This week Bro. Leo continues us on our study of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus, by looking at how God works in us and with us. Can you identify the areas in your life where you have fully turned it over to God? Is there areas in your life that you haven’t turned it over to God and are still trying to carry the load yourself?

In Phil.2:13 we see that God is 1) working in us 2) through us 3) for us, for the purpose of His glory. God desires to bless us in every area of our lives so that we can minister to others for His glory.

In John 10:10 the word “life” is translated from the Greek word “zōē” which means spirit of physical life, eternal life, inner blessed state of life found in Christ Jesus, state of inner joy peace and inner hope found only in Jesus Christ. There is a personal relationship in “Zoe” (John 10:3), Known by your name. There is a personal divine guidance in “Zoe”, He goes before them. Zoe starts at the moment of our salvation, John 10:9. Part of our eternal life is our security and protection in God. God gives us provisions (pasture) when we follow Him (John 10:9). We’re not just living for Jesus we’re living with Jesus.

Jesus tells us, in Matt.11:28-29, that He will carry our burdens and give us rest from those burdens. God is with us at all times and will help us at all times (Heb.13:5-6) if we allow Him to. We are not to live for ourselves or by ourselves (2Cor.5:14-16, Gal.2:20) because He loves us and that love is what motivates us to live in Him.

In Acts 26:14 the phrase “kick against the pricks” that Jesus spoke to Paul about is how we sometimes respond to God trying to carry our burdens for us. A prick (kentron) was a long stick with a sharp metal tip used to steer an ox while it was being worked. A stubborn ox would kick at the prick instead of letting the prick guide it. Like us, the ox was using a lot more effort resisting the prick than it would have if it just followed the prick. When we resist giving an area of our life over to God (kicking at the prick) we are working much harder and without the same results than if we would have handed that area over to God (Acts 5:34-35, 38-39).

God will take care of (keep)every area of our life that we give over to Him/commit to Him (2Tim.1:11-12). The word “keep” in vs.12 is translated from the Greek word “phulassō” which means make a deposit or to establish a trust. We base our committed areas of our lives to God because of who and how well we know God (2Tim.1:12) “I know whom I have believed”.

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Act 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
Act 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Act 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Act 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.