Never Say Never

My Utmost For His Highest

‘Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32).[..] We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has “laid hold of” us.[..] we never have this thought, “Well, I’m really not suited for this.” […]  Never water down the Word of God, but preach it in its undiluted sternness. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God’ CHAMBERS

Never Choose.  I have met people serving in very difficult circumstances .. in the name of God but not in the power of God.  During the Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi, there were many people who came to help.  In some cases, they had the skills needed to build a house for example .. but they lacked the influence of Spirit so there was no eternal quality to what they did.  I am not suggesting the house they built would last forever if they were a Christian, but there were no spiritual seeds planted  … no light shining in the darkness … they had nothing eternal to offer the people they were helping.  God chooses you .. not the other way around … and when He does .. He will give you the spiritual power you need to accomplish His purpose.  Remember that, as a Christian, you have more to offer than a hand up – although you must meet the need also if you have it.

James 2:15-16  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  (16)  and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

But also remember the much more ......

Acts 3:4-8  And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."  (5)  So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.  (6)  Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."  (7)  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  (8)  So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.

Never have this thought. When God calls you to do something .. it is always God sized .. beyond you … that means that you will be stretched in your faith .. tested in your resolve … you, by yourself, are never able to do what God called you to do …

Zechariah 4:6  […] “'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.”

When your knees get weak under the load that the Lord has placed on you .. remember when we are weak .. He is strong … that it is God and not us … The people of Israel refused to cross the Jordan because they were not focused on God but on themselves .. “We are like grasshoppers!”

Joshua 1:9  ‘Have I [God] not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Oh there is much more that can be said .. but that is for another time ..

Never water down the Word.  There are times when I am teaching or just talking that the Word comes to my mind .. but I think “To speak this now might offend someone .. or they will think that I am too stern .. or a fanatic.”  But when I do not say what the Lord has given me to say, I sin.  I miss the very eternal purpose that I am in that place at that moment.  I am more concerned about men and what they might do or think than about God and His eternal purposes.

We are admonished to “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)  But we must speak …. That does not mean that we should change what we know must be said so as to make it somehow softer .. easier to swallow … like blending food for a baby so it can eat a carrot …

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We must respect the power of the Spirit and the Word .. but we must do more that hold a high opinion of them, we must also obey them.  You do no favor by withholding the truth that the Spirit of God has prompted you to share … but it should never be with the intent to harm .. but always to move that person closer to an awareness of God …

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)