Something to Shout About

My Utmost For His Highest

“You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” —Isaiah 52:12

“God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present. […] Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” CHAMBERS

We must be careful that we don’t let our past sins become the reason we say “no” to God today.  The Bible is full of examples of people that God used in a mighty way who had done terrible things .. committed great sins … and yet, they found forgiveness and were given a new start as they walked with God.  There were some things that they could not do because sins do have consequences.  To imagine that we can do anything and it not affect others is an attempt to justify our sins .. to make an excuse for what we have done.

Confession – means to agree with God.  We must lay all of our excuses aside and understand that we are no different from anyone else.  All have sinned .. there is none righteous .. only Jesus … and in Him we can be assured of forgiveness.  Forgiveness means that we are no longer facing the penalty for those sins.

Psalm 103:8-18  "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts"

 

We don’t have to be enslaved by what sins we have committed in the past, but can be free to live for God by His grace and mercy for eternity.  Now that is something to shout about.

 

Here is a verse for 2014 and the rest of your life …

 

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

A Great Reason To Celebrate

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘His Birth in Me. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you . . .” (Galatians 4:19). Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that “Christ is formed” in me. And once “Christ is formed” in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.’ CHAMBERS

 

Last night at our Christmas party with the children, I asked the children why we were celebrating.  One answered, because Jesus Christ was born.  I then asked who could recite John 3:16 in Creole.  Many hands went up.  Mostly from those who have given their hearts to the Lord over the past year. I explained to them that Christmas was the beginning of the fulfillment of John 3:16.  That God sent His Son to the earth because He loves us.

 

As I type these words, most of those who will read them are still sleeping.  But when you awaken today, you will celebrate Christmas with your families.  I want to encourage you to not miss the opportunity to share the Good News with them.  Not only that Jesus was born into the world in the flesh, but that Jesus died on the cross for our sin and rose again so that we could have eternal life. Now there is a great reason to celebrate.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

God Loves You And Don't You Forget It!

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“The Spirit of God testifies to and confirms the simple, but almighty, security of the life that “is hidden with Christ in God.” Paul continually brought this out in his New Testament letters. We talk as if living a sanctified life were the most uncertain and insecure thing we could do. Yet it is the most secure thing possible, because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The most dangerous and unsure thing is to try to live without God.” CHAMBERS

 

When you think of living the Christian life, do you see levels of living? In other words, there are certain levels that Christians live on.  Some are very close to God and others are relegated to live at a distance.  You are still in the same area, just not as close as some people are.  You can’t imagine yourself of ever being really close … you have too many issues for that. So you decide to be content with your life as it is.  As a friend of ours says .. “That is stinkin’ thinkin’”

 

You are a child of the King.  (1 John 3:1) You are not a step child.  You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3-6) You get a front row seat … not because of how good you are, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus.  You are loved! Give thanks to Jesus this holiday season. And praise God with your life.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

This World Is Not My Home - I Am Just Passing Through

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“Do I have even the slightest interest in the death of Jesus? Do I want to be identified with His death— to be completely dead to all interest in sin, worldliness, and self? Do I long to be so closely identified with Jesus that I am of no value for anything except Him and His purposes? The great privilege of discipleship is that I can commit myself under the banner of His Cross, and that means death to sin. You must get alone with Jesus and either decide to tell Him that you do not want sin to die out in you, or that at any cost you want to be identified with His death. When you act in confident faith in what our Lord did on the cross, a supernatural identification with His death takes place immediately. And you will come to know through a higher knowledge that your old life was “crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6). The proof that your old life is dead, having been “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20), is the amazing ease with which the life of God in you now enables you to obey the voice of Jesus Christ.” CHAMBERS

 

When you identify yourself as a Christian, do you really appreciate what that means?  To be completely dead to all interest in sin, worldliness and self. Just like Jesus.  Not to say that you live a sinless life, but you know that God is doing a work in you .. shaping you … molding you  .. into the image of His Son. For the most part, Christians in the United States have been shielded from persecution for their faith.  But I can see a shift in the wind.  The culture we live in today, rejects the authority of the Bible and clings to the wisdom of man and the lusts of the flesh.  As a Christian, you must make choices. You are called to a life that means you may not be accepted … you may be rejected .. you may be persecuted for what you believe.

 

To be crucified with Christ … to be identified with Him is to welcome the rejection as affirmation that the Word is true.  That your faith has substance.  That the world needs a savior, just as much today as it did during the darkest times in the past.  Your challenge will be the same challenge that Peter faced when Jesus was arrested. “Hey isn’t that one of those Jesus followers?” “Uh, no! I am not one of them.  Are you kidding me?” Or will you stand as Stephen did, with your eyes fixed on your Lord with no worry about what the world may say or do?  This world is not your home.  You may live in the United States, but your citizenship is in heaven.

 

John 15:18-21  "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”

 

“This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thru, My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Making Choices

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“Belief must come from the will to believe. There must be a surrender of the will, not a surrender to a persuasive or powerful argument. I must deliberately step out, placing my faith in God and in His truth. And I must place no confidence in my own works, but only in God. Trusting in my own mental understanding becomes a hindrance to complete trust in God. I must be willing to ignore and leave my feelings behind. I must will to believe. But this can never be accomplished without my forceful, determined effort to separate myself from my old ways of looking at things. I must surrender myself completely to God.” CHAMBERS

 

Yesterday on our way to Port au Prince, we stopped at a little restaurant run by a Christian ministry. As I waited for our order to be put together, I noticed Proverbs 3:5-6 written on their chalkboard menu.  I told the woman serving me that it was one of my favorite verses.  It was a pleasant reminder that God is my source for everything … He is the provider … driving around Haiti there are constant written reminders of God’s presence.  On trucks, buses, and even business names (Merci Jezi [thank you Jesus] Auto Parts).  But at the same time that you see so much written – public acknowledgement of Jesus and the Father, there is clearly a lack of living in obedience to the Word of God.  It is the same way in the U.S. We have built expensive monuments to God – churches – we have put acknowledgement to God even on our money …. but when you look at the culture and what it says is right and what it does … we see a clear lack of obedience.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is about trusting choosing God’s way or choosing man’s way.  You face that choice every day, many times during the day. It is a decision of your will.  It starts with laying down the rights to your life .. every day. To trust God means to choose Him over yourself … to reject your feelings and desires and to choose God instead.  It seems to be a difficult life to many because they do not want to give their life up.

 

Jesus said “ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)

 

I SURRENDER ALL  “All to Jesus I surrender.  All to Him I freely give.  I will ever love and trust Him.  In His presence daily live.  I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all”

 

That song is usually sung at the end of a service to encourage  the unsaved to place their faith in Jesus.  Perhaps it should be sung at the beginning of the service instead .. for everyone.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Stand Up For Jesus

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way— not in a human way that ignores God. The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner. But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified— to lift Him up all the time (see 1 Corinthians 2:2).’ CHAMBERS

 

We must be very careful that we don’t compromise our faith … our witness … the purpose of God with our natural sympathy … with our desire to not judge others … recognizing sin and naming it, is not judging . condemning is.  We do the person a grave injustice of we “go along” with the self-deception they are living .. that what they are doing .. their life style .. is acceptable to God when the Word of God says that it is not.  Our mission is to point people to Jesus.  Jesus never ignored the sin … but His focus was always on the heart of the person and their need to repent.

 

The world abounds in sin .. I think the world has accepted sin as inescapable and believes that nothing can be done to change its domination.  We have Good News, don’t we?  Jesus Saves.  We, who were once bound as they are, have been freed from sin through Jesus Christ.

 

Don’t expect everyone to rejoice in hearing what you have to say.  Don’t be afraid to stand for what you know is true.  Although some will revile you … reject you because of what you believe, there are those who will rejoice at the news and turn to Jesus.  You cannot tell them apart from all the rest.  So you must be ready tell when the opportunity comes … you must be living the same life you are telling them to choose … and be ready for whatever happens … rejection or rejoicing … in either way, God will be glorified through you. Remember Who is on your side!

 

Matthew 10:28  “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul [the world]. But rather fear Him [Jehovah God] who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

"Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.  Lift high the royal banner, you will not suffer loss ... "

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You

God Can Change Your Spots

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘If a person cannot go to God, it is because he has something secret which he does not intend to give up— he may admit his sin, but would no more give up that thing than he could fly under his own power. It is impossible to deal sympathetically with people like that. We must reach down deep in their lives to the root of the problem, which will cause hostility and resentment toward the message. People want the blessing of God, but they can’t stand something that pierces right through to the heart of the matter.’ CHAMBERS

 

There is a difference between confession and repentance. There may be matters in your life that you admit are wrong or unhealthy … sinful.  But they are part of what defines you.  Perhaps character traits that were shaped when you were young.  They have become interwoven into the fabric of your personality and thinking.  You know that those things are contrary to the Word of God, but you cling to them anyway.  Making excuses – “That is just the way I am.” Or “I can’t help myself.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are new creations in Christ.  To say that God is not able to change those things is to deny His power and His nature.  A leopard may not be able to change its spots, but God can change yours.  We know He can …. The core of the problem is fear … a lack of faith … a divided love between God and what made you feel safe and secure before you were a Christian.  We must always ask ourselves this question ‘Does my life .. what I just said or thought or did .. does that glorify God?’  If it does not .. we must reject those things, confess, repent and trust.  It is time to stop making excuses and let your light shine.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You

Being Faithful in the Storms of Life

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God . . .” —Romans 8:28

 

‘It is only a faithful person who truly believes that God sovereignly controls his circumstances. We take our circumstances for granted, saying God is in control, but not really believing it. We act as if the things that happen were completely controlled by people. To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, or object of our faith— the Lord Jesus Christ. God may cause our circumstances to suddenly fall apart, which may bring the realization of our unfaithfulness to Him for not recognizing that He had ordained the situation. […] The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as He used His own Son.’ CHAMBERS

 

When you are in the midst of turmoil, it is often difficult to remember that God is sovereign.  I have read about Peter walking on the water .. about the disciples fearing for their lives in the storm.  Frankly, I thought .. but Jesus was there .. why did they worry … they could see Him what was their problem?  But in the same way, Jesus is with us .. God never leaves us .. even in the storms, especially in the storms.  So why do we worry when we find ourselves in one? I had something come up this week.  I did not see it coming. As I wondered why and what I could do about it, the Spirit prompted me with realization that this was an opportunity for the name of Jesus to be lifted up .. for God to be glorified … but I had to keep a spiritual perspective. Jesus asked some piercing questions .. “Why did you doubt?” “Where is your faith?” “Do you love Me?”

 

Perhaps you are in the middle of a difficult time.  The natural thing is to focus on the people involved or the circumstances.  To wonder how you are going to "fix" the problem.  But God says … “Trust in Me” “Do not let your heart be troubled” “Don’t be anxious about anything.” He causes all things to work together for good .. for His purposes.  You can count on it.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Time To Get Real

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).’ CHAMBERS

 

Do you want to impact others for eternity?  Lift Jesus up.  God may have saved you out of a terrible situation .. but it was your faith in Jesus that was and is the most important part of your story .. not the mess you were before you were saved.  You were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb … Jesus sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection.  John 14:6 says Jesus is the way, truth and life … there is no other way to heaven .. to the Father. People are struggling all around you.  It is not your words and your experience that will help them .. it is salvation … It’s Jesus.

 

Focus on the Family has a study series called the Truth Project.  The central question posed by the teacher is this “Do you believe, that what you believe, is really real?”  Real means you accept it as truth and act on it … your faith in Jesus is not just something that is nice to think about … something that has no practical value for life on earth.  And if you believe it is “really real”  then you will reflect that reality in how you live, what you do. And if you do that .. your life will shine like a bright light in the midst of your spiritually dark culture.  God will use your life as a means to cause people to look up .. to turn to Jesus.  You are lifting Jesus up through your obedience to the Word.  Your words will not save others .. it is the Gospel …

 

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”  Let your light shine today.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

What To Do In An Emergency

My Utmost For His Highest

‘We should not be spineless and automatically say, “Yes, it is the Lord’s will.” We don’t have to fight or wrestle with God, but we must wrestle before God with things. Beware of lazily giving up. Instead, put up a glorious fight and you will find yourself empowered with His strength.’ CHAMBERS

 

When I was learning to fly the Chinook, CH47, my instructor was  Dudley Moss.  He told me that he had trained Iranian pilots (under the Shah’s Regime).  He said that one day they had an emergency in the aircraft and the Iranian student took his hands off of the controls and said “Allah Wills”.  Dudley said, “Allah may will for you to die today, but not for me!” He took the controls and safely landed the helicopter.

 

In the operator’s or pilot’s manual for every helicopter is a chapter on emergency procedures.  What you must do if you have a problem – an emergency.

 

In the same way, the Bible is our manual, written by God, for how we are to live and respond to life's events.  And when we face a problem, and we most certainly will, we should do what the Bible says to do.  Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the full armor of God … to dress ourselves spiritually … and then to stand and pray.  We are not to simply say “Allah Wills”.  Remember ....

 

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

 

Psalm 9:9 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,  a stronghold in times of trouble.”

 

“You are my strength when I am weak.  You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all.  Seeking you like a precious jewel.  Lord to give up I’d be a fool.  You are my all in all.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

When Trouble Comes ..

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus. Whenever peace does not come, wait until it does, or seek to find out why it is not coming. If you are acting on your own impulse, or out of a sense of the heroic, to be seen by others, the peace of Jesus will not exhibit itself. This shows no unity with God or confidence in Him. The spirit of simplicity, clarity, and unity is born through the Holy Spirit, not through your decisions. God counters our self-willed decisions with an appeal for simplicity and unity.’ CHAMBERS

 

Have you experienced turmoil in your heart? Anxiety, frustration, confusion … problems with others … disappointments in life and ambitions .. all us have experienced these things.  Jesus said that while we are in the world we will have troubles .. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Jesus was talking to the disciples about His leaving and the Spirit coming, about the disciples facing difficult times.

 

As much as you want to be in control of what happens around you, you are not.  When you find yourself in a difficult situation … trust God and not yourself.  The problem may not go away, but how you feel inside will change.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit .. the result of walking by faith in God … That is not to say you should be a leaf in the wind, letting people take advantage of you … but to say … obey the Word of God .. do what it says … look to Jesus no matter what happens.  Recall that everyone around Job was troubled but Job trusted God and His wisdom.  His friends said he had trouble because of sin … sometimes our sin causes the troubles we have … if so we should confess them before God and repent … and accept that we may have to live with the consequence of that sin. But even then we can have the peace of God. But sin or no sin .. trouble will come your way.

 

I saw a bumper sticker that said …  No Jesus – No Peace .. Know Jesus – Know Peace.

 

Keep Trusting

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

A Missed Opportunity

My Utmost For His Highest

‘You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption. Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God. …What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply “patched up.” We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.’ CHAMBERS

 

Have you ever talked with someone, read an email or a Facebook post .. where they conveyed some hardship that they faced and you responded that you would pray for them? And then you didn’t pray for them?  In fact, 5 minutes later you could not even tell me what it was they needed prayer about.  What you were doing was conveying sympathy with a Christian twist.  Often times the words “I’ll pray for you” simply means I am sorry you are having that trouble.

 

Here is the solution.  First, you must believe that prayer matters.  Second, your heart must be right before God. Third, you should pray right then.  Just say .. “let’s pray right now” and pray.  Face to face, face to email, or face to book … it doesn’t matter … communicate a prayer to God and to that person.  You will point them to God.  Encourage them to draw close to Him.  It is an opportunity for ministry and witnessing to God’s sufficiency.  Don’t miss it!

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Can You Pass The Test?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Personality is the characteristic mark of the inner, spiritual man, just as individuality is the characteristic of the outer, natural man. Our Lord can never be described in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of His total Person— “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Personality merges, and you only reach your true identity once you are merged with another person. When love or the Spirit of God come upon a person, he is transformed. He will then no longer insist on maintaining his individuality. Our Lord never referred to a person’s individuality or his isolated position, but spoke in terms of the total person— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . . .” Once your rights to yourself are surrendered to God, your true personal nature begins responding to God immediately.’ CHAMBERS

 

Anyone ever told you that you have a great personality? What they are talking about is that the way you interact with other people is pleasing.  You put people at ease when they are around you.  Because of that, people want to be around you … they like having you around. My personality was shaped more by my step father, Don Pierson, than by my biological father. When I worked with him and his brothers, people would do often say, you must one of the Pierson boys.  I was not, but I reminded them of the Piersons. So in a way, he was in me, because I reflected his personality.  In  John 14:8-20, when Jesus was asked to show the disciples the Father, Jesus told them if they had seen Jesus, which they had, they had seen the Father.  He explained that the Father was in Him and that He, Jesus, would be in us.

 

What that means is that our personality .. our actions .. our words should be a reflection of Who is in us.  When we are told to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed … it means that we should not reflect the world but Jesus.  Are you drawn to the things of this world? Many are pleasurable .. but the test is not whether you like them, but do they reflect and bring glory to God. It is an easy test .. but it is a hard one to pass. Most of us hold on to things that give us pleasure or comfort that do not pass the “Does it glorify God test” Examine your heart.  Let the Spirit, that Jesus told the disciples would be with them and in them forever show you.  Let Jesus shine from you and God be glorified in You.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

When Holding On Is Wrong

My Utmost For His Highest

 

Jesus said to His disciples, ’If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . .’ —Matthew 16:24

 

‘God wants to bring you into union with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself, He cannot. “. . . let him deny himself . . .”— deny his independent right to himself. Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow.’ CHAMBERS

 

Is it wrong to have preferences?  No. I don’t particularly care for liver.  The Haitians make a bullion soup using goat head parts and innards … not on the top of the list for what I want for supper tonight.  What is wrong is when you choose what you want over what God wants.  It is a matter of where you find security. You may want to cling to things … from the natural life .. that give you a feeling of being safe or in control.  God says .. give it all to me … Proverbs 3:5-6 says “trust with all”  Matthew 22:37 says “Love with all” We want to turn to God in part … holding on to those things that make us feel desperate if we think we have to let them go.  You know what they are.

 

In order to be where God wants you to be, to have the life He intends for you .... you must let go of those things.  That requires faith and trust.  You strengthen your faith by using faith. There is a phrase that I often use here “ti pa ti pa” which means step by step.  Look to the Father … draw near to Him (seek Him out – read the Word, pray, go to church to worship Him with other believers) … and He will draw near to you.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Have Thine Own Way Lord - Mold Me and Make Me After Thy Will

  My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘If we do not sacrifice the natural to the spiritual, the natural life will resist and defy the life of the Son of God in us and will produce continual turmoil. This is always the result of an undisciplined spiritual nature. We go wrong because we stubbornly refuse to discipline ourselves physically, morally, or mentally. We excuse ourselves by saying, “Well, I wasn’t taught to be disciplined when I was a child.” Then discipline yourself now! If you don’t, you will ruin your entire personal life for God.’ CHAMBERS

 

Romans 12:1-2 says to offer myself as a sacrifice … everything that I am, in the flesh, must be given up. I must not continue to be conformed to this world and what it says is good and right.  But I must draw near to God and seek that which brings glory to him … and then through the transformation of my mind .. and the offering of my heart and its desires … God will mold me into the image of His Son.

 

The closer you draw near to God the more obvious the corrupted nature of this world and what your flesh craves will become.  You will choose to reject what the world offers because your spirit will yearn for the presence of God.  You cannot have both .. even though you may have convinced yourself you can.  You cannot serve two masters.  You will love one and hate the other.  Luke 16:13 You may have convinced yourself that it is OK to speak the way you do, watch what you do, listen to what you do, do the things that you do … but in your heart .. you know what is right and good .. the Spirit testifies to you.  Be careful that you do not ignore the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19  God have given you the Spirit to help you in your new life … to reject the Spirit is to say you choose to live as you see fit and mock God.  You will find yourself on a slippery slope .. always wondering why the blessings and life promised in the Bible are always just out of reach.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

You Know What To Do

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh . . . .” The cost to your natural life is not just one or two things, but everything. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself. . .” (Matthew 16:24). That is, he must deny his right to himself, and he must realize who Jesus Christ is before he will bring himself to do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.

 

The natural life is not spiritual, and it can be made spiritual only through sacrifice. If we do not purposely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural to us. There is no high or easy road. Each of us has the means to accomplish it entirely in his own hands. It is not a question of praying, but of sacrificing, and thereby performing His will.’ CHAMBERS

 

In the study, Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby says that when God speaks by the Holy Spirit, (the Holy Spirit speaks through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and other Christians …) there are several things you know … two of them are 1 – You know it was God speaking .. 2- You know what He said.  The question is, will you obey. In the same way, you know what you are thinking, saying or doing  is acceptable and unacceptable to God ..  the only question is .. if it is unacceptable .. will you stop doing it.

 

We make excuses for what we do … but even then, we know, in our heart .. it’s wrong and we should give it up … but we like it … even more than we love God .. so we continue … somehow thinking that God will overlook it …. In the meantime, we miss God’s best for our lives.  Blackaby said that if you are having an obedience problem .. it is really a love problem … Matt 22:37 “Love God with all you heart, mind, soul and strength …”

 

Listen for God’s voice and then do what He says … you will be glad you did.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

What Is Wrong With A Little Sin?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘God is just in saving bad people only as He makes them good. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The atonement by the Cross of Christ is the propitiation God uses to make unholy people holy.’ CHAMBERS

 

Why does God bother with us?  Why not just start over?  He could do it.  That is a mystery and at the same time a testimony of His great love for us.  Don’t ever think that there is something that you can do that will make the relationship right.  Have you ever heard someone say that about a problem? “What can we do to make this right”  There was some offense .. something was wrong and that person wanted to correct it.  If we ask that question about our broken relationship with God, the answer is “Nothing”.  The problem is so great .. so beyond us .. that there is nothing “we” can do to fix it.  Only Jesus can and He did!

 

After you become a Christian and you sin, you cannot find restoration through merely being sorry that you sinned, but only by pleading the blood of Jesus and repenting. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Be careful that you do not think that, as a Christian, your sin does not matter.  Do not become content with what you consider to be an “acceptable” level of sin in your life.  You are the child of a HOLY God … our sin is a desecration of our relationship with the Father.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)