It's About The Cross

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘[…] Pay attention to the external Source and the internal power will be there. We lose power because we don’t focus on the right thing. The effect of the Cross is salvation, sanctification, healing, etc., but we are not to preach any of these. We are to preach “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The proclaiming of Jesus will do its own work. Concentrate on God’s focal point in your preaching, and even if your listeners seem to pay it no attention, they will never be the same again. If I share my own words, they are of no more importance than your words are to me. But if we share the truth of God with one another, we will encounter it again and again. We have to focus on the great point of spiritual power— the Cross. If we stay in contact with that center of power, its energy is released in our lives. In holiness movements and spiritual experience meetings, the focus tends to be put not on the Cross of Christ but on the effects of the Cross.’ CHAMBERS

 

I was at a church yesterday, where a Haitian friend and co-laborer was preaching.  This man is not eloquent .. but God has gifted him as an evangelist.  As he preached, I watched the people respond to his words.  Not really his words, but God was speaking through him.  At the end of his sermon, he asked if anyone would like to receive Christ and two young men raised their hands. He prayed with them and then asked me to pray for them.  Then another man came forward asking for prayer so we prayed for him, then a woman came forward asking that I pray for her arm.  What was happening was that there was a focus on “the great spiritual power of God” and not on what men might do.  The tone of the service shifted from merely singing songs and listening to a preacher to experiencing God moving in the midst of the people.  The people were aware that the Spirit of God was at work …. It was very, very good.

 

That is the way it should be in our lives every day .. the energy of the Spirit, “released in our lives.”  We, evangelical Americans, have God in a box … where what He does in our lives can be controlled.  If we need some God, we just pour some out .. not too much, just one serving will do.  I want to encourage you to let God bring your life to overflowing with His presence.  Focus on the Cross and the power of the resurrection.  Let God loose in your life.  God is good …He loves you …..  and really does have a wonderful plan for your life.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)