IQ #263 Where does your ambition lie?

Greetings friends and followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May God’s grace be with you and the love of Jesus Christ fill your heart. 

Since taking on a new career writing had taken a back seat so that I could refocus my priorities and do the best at what I had been called to do. Now, I have the time needed to express what has been on my mind for quite some time, and hopefully awaken you or make you more aware of the culture we live in today and how it may be affecting your own personal way of life.

All of us have ambitions in life in hopes that if they are fulfilled we can look back and be satisfied in our work. But, do your ambitions, all your ambitions, line up with God’s will for you? Do your ambitions obey God's commands and Jesus Christ's teachings?

There are two sets of scripture that have recently been shown to me in my time spent in God’s Word. I want to let these scriptures speak for themselves without much dialog from me. But, I would like you to keep in mind several things prevalent in our society today; changing leadership in our government, mass shootings and all other shootings, terrorism, money, drugs, issues of safety concerns in all areas and what is being talked about, family health (physically, mentally and spiritually), the influence of all media outlets, social media, lack of respect with violent outbursts in a growing number of young people, and your own actions and speech.

Proverbs 6:16-19

 ¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
 ¹⁷  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
 ¹⁸  a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil
 ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the   community.

Romans 12:9-21

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[c]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Read these verses over and over again, then go to God in prayer and ask that you be led in a way to bring honor and glory to His name by applying Romans 12:9-21 to your everyday life. Be diligent. Then ask yourself, “Where do my ambitions lie?”

Blessing to all of you.

With the love of Jesus Christ,

Papa John     06:16:16