Reflection on January 4,2022 – “Living Intentionally!”

Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14. From the time we were conceived, we must wait. We often become impatient to BE. We search far and wide for meaning and understanding of who and why we are.

Then I read, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9. This is our Lord God, living intentionally. He has a purpose. He waits.

He created us in His Image. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female, he created them. Genesis 1:27.  Our Lord God then gave us a part of Him with every breath we take – Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. Genesis 2:7-8.

Eve wanted to be wise as God and succumbed to Satan’s temptation by eating of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lost their citizenship in the Garden of Eden.

Redemption is a part of God the Father’s purpose for the people He created from the beginning. Jesus the Son was born on the earth to die and raised from the dead. Jesus is God’s ultimate ‘Yes’ to redemption. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17.

One thousand years had passed since God made a covenant with Abraham. ‘By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.’  Hebrews 11:8-9.

Moses saw a burning bush that didn’t burn up. This is after he left Pharaoh’s house. Curious, he investigated. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:2-5.

He was given the task of bringing his enslaved people from Egypt. This is the answer Moses was given. Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14.

One attribute of God is, God is Able. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21.

Now I consider how God lives eternally and waits for us to understand and come to Him. What motivates Him?  What is His purpose? When we consider the first and greatest commandment, and that we learn to Love as He does.

And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

Love is the first gift of the Holy Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. The attributes of God include the Fruit of the Spirit:

Love– God is Love – Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:8.

Joy – God is Joy – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11.

Peace – God’s Son, Jesus, left peace. – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27.

Patience – God is Patient – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  2 Peter 3:9.

Kindness – God is Kind – Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4.

Goodness– God is Good – But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5.

Faithfulness – God is Faithful – All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10.

Gentleness – God is Gentle – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29.

Self-Control – God exhibits self-control – The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31. We live intentionally when our lives reflect the Fruit of the Spirit when we worship our Lord and meditate on His Word, day and night.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18.