Believe, Desire & Respond

(I start this introduction by making a similar comparison to ads in the Sunday paper, or even to email that I receive. i.e. Though I believe the ad that I read is true, though I desire what the ad is offering, I still cannot possess the item until I respond.)

The only way that any of us, as individuals, is going to enjoy what the Lord has for us in this service is to believe the Word of the Lord.

We must have faith in what God’s Word says.

In no way can I expect to obtain what God has declared unless I believe that His Word is true.

Yet, I’ll tell you that belief alone is not sufficient.

I need to believe, but I must also desire.

It’s one thing to believe that God’s Word is true, it’s another to desire His Word for my life.

I have to want what God has promised.

And yet faith and desire do not complete the package.

Faith and desire need to be followed by response.

In order to receive God’s Word for my life, I have got to open my life up to Him.

I have to reach out to Him in prayer.

I need to let Him know that I am willing to receive His Word for my life.

My faith and desire must propel me to respond to God.

Upon hearing the Word of the Lord, I can’t just believe it and want it, but I must also open my heart and respond to it.

It’s my prayer that today, everyone in the congregation will respond to all that God is offering.