What’s your ‘Recipe for Life’?

Read:

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV): “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Ephesians 4:16 (NIV): “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows, and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Act:

Let us be determined this week to examine our personal ‘recipe for life’. Does our recipe contain the following ingredients?

Applying the truth of God’s Word to our lives. God’s recipe for our lives is the opposite of how the world would write it. Consider Luke 6:27-28 (NASB): “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Does that sound like the world? Definitely not. May we be intentional when it comes to applying God’s Word and principles for living to our lives.

Staying close to Jesus, who strengthens us for the task at hand. As Philippians 4:13 (AMP) reads: “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” May we never be found trying to ‘cook up a dish’ based on our own understanding or recipes, apart from God. As we apply the ways of Jesus to our lives, may we know that in and through Him, nothing is impossible!

Playing our part in the body of Christ. As we read from Romans 12:5 (NIV): “So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Relying on the strength and directions of the Holy Spirit, may we set an example for others to follow Jesus by loving them. Life is not about achievements. It’s about relationships, and working together to glorify our Father in Heaven. Remember how we are instructed in Romans 12:9-11 (ESV): “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

Believing that we were created on purpose and for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) tells us: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things HE planned for us long ago.” As we think about being God’s masterpiece, have we stopped to consider that our heavenly Father designed us specifically? He predestined our calling and purpose before we were born. What has been written about your life? Is your recipe for life evident to everyone who meets or knows you? If you look in the mirror, do you see a masterpiece… chosen, loved, and created according to God’s will, as a representation of our Lord on earth – wearing a label that says “Hand-made by God”?

Once we truly understand our recipe for life, and our purpose for life through Christ, may we be zealous for Jesus! May we be passionate about sharing the love and hope we have in Him. And remember, as you live out His recipe for your life, you have the help of our Lord. As He says in Psalm 32:8 (NIV): “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” So let us look to Jesus – His recipe for our lives never fails.

Pray:

Abba Father, You’ve given us so many recipes for life in the most wonderful recipe book, Your Word. Help us to find this little nugget. Help us to find these recipes so that we can do life the ‘Jesus’ way. We want to live as King’s kids, feeding on the good things in Your Word, but also the things that are not so nice, the things we need to learn and put in our Spiritual mouths. Thank You for Your recipes. Thank You for this recipe that gives us power and leaves a sweet taste in our mouths.

O gracious Heavenly Father, I thank You today for this time together. I thank You for the opportunity to be able to share. Thank You for speaking through me today and letting Your compassion come through me to others, so that they may see that we’re just trying to be more like You. I just want to be out there, I want to share with our community. I want to share with others: I want others to know who You are. I want to be able to spend eternity with them. And so Lord, I thank You for this today. I thank You for speaking to me through this message, and I ask that you give a protection of covering over each and every one. We thank You for this day.

Heavenly Father, we come to Your throne of glory and ask for forgiveness for the times that we did not listen, the times we did not obey, and the times we assumed that it could be other than what You asked us to do. Help me to be plugged into the Holy Spirit’s voice, and prepared to listen and do as You ask me to… trusting You, holding on to You. Help me to have a closer walk with You, and to be strong and courageous so that You can use me for Your good. Here I am Lord. Mould me to be the best me that I can be, to build Your Kingdom. I ask this in the name of Jesus our Messiah.

Father, thank You for allowing this opportunity to share how real You are in my life. Thank You for never losing Your zeal for Your people. Help me and my sisters and brothers when we feel weary, doubtful or fearful, to remember that You live inside us. You provide all the love and zeal we need to accomplish Your plans.

Father God, we just are so grateful that You have chosen us, that we are loved by You, our Creator. Thank You for holding us in the palm of Your hand. Lord, I ask that each of us as Your children would see Your plan and see Your purpose. I ask that we will sit up straighter, and smile with a little more confidence when we step out, because we know we are created by You, we are a masterpiece. And Lord, as we go out and shine that light, let it shine into other people’s lives. We just thank You Jesus and we love You. We honour You. In Your Son’s name. Amen.

(This WRAP is with great appreciation to Ina, Michelle R, Tracey, Taschja and Diane)

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