* Growing Up in God

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  2 Peter 1:5-7

Spiritual maturity helps us maintain God's standard and also helps us achieve emotional maturity. If we lack emotional maturity, important decisions may be made in a fit of anger, self-pity, doubt or delusion. This can have disastrous short and long-range results.  Apostle John recognized this as he prayed for his spiritual brother:  that everything is going well for him and that his natural body is as healthy as his soul is prosperous.   3 John 1:2

As we mature spiritually, we develop the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit" which is evidence of spiritual maturity that results in emotional maturity:  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

. . . But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. . .  Romans 12:2

Spiritual maturity leads finally to transformation, another prerequisite that enables us to know the voice of God. What natural man (human nature) desires to do and what God desires for our life is different. This creates a conflict between the flesh (natural man) and the spirit (spiritual man).

Apostle Paul warned us of this conflict when he said everything the flesh desires goes against the Spirit, and everything the Spirit desires goes against the flesh. There’s a constant battle raging between them that prevents us from doing the good we want to do.   Galatians 5:17

Apostle Paul recognized there’s a continuing struggle of the flesh against the spirit in matters relating to the fulfilling of God's will. He identified this struggle as taking place in the mind:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  Romans 7:23

Because of this he urged:  

us to offer our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; to know this is our reasonable and necessary worship. Because of this, we can’t allow this world to mold us in its own image. Instead, we have to be transformed from the inside out by renewing our mind.   That’s when we’ll be able to discern what God wills and do whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.  Romans 12:1-2

 Apostle Paul is beseeching us; which means he is pleading, imploring, or begging. The phrase "present your bodies a living sacrifice" indicates an unreserved surrender to God.

 To offer something for a sacrifice means to give it up completely. In the Old Testament when a sacrifice was made, it was given completely to God to be burned with fire, consumed by the priest, or both, as the law indicated. The giver of the sacrifice had no further claim to it.

 So, it must be in our surrender to God; a total surrender; a release of our will to God’s will.   There is a way; a manner that this is done.  We must change first through our efforts:

if our life is just about satisfying the impulses of our sinful nature, then prepare to die. But, if we’ve invited the Spirit to destroy these selfish desires, we’ll experience life. Romans 8:13

We have to kill our earthly impulses: loose sex, impure actions, unbridled sensuality, wicked thoughts, and greed (which is essentially idolatry).  We need to avoid these things at all costs; it’s because of these that God’s wrath is coming [upon the sons and daughters of disobedience].   Colossians 3:5-6

The natural man, the old self nature, must die to the world and the flesh and succumb to the will of God. This is what is meant by "transformation." It is being changed into another image that is patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ.  Apostle Paul gets it, he said I have been crucified with Jesus —I’m no longer alive—but Jesus is living in me; and whatever life I have left in this failing body I live by the faithfulness of God’s Son, the One who loves me and gave His body on the cross for me.  Galatians 2:20

They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh.  Galatians 5:24

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.   1 Corinthians 9:27

 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Romans 6:12

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.   2 Corinthians 7:1

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin.   Romans 6:11

As we succumb to the wisdom of God; come into agreement by faith and acceptance, we find our life; our physical, mental and emotional state, in a much better place because we are no longer warring in our spirt and we are at peace with the entreaty from God:

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  James 3:17

Actual physical crucifixion, as Jesus experienced, is an unnatural death. There is significance in the fact that the death prescribed for the self-nature is crucifixion. The fleshly nature of man will never die a natural death. It will not die voluntarily. It must be put to death by force just as in actual crucifixion in the natural world. 

As Apostle Paul lets us know, such surrender precedes the knowledge of God's will. If we want to know God's voice and His will, we must first surrender. We often want to reverse the process. We want to know His will, then decide if we will surrender to it. But our ways are not God's ways and He says through His word to surrender and be transformed by the renewing of our mind first and then we will come to know His good, acceptable and perfect will.  

The reason we are hesitant about surrender is because we do not understand God's will is always, good, acceptable and perfect. We are afraid to surrender to God totally because we have not grasped this basic concept; this declaration from God towards us:   

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.   Jeremiah 29:11

To be in God's divine will, we must totally surrender to Him; consecrate our self for Him – to a new and living way.  To serve God better in the future is the reason we’re here today; seeking God in a very solemn way, taking heed to the things we do and say.  Offering ourself to Him.  Realizing now that's God we need and with His help we deny ourself and put our hands in His.

 

That's growing up in God. 

 

* Positioned in God

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

Has anyone noticed the spiritual warfare that we are in?  There is a clarion call that has gone out and the question is are we, the children of God, the body of Christ prepared for the battle; are we prepared to take our stance against the enemy, be effective in a Godly way and represent God well?

It takes a spiritually mature person to be effective in the battle.  Spiritual maturity keeps us in our place.  It keeps us aligned with the will of God.  We won’t be like Absalom unskilled in the place he found himself in and we won’t be like the young soldier (Ahimaaz); eager to run but with nothing to offer or give when we get there.  (2 Samuel 18)

Spiritually mature people know their place.  Just as in heaven, not all angels are called to play the harp and sing, some are called for battle.  So is it with man.  We’re all uniquely positioned, just as the angels are, according to the will of God.  The angels are assigned various tasks; not all are called directly to battle like Michael or messengers like Gabriel or to kill like Raphael and neither are we.  But whatever area we’re called to, we have to be proficient in that area.

It takes spiritual maturity to enter the arena of spiritual warfare.  Spiritual maturity comes about through teaching, testing and training.  It takes selah moments of rest, refreshing and instruction.  We need this before we can be perfected to the point where we’re now ready to be deployed and used for the purpose God intends.

Spiritual maturity, doesn’t come by maintaining a set of standards. It’s possible for a person to maintain standards that give an outward spiritual appearance yet be carnal; having the appearance of being sweetly saved and cleaned up on the outside but filthy on the inside.  

In the midst of these unprecedented times, we find ourselves in, it’s in our selah moments, we’re given time to make sure that we’re spiritually proficient; that we’re spiritually mature; ready to stand against what is to come and not only stand against, but to go forth with our purpose in God.  Some of us have been called off the battlefield, some of us have been called in; some are newly inducted . . ., but where ever we find ourself at this point, it’s a time to grow in God.  For some of us, it is time to get off the milk and take in the meat!

Just a little recap on spiritual maturity; spiritual maturity doesn’t mean

®     advancing in God's favor, 

®     It doesn’t mean the work of salvation is incomplete,

®     It most certainly doesn’t mean that ‘we’ve arrived.’  

We can’t think for a moment that it’s our doing when the bible says:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8

®     Spiritual maturity doesn’t automatically gain us access to Heaven, because this was done through the completed work of the cross; the death and resurrection of  Jesus Christ.

It’s only through Jesus that we’re justified before God.  It’s what the bible tells us:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:23-25

So, if it’s not the number of years that we’ve been in Christ and it’s not our works, what makes us spiritually mature?  We’re going to get to that.  I remember the singer, Mahalia Jackson, sang a song, that says, ‘I found the Answer; I learned to Pray’.   She found that the answer to her dilemmas was prayer. Well, I have one good scripture for you that’ll answer that question regarding how to get to spiritual maturity. 

Spiritual maturity is a good thing; it advances us in God’s kingdom.  Spiritual maturity involves a right personal relationship (willingly submissive and obedient) with God that also includes sincere prayer and a sanctified life. If we’re to lead others in the ways of God, we have to communicate with Him daily and have intimate knowledge of His Word. Let me tell you, we can attend leadership seminars, go to college, and read all kinds of books on leading souls to Christ – and God bless us for that; I’m all for schooling, advanced education, higher education – but, unless we continue to seek the Lord, our ministry based on human intellect alone will fail.

Spiritual maturity doesn’t depend on how we feel emotionally. It doesn’t come automatically through years of believing in Jesus.  We know what the bible says:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. . .   James 2:19-20

. . . or by Christian service.

Spiritual maturity comes through an increase in and application of spiritual knowledge.

This increase in knowledge comes by study of God's Word which results in understanding of the processes for spiritual maturity and the statues of God. Personal application of what we learn leads to spiritual maturity through the enabling power of God and His Holy Spirit. 

It’s a promise from God that He’ll see us through all that we come against; everything that we are faced with; good and bad as long as we have faith in Him and acknowledge Him.  The bible tells us that as long as we are on this journey from earth to heaven, we’re to Place our trust in God; rely on Him completely and never depend upon our own ideas and inventions.  We’re to give Him the credit for everything we accomplish.  And in doing this, He’ll smooth out and straighten the road that lies before us.  Proverbs 3:5-6

We have to always keep the sovereignty of God in mind just because we have a tendency to want to do things the way we want to, when we want to and how we want to.  But, the word of God plainly lets us know through various illustrations that God’s intentions are not always ours, He doesn’t go about things as we do. Not only that, His ways are above and beyond ours; just as heaven is far beyond our reach here on earth.  Isaiah 55:8-9

It would greatly benefit us to rely upon the wisdom of God; seek His guidance in all that we do.  God lets us know that this is good advice and strongly encouraged. 

We don’t stop when we give our life to God; that’s just the beginning.  We must go on to perfection [spiritual maturity]. Initial perfection from sin at the time of salvation is just the start of a progressive life of sanctification. After salvation, we are to live a new life in Christ.  Apostle Paul tells us:

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.  Galatians 2:20

So, as I’ve said, spiritual maturity comes from a relationship with God that includes faith, trust, prayer, meditation as well as application of His written Word.

Think about this, Apostle Paul calls the believers "saints" which means "sanctified ones.”

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:   1 Corinthians 1:2

Yet in the same letter he corrects these "saints" because of sin.  

Now I beseech we, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among we; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of we, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among we.  1 Corinthians 1:10-11

 

They were believers and sanctified in Christ, but some of them were not living right in their daily conduct. These believers had received the initial step to spiritual perfection. They were forgiven of their sins through redemption from dead works. These sins were forgiven once and for all.

 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

This initial step was received at the time they accepted Jesus as Savior. But these believers hadn’t yet achieved spiritual maturity.  They hadn’t continued to put off the "old man" of sin:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.   Romans 6:6

Apostle Paul described progressive perfection in his own life: 

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:12

So, we must continuously follow after Jesus.  In the natural world, God has provided strategies that open the door for spiritual growth.  These strategies help us in our growth in spiritual maturity.  When we get to the point that we’re applying these strategies in our life at all times, we’re maintaining our spiritual fitness.  So, let’s look at this life scripture:    

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Let's consider this passage and the keys that it contains.  The first strategy is:

®     Trust

We can’t be fearful of what God may ask of us. Know that His plan for us is best. Certainly, men should be able to trust one who would give His only Son to die for them. Our trust must be in the Lord and not in man. 

We get admonishment from the young prophet Jeremiah who spoke the words of God:

Thus saith the Lord, Cursed  be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.   Jeremiah 17:5

We can look to King David's whose trust was in God.  He said:

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.  Psalms 20:7

King David had come to a point in his life, with all that he had gone through, his love/hate relationship with King Saul, all the individual and collective battles that he endured, where he knew that trusting God was his only option after all that he had been through with God at his side. 

And not just King David, we can look at Moses, Paul, Elijah, Job, who, because of their various experiences, learned to put all of their trust in God.

The second strategy is:

®     Lean Not to Our Own Understanding

How many of us think we know it all or that we have everything under control?  You may know more than many, but we’ll never know more than God.   That’s why we can’t depend on our own human reasoning. This doesn’t mean there’s no place for intelligent reasoning. The book of Proverbs is filled with instructions to use understanding and common sense. God’s not saying we should abandon rational or sane judgment. But He does admonish us to not depend solely on human reasoning when we’re seeking the will of God.

An excellent account of this is Abraham in his fear that his wife; Sarah’s, beauty would put him in danger when they arrived in Egypt because he might be killed if the king desired his wife for himself. This wasn’t an unrealistic fear, given how ruthless royalty could be in those days.  (Genesis 12)

Because it wasn’t God's way to deal in subterfuge – in deceit – and because Abraham had put the Egyptians in danger through no fault of their own and judgment fell, God had to intervene and set things right.  Abraham used his own reason regarding the situation he was in and made a decision based on that instead of consulting with God.  He not only did not have the thought of God; his way was not the way of God.  This is an important principle of guidance:  pause and get the instructions from God before we make a move.

 The 3^rd and last strategy is:

              ®     In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him

To acknowledge God in all ways is to honor Him in thought, word, and deed. Give Him first place in our life:  Our life in God is to be of the most importance; far above anything else in our life.

That in all things He might have the preeminence.  Colossians 1:18

We can look at Joshua on his journey in maturing with God.  You can find one such account in Joshua 9.

A spiritually mature person doesn’t get caught up in the number of victories, doesn’t think they have ‘arrived’ because of their victories.  They know that the victories were all gained because of and through God.  So what do we learn from this lesson – the very fact that strangers had come into the camp; red flags should have went up.  The sob story and pleas for an alliance should have immediately called for a consultation with God.  A spiritually mature person is not easily deceived by the slights of the enemy; not through his words or his deeds.

But, because he didn’t consult with God, his decision resulted in an alliance with an ungodly nation, something which was forbidden by God.   Joshua 9

So, we’re back to the question, how do we gain spiritual maturity?

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. . .

Lean not to thine own understanding. . .

In all thy ways acknowledge Him . . .

 That opens the door. . .  And He shall direct thy paths.

Learn and apply this scripture.  It leads to experience which grows us in God which in turn leads us to spiritual maturity which then allows us to be effective in spiritual warfare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* It's Not too Late to Begin Where You Are

 

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  Proverbs 16:3

Sometimes we have good ideas or we may feel led by God to do a certain thing and yet it is not panning out for us the way we thought it would go.  Could it be that we forget that it is God who is in complete control and if we want to be successful in Him, we not only submit our plans to God, but we commit the works of our plans to Him.  Whatever we do, we do it as service to God who will guarantee our success.  Have we set God as the center of our life?  That’s a concept that we often fail to grasp and hold onto.  Many of us, including myself, are controlling when it comes to our life and won’t relinquish that hold to anyone.  And as an adult I understand that, but God is not anybody – He is the sovereign one that is always moving and working – oftentimes – behind the scenes; the landscapes of our life.   And because we don’t realize that, we think we’re fighting the enemy when in reality we are striving against God operating in our lives – orchestrating things according to His will.

It takes faith to believe that when we put God in charge of our work, then what we’ve planned will take place.  The other piece to this is that even when control issues are not the problem, we come up against the feeling of unworthiness because of things we may have said, done or thought in the past.  But let me assure you God lets us know through His word:

It's because of the Lord's mercies that we’re not consumed, that his compassions fail not.  They’re new every morning: great is His faithfulness towards us.  Lamentations 3:22-23

As long as we’re breathing, don’t ever think that you’ve done so bad or waited too late to live out your spiritual desires or act on the plan that God has given you.  Sometimes we need a ‘God’ moment or an ‘aha’ moment or a ‘come to Jesus’ moment; whatever moment it may be, we should do our due diligence, like the prodigal son and repent of any wrongdoing – for not trusting God; for striving against Him – and confess and ask God for forgiveness and return back to your rightful place in God; that place where you got off the path in your actions or your thoughts so you can get back on the right tract.  Just think about it; if you don’t know where you went left, how can you get right?    If we know where we went left and don’t go back and correct it, we’re still not right.  As long as we’re breathing and receiving of the new mercy that God gives every morning, we have the opportunity to get on the right tract. 

You may be thinking ‘but I haven’t done anything wrong’ and yet things are not coming to fruition.  I still say hold on and wait on God; commit your thoughts to Him and it will come to pass according to His will; if it is to be.  Remember, it’s our work that we commit to God but we do it according to His will.  No time is ever lost in waiting for God to reveal or execute His plan for us when we’re sincere in our efforts, faithful; loyal to God.  By patiently waiting, by the mercy of God and the truth of His word, iniquity is purged: and in this meantime, we move further and further from ungodliness [Proverbs 16:6] and position ourselves to move forward in God.

All along the way, as we traverse this journey, leaning on God each step of the way, we stumble, we faint, sometimes we fall, we repent, we get back up, sometimes we fall again and we get back up again, but we’re transitioning ever more into the image of God; that time was not wasted as God matures us in Him; as we’re being converted.  We can look at men in the bible who despite what they went through; what they experienced, how they waited on God to show up, lead and guide them in the way that they should go. 

Men like Joseph who waited in prison for two years, but then emerged to save a nation.  He was being transitioned from the spoiled son of a rich daddy to a man of integrity; so that when he was set in a place of power and authority and God’s chosen was in need of help, he was able and willing to provide the necessary aid without deceit, malice or anger.

We can always look at Moses, a man who was swathed in luxury from infancy to manhood; how he fled his home and waited in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years, but emerged to lead a nation in a great spiritual exodus from slavery to freedom. 

These 2 men walked carefully before God.  They developed a relationship with God just as we should.  The bible tells us that we should be careful how we live; to be mindful of our steps. We shouldn’t run around foolishly like the world does. Instead, we’re to walk as the wise; those that reverence God.  We should make the most of every living, breathing moment we have because these are evil times we live in. We need to understand and be confident in God’s will so that we don’t live thoughtlessly.  [Ephesians 5:15-17]

We can’t and shouldn’t wait until we feel like we’re perfect in our own eyes, we should begin right now, today,

Ø               BEGIN RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE:

          √       Obey God daily in the little things of everyday life

This is what Samuel had to tell King Saul about his disobedience:  . . .Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, it’s hard to obey God when we’re not clear on what He is saying but we still have no excuse because He also says and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (1 Samuel 15:22) Hearken means to listen carefully, to give due attention, to give strict mindfulness to.

What do I get out of that in terms of obedience is this:  Religious observance (in this case, the burnt offerings) without obedience is empty before God. The best sacrifice we can bring to God is a repentant heart.  I found in His word where it says:

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

and not only that, our bodies surrendered to His service for obedience:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

If we’re not faithful over the little things God gives us to do right where we are, He’ll not entrust a greater call or ministry to us.  That’s bible, read Matthew 25:14-30 regarding the management of the talents.

We can take that parable and apply it to our everyday life.  All we have to do is simply look around our city with "spiritual" eyes and think what God has commissioned us to do. Ask God to show us those in need of the Gospel.  This is something we, as believers, should always be doing; increasing the talents.  

Be willing to go and be used anywhere by God.  God placed a desire on Nehemiah’s heart but Nehemiah was beholden to the King and couldn’t just pick up and go where he pleased, but his desire was so great that He asked the king:

. . . If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.  (Nehemiah 2:5)

This was determination and a willingness to do what God had purposed for him.  He was unwilling to let anything stop him – no matter what the obstacles were; and there were many.  He didn’t stop, he continued on.

This might mean leaving our own area and going to another area to spread the Gospel. It might mean just walking down the street to share the Gospel with someone in need.  We do all this while we’re waiting on God to show up in our work.

          √       We should start or continue to study the word of God and                         seek Him concerning our call. 

. . . but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Joshua 1:8

          √       Spend daily time in prayer.  

Ask God to stir up the giftings inside you.  If you know your spiritual gifting, exercise it or them as God prompts you. 

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  Romans 11:29

Seek further training to prepare yourself.  Whatever area of your calling you feel you are lacking in, seek to improve in it.    

Ø               RECOGNIZE THE CORPORATE CALL OF GOD:

Remember no matter what our particular calling may be, every believer is called to share the Gospel with others right where they are.   Concerning the specific call on your life, there are certain principles by which we can be sure of the calling God gives us.   

 Ask yourself these questions:

*        Does what we desire to do agree with God's general plan as set forth in His Word? Is it Scriptural and does it contribute towards the goal of reaching the world with the Gospel?

*        Do the circumstances of our life agree with the leading of God? Let me caution you here not be led by circumstances alone, but examine these in terms of what you believe to be your calling from God.

*        Does the Holy Spirit bear continual witness with our spirit that this is the will of God? Lack of peace in our spirit is often a warning sign that we are making a wrong decision.

*        Are we still "called" when there is no challenge of adventure or glamour connected with our call? If called to an insignificant task or field of service, are we willing to go?

*        Are we willing to pay any price to fulfill the call God has given us? The price may range from obtaining further education to dying a martyr's death. It may mean leaving home, family, and friends. Are we willing?

Ø   KNOW THAT GOD HAS ORDAINED YOU

Jesus has chosen us to be part of His plan for reaching the world with the good news. He has ordained that we bring forth spiritual fruit from the harvest fields.  As we see things from a godly perspective, we can understand what Jesus meant when he said: 

. . . I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: . . .   John 15:16

Let me conclude by saying this:  Everything that we do is for the glory of God, the promotion of the Kingdom of God and the winning of lost souls to the Kingdom. 

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.  John 4:35

Everything that we desire to do for God should be based on this premise and most assuredly, everything God has for us to do is based on this premise.  He has promised to supply anything we need to enable us to complete the task:

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that YE should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it we.   (John 15:16)

Commit your ways, your plans, your very life to God and wait on Him.