YOU ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS - A DEVOTIONAL BY RICK WARREN

“This will continue until we are ... mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him.” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV)

Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life.

Referring to this process, Paul said, “This will continue until we are ... mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).

You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be completed here on Earth. It will only be finished when you get to Heaven or when Jesus returns.

At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character is left will be wrapped up. The Bible says that when we are finally able to see Jesus perfectly, we will become perfectly like him: “We can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).

Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than He is anything else. We worry when God seems silent on specific issues such as “What career should I choose?”

The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life. What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do it in a Christ-like manner (1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:17, 23).

God is far more interested in who you are than what you do. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity but not your career.

The Bible warns, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out .... Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you” (Romans 12:2 MSG).

You must make a counterculture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus. Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, co-workers, and culture will try to mold you into their image.

Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God’s great purposes and have instead settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship.

Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like Himself before He takes us to Heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

This devotional ©2012 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

GOD KNOWS - WONDERFUL POEM BY MINNIE LOUISE HASKINS(1875-1957)

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” 

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart be still:
What need our little life
Our human life to know,
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low,
God hideth His intention.

God knows. His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision,
Are clear to God. Our fears
Are premature; In Him,
All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill.

THE WALL - 8

STORY BEHIND THE HYMN "PRECIOUS LORD TAKE MY HAND"

Precious Lord Take My Hand provides an example of how a song helped the one who created it, before it helped countless others.

Sometimes, on a busy street, you will see a small child walking along beside Mom, with his hand in hers. No fear, no uncertainty, not even in the noisy traffic or bustling crowds of people. He trusts the strength and wisdom of the one who holds his hand. But see that same child in the middle of a department store aisle, wailing tearfully, "Mommie!" She may be nearby, but he can't see her. He has lost hold of that reassuring hand and is terrified.

Some time ago Thomas Andrew Dorsey (not the famous band leader) had an experience that relates. A black entertainer, known professionally as Georgia Tom (1899-1965), he had been a blues singer for years, and even written popular songs. Then, during a period of serious illness, he gave his heart and life to Christ. From that day he went on to write about four hundred gospel songs, actively serving the Lord for nearly half a century. One of his compositions in particular has remained popular ever since. The writing of it came about as follows.

In 1932, Mr. Dorsey was invited to sing at a series of revival meetings in St. Louis. He did not want to accept, as his wife was expecting their first child at any time. But she urged him to go. Then, during the first night of the meetings, a telegram was brought to him. It conveyed the sad news that his wife had died giving birth to a son. Grief-stricken, Dorsey drove back home. 

Within a few hours, his baby son died as well. He buried them both in the same casket. In despondency, he went to visit a friend. As they talked the musician was encouraged with the thought that whatever happened, he was in the hands of a loving God. 

After awhile, he sat down at the piano and began to improvise the prayer-song, "Precious Lord Take My Hand." It begins, "Precious Lord, take my hand, / Lead me on, help me stand, / I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; / Through the storm, through the night, / Lead me on to the light, / Take my hand, precious Lord, / Lead me home." 

Thomas Dorsey had been reassured by the promises of God, as each believer can be. Like a trusting child we each can look up with the eyes of faith and clasp the hand of our heavenly Father. He says: "I the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you" (Isa. 41:13).

There is tender compassion in the outstretched hand of the Lord. That was personally revealed through the life of Christ on earth. By His loving hand He healed the blind (Mk. 8:23), lifted the lame (Mk. 9:27), cleansed the leper (Matt. 8:3), and raised the dead (Matt. 9:25). 

Then the hands of Jesus were nailed to a cruel cross, where He died to take the punishment for your sins and mine (Isa. 53:5). Through His death, God has provided eternal salvation for all who will put their faith in Him. So whose hands are you in? Will you trust in Him and pray, today, "Precious Lord take my hand...lead me home"? 

NOTE:

The above article was taken and edited from the link given below: 

http://www.wordwise-bible-studies.com/precious-lord-take-my-hand.html

LYRICS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART - 5 (PRECIOUS LORD TAKE MY HAND)

 THOMAS ANDREW DORSEY

 (JULY 1899 - JANUARY 1993)

           

            Precious Lord, take my hand

            Lead me on, let me stand

            I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

            Through the storm, through the night

            Lead me on to the light

            Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

            When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near

            When my life is almost gone

            Hear my cry, hear my call

            Hold my hand lest I fall

            Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

            When the darkness appears and the night draws near

            And the day is past and gone

            At the river I stand

            Guide my feet, hold my hand

            Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

            Precious Lord, take my hand

            Lead me on, let me stand

            I'm tired, I’m weak,  I’m lone

            Through the storm, through the night

            Lead me on to the light

            Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home