Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Loving God With Your Everything

My Utmost For His Highest
 
‘The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.’ CHAMBERS
 
When God speaks, you know it’s God and you know what He said .. the question is will you obey.  You may think that you are being responsible .. practical .. in that before you step out you consider whether you can afford it, or what impact it might have on those around you … as if God were not aware of your situation.  If you indeed love God with your everything … then it is His purpose that you want to fulfill .. His voice that you want to heed … That requires faith … considering other “things” before you obey is a sign that you lack faith … that, really, you don’t love God with your “everything”, but with some things.  That is a bitter pill to swallow … admitting that you have a divided heart … but God will take you to that place .. the realization and then the opportunity to act in obedience to His revelation.  It is a crisis that you face … you know that if you obey those other things that you love … even prefer over God .. must be cast aside ..
 
Hebrews 12:1-3  “Therefore, […] let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
 
There was a bracelet that many Christians wore some years back .. WWJD .. “what would Jesus do”  What He did was obey the Father .. even to the cross.  Mark 8:34 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
 
You may want but you must be willing … and that requires faith.
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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