  I wonder how many times that there have been thoughts or impressions divinely placed in my mind during a normal day that I have failed to act on.  A name – I need to pray or to call.  A reminder something that I have been intending to do for some time – now is the time.

I think that there are times when God will speak to us through sources that we might not imagine.  It’s not always the greatest teacher, preacher, saint – not even the person that you might go to for counsel.  At times it can be those whose intentions for us are not good and yet their critical observations can be used by God to awaken us to the painful truth about ourselves.  Pride will deafen us to some of the most significant lessons that God would teach us.  A desire to hear what God is saying will help us to look beyond the offense.

3. Submitted or Struggling

Psalms 37:1 ¶ Of David. {This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.} Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;  2  for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  3  Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  4  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  5  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  6  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  7 ¶ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  8  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.  9  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.  10  A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11  But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.  12  The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

13  but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

Does something in your life need to change? Here are four realizations that can help you in making important choices in your life:

1  The Step of Honest Humility: I don't know the answer. Long journeys and big decisions start with the words I don't know.  When confronted with God's truth, it's human nature to feel  inadequate. If you can admit this to yourself and to God, the words I don't know can free you rather than panic or defeat you. Instead of turning inward and relying on yourself for answers, you can turn to God and rely on Him for the understanding, direction, and strength to move ahead. You will experience the blessing of humility. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

2  The Step of Joyful Obedience: I will do what God says. Once you admit you don't have all the answers, the door to receiving new understanding, opportunity, and direction for yourself will open. Understanding that God loves you unconditionally gives you the ability to obey God. The question of what to do with the rest of your life, facing you now or waiting somewhere down the road, can be filled with anxiety and unknowing. When you come to that turning point, God is ready to show you the way - if you will acknowledge that your life belongs to Him. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).

3  The Step of True Identity: I know who God made me to be.  Obeying God means belonging to God. In Him is your security, familiarity, and trust. When you depend on God, He will    reveal your inner strengths, gifts, and talents to you, the makeup of your true identity.

4  The Step of Destiny: Ultimately, my life belongs to God.  Whatever you have been given in life does not belong to you. You are a steward who's been commanded to share what you have with those who have not. If you make the choice to live your life for the Lord, He will reveal to you the impact you made for Him. It may be years before you understand, but that is one of the faithful blessings of God: to show you how you fit into His kingdom.

The Weaver

 My Life is but a weaving

 between my Lord and me;

 I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow

 And I, in foolish pride,

 Forget He sees the upper,

 And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent

 And the shuttles cease to fly,

 Shall God unroll the canvas

 And explain the reason why.

 The dark threads are as needful

 In the Weaver's skillful hand,

 As the threads of gold and silver

 In the pattern He has planned.

  He knows, He loves, He cares,

 Nothing this truth can dim.

 He gives His very best to those

Who leave the choice with Him