You undoubtedly felt awkward the first time you had to learn which fork to use.
But with that knowledge you can enter any dining experience with confidence. The
same is true when you dine at God's table. At first it seems difficult. But
learning the right manners makes it possible for you to be in any situation and
please the Father.
Table manners at God's table:
* You have to do your own chewing. Too many Christians expect God to take out a
spoon and dish up the blessing for them. He is supposed to place it in our
mouths, work our jaws to chew it up, and help us swallow it. We want God to do
everything. The fact is that you have responsibility in God's sovereign world.
* Accept the seating. Take the lowest seat, the seat of humility and service. If
God wants you to sit higher up, He will show you that, but err on the side of
humility, not pride.
* Finish the meal. John 3:16 tells us, "God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son." Some believe that because God has already come and died for
the sins of the world, they don't have to do anything else. However, it's
important to finish the phrase regarding man's responsibility: "whosoever
believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." You must come to
Him in order to receive the forgiveness that He purchased for you.
* Read the menu. You must spend time reading what God has prepared. Read your
Bible, meditate on the Word. It will give you strength and illumination
according to God's plan for your life. It will keep you on course and remind you
of your responsibilities in order to fulfill the plan of God.
* Count the fruit. If you are not willing to bear fruit for Him, then He is not
obligated to answer your requests, even if you ask things in His name. Jesus
declares," Everyone that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who
comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). The Holy Spirit inspires us to
go to Jesus and do what He asks of us. His sovereignty makes the first move
toward us, but because He gave us free will, we must move toward Him as well.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Thanks to Randy Walker
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