Welcome back again to our series of Proverb 3:5-6and Part 5
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Let’s recap last time we looked at what it means to lean not on your own understanding. We know that when we look at things from our own perspective learning or rely on our own understanding or judgment most of the time we will be wrong, because we only have narrow or part of the view, in comparison to God’s knowing of FULL PICTURE and VIEW.
Today we are going to look at In all your ways acknowledge Him. The first parts of this series we looked into the importance of trusting Him, trusting His Thoughts and Ways over our own opinions and understandings.
Think of this as the entry point, of being in a REAL RELATIONSHIP with Him.
YET there is another step to take, if we want to move to truly following Him, which we’ll see today. Ready read on.
Do you remember the last words Jesus said to Peter when they were eating breakfast on the beach? This is when Peter is receiving a life changing experience, an encounter with Jesus, and the Father’s Love.
Let’s read it.
John 21:18-19
Peter, listen, when you were younger you made your own choices and you went where you pleased. But one day when you are old, others will tie you up and escort you where you would not choose to go—and you will spread out your arms.” (Jesus said this to Peter as a prophecy of what kind of death he would die, for the glory of God.) And then he said, “Peter, follow Me!”
What Jesus was saying Peter this is who you can be and who I see you will be (remember prophecies foretell and bring forth the future) BUT prophecies are always invitational. This means we get to choose to either put the word on the shelf or to disregard it, one means it will happen in His timing, and the other means it will not happen at all. You have a choice, what will you choose to do with prophecies you’ve been given? Your choice determines how the outcome will go.
Here we see Jesus chose to speak by prophecy to Peter saying “Follow Me”! Jesus never came up to anyone and said, “Let me into your heart,” or “accept Me,” but rather He wants us to show our love for Him as He says, “Follow Me” (Matt 4:19) and then we do that wefollow Him.
When Jesus says FOLLOW ME what does He mean?
He means choose Me, My way, My life, for His disciples there is no hint given of these men stopping to count the cost or talking it over with one another, rather they were YES I’m in! It’s when there is a RADICAL CHANGE in us, to our LIFESTYLE where we SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD above all things. We LIVE for CHRIST and continually die to self, to flesh, to our way, wants, desires, to CHOOSE to live God’s way with, in and through Him, no matter what others are do, He has our YES.
Let’s leave that here and pick up next time, part b of In all your ways Acknowledge Him.
Challenge Time: Find space to be with the Lord and listen to His answers.
1. Take your time and speak this prayer from your heart like David did,
God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.
2. Write down all He says.
3. Ask Him what He thinks about the things you are anxious, worried or losing sleep over etc. Write down what He says.
4. Check in and see how you are going with Trusting Him? Write down what He says.
5. WORSHIP Him for He is Glorious, Faithful and Trustworthy.
Father, thank You for Your leading and direction in this series. Thank you for Your Love for us, and that what Your son set free is free indeed, as we have seen in so many lives. We give You all the glory and honour. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
