What does it mean to do God's will? How does Jesus show us how to do God's will?

A Different Way of Thinking About Jesus

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.

Revelations 3:20

Today’s verse is one of my personal favorites and reveals how I feel Jesus approaches us. In this verse we see two things, first is the active action by Jesus of trying to connect with us, by knocking on our door. The second is a very clear statement about Jesus’s desire to form a mutual relationship with us, by wanting to dine with us. While they are insistent, neither of these statements are aggressive or demanding statements, but a compelling request by Jesus for us to get to know Him more closely. 

Today, we hear on the news that we are living in a "New Normal." Nothing could be further from the truth. God doesn't want us to be isolated and didn't make us that way. Today is really a "New Reality." And how do we live with this "New Reality."

Revelations has long been considered a dark and scary book. But actually when read with the knowledge of why it was written; it becomes an engrossing story of the cosmic battle of good versus evil. A battle in which Jesus wins!

Jesus gifts are available to all. How has Jesus helped you in your life? Jesus ascended to heaven and left a legacy that is still with us today.

In each of our lives there will be seasons of joy and mourning. These seasons all have a purpose under the heavens. The wonderful poem in Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 is a God breathed verse to guide us through these seasons.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

John 8:12

 How to use this verse in problem solving.

We Are Who We Are Because of The Grace of God

But by the grace of God I am what I am.

1st Corinthians 15:10

I am sure you have heard the phrases, By the grace of God or I am saved by the grace of God. So what is God’s grace? The simplest answer is; grace is God’s love towards us, which has not been earned by us, but given freely by God. The multiple branches off this statement in explanation are long and if all are followed, provide more insight if carefully worked by the mind. 

The amount of theological doctrine relating to grace is immense and it seems that not all can quite agree. Some parts are agreed to by some and others have other dimensions of grace to explain. 

And that is part of the point about grace, each person receives and feels God’s grace differently. But its effect on the individual is universal. So universal that God’s grace is perhaps the most important aspect of the Bible. In our relationship with God, it starts with God’s desire to be in relationship with us. A compelling desire by God that is not diminished by our rejection of God.

Jesus is the prime example of grace. The cross, His life and resurrection were all done as a result of God’s grace. The forgiveness of our sins was unearned. Simply, an innocent entity stood in for us on the cross. The lessons of Jesus become guideposts for our lives, yet they have been given freely. The resurrection of Jesus, was to defeat death for us. Again, an extraordinarily powerful act, that was not deserved, but given. 

The Holy Spirit descended on the fiftieth day after the resurrection for all humankind. A gift from Jesus that helps us each day in our lives.

The fifth Sunday of Pentecost and the value of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, which dwells in each of us and speaks to us through our hearts.