WHAT IS YOUR MEAT?
MEMORISE: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4: 34
READ: Luke 2:40 -49
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
MESSAGE
How l wish that men would know the purpose of God for their lives and run with it with so much vigor that it becomes like food to them. I don't know what l will be doing on this earth if l am not fulfilling the purpose for which He brought me into this world. Jesus Christ said in our memory verse today that His food is to do God's will.
If you have not asked God why He sent you to this world, please ensure that you do so and don't stop asking until you get a clear answer.
If you are determined to ensure that His purpose for bringing you into this world is fulfilled, then it will show in the choices you make. If you are so focused on doing His will that it is like food to you, you will make some very bold choices in order to fulfill that purpose. When l made the choice of leaving my job as a lecturer to become a full-time Pastor over a Church that could barely pay me any salary, people said l was crazy, but the will of the One who sent me was my meat, so l never turned back. Now that God's will is coming to pass and His glory is beginning to shine, those people who thought l was crazy are now glorifying God for my life.
Jesus Christ did not only say that His meat is to do the will of the Father, but also to finish the Father's work. Some start off doing the will of Father, but along the way that zeal wanes. They find meat in something else other than the will of God. The reason for this is that the sent has lost touch with the sender. I pray that God will give you the grace to finish strong in Jesus' name. If you are still very much in touch with the one who sent you to this world, in the middle of your conversations, He will keep encouraging you and restating His will for you. You will come out of every encounter with Him with determination to do more for Him.
The will of God for my life has remained my meat for over 40 years now. He keeps showing me new dimensions of His will. Whenever He tells me something new, my strength is renewed, and l can move on. If you remain in touch with the One who has sent you, He will give you the grace to finish His work.
REFLECTION
Are you so passionate about God's will for your life that it is as essential as food to your survival?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 17-19
HYMN 8: I'M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY
1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
