I love this question that
Rick Warren asked in his daily devotion: Do your goals help you know God, grow in God,
serve God, share God, love God, and tell others about God? It makes me realize how important it is for us
to honestly evaluate where we are headed in our Christian journey. The above questions are a wonderful plumb
line for us….whenever the answer is NO - the decision is made, DO NOT THINK IT,
DO NOT DO IT, DO NOT SHARE IT!
The
Holman Bible Dictionary defines a plumb
line: A cord with a weight (usually
metal or stone) attached to one end. The plumb line would be dangled beside a
wall during its construction to assure vertical accuracy. The plumb line
was sometimes used symbolically to mean that God was checking to see if his
people were living righteously.
I love God’s plumb lines because:
One – They were physically used during a
building project. Spiritually speaking, they remind me that I am a construction
project. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Two
– The spiritual plumb lines I find in God’s Word, give me standards to live by
and to evaluate my life’s actions.
Three
– Plumb lines remind me that God is watching me and knows exactly who I am,
what I’m thinking, and how I am living.
Four
– Plumb lines leave nothing to chance. They take away all of my excuses. They
give me a clear sense of direction. I
know exactly how God wants me to live.
Here
are a few of my “Plumb-line” verses….verses that hold me to God’s standard for
living:
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Micah 6:8 (NLT)
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
The above are just a few verses
to use for evaluation – God’s Word is chocked full of such tools. I want to thank you Lord for giving me
standards and guidelines for my life. I need boundaries and I need goals – Your
Word gives me both.
Joyfully,
Yvonne
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading this post, please share your thoughts with us.