You Do Your Part - God Will Do His

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘ My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom . . . —1 Corinthians 2:4

 

Paul was a scholar and an orator of the highest degree; he was not speaking here out of a deep sense of humility, but was saying that when he preached the gospel, he would veil the power of God if he impressed people with the excellency of his speech. Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the effectiveness of redemption, not by impressive speech, nor by wooing and persuading, but only by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of redemption comes through the preaching of the gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher. […] The preacher is there as the representative of God— “. . . as though God were pleading through us . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:20). He is there to present the gospel of God. […]. “And I, if I am lifted up. . . , will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).’ CHAMBERS

 

Chambers was speaking to students in a Bible college when his wife recorded these words.  But the principles he shared are true for every Believer.  Many people don’t pray in public because they are afraid of how they might sound to others.  Many don’t share the Gospel for the same reason.  The truth is that it is not the eloquence of our speech that is effective.  It is the power of the Spirit behind them that brings change.  You do not have to know how to alliterate (that is where your main points all begin with the same letter .. something unique to the English language …)  to effectively present the Gospel.  You just have to be obedient.  God will give you the opportunity .. you don’t have to break doors down … but be ready … at all times … you do your part .. and God will do His.

 

1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

God will be there when no one else is

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct in this passage [Matthew 7:11] for those people who have His Spirit.  He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God’s control over everything, which means that a disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to as and to seek.  Fill your minds with the thought that God is there. And when your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be easy as breathing for you to remember, “My heavenly Father knows all about this!” This will be no effort at all,  but will be a natural thing for you when difficulties and uncertainties arise.” CHAMBERS 

 

(John 16:32-33) ‘Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."’

 

When you are feeling alone or desperate, remember that you are not alone.  John 16:33 is quoted many times .. but verse 32 speaks to a great truth as well … God is with you … and if He is with you .. who can stand against you? The key is to be confident in that knowledge.  It is one thing to say “I know God is everywhere” (Psalm 139)  It is another thing, altogether, to face life with confidence in that truth.  Jesus told the disciples that His confidence was in God not men.  Though men may fail me .. though life may not go my way … my God is with me.  That is why Job could say “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” Peace is knowing that God is sovereign in every circumstance … I must trust Him (Proverbs 3:5,6).  You will not trust if you do not know.  Pursue God .. get to know Him deeply .. And even in those times of despair .. when you feel all is lost … that you are alone … that men have failed you … God … the sovereign Lord and Creator .. is with you. Amen

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Are Your Running On Empty?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Paul sold himself to Jesus Christ and he said, in effect, “I am a debtor to everyone on the face of the earth because of the gospel of Jesus; I am free only that I may be an absolute bondservant of His.” That is the characteristic of a Christian’s life once this level of spiritual honor and duty becomes real. Quit praying about yourself and spend your life for the sake of others as the bondservant of Jesus. That is the true meaning of being broken bread and poured-out wine in real life.’ CHAMBERS

 

What are your priorities in life? Not what do you want them to be .. or wish they could be.  What are they.  Jesus said they are to love God, Love others, (Matthew 22:37-39) and don’t worry about you.(Matthew 6:25-34)  Do you remember the man who wanted to follow Jesus, but said .. first let me bury my father? (Matthew 8:21-22) Jesus response may seem harsh .. but I think the point is … the man’s heart was not fully committed to following Jesus.

 

What you think, what you say and what you do begins in the heart.  For many Christians their hearts are running on empty, spiritually.  When I stop at the gas station in Jacmel .. the guys riding the motorcycles put a dollar’s worth of gas in their tanks. Just enough to get by.  Don’t be like that.  Fill your tank every day …. Draw close to God … and let your love for Him and others flow from the abundance of your heart …. Fulfill your purpose ..

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

So .. You want to be like Jesus

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.[…] Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.’ CHAMBERS

 

Matthew chapter 5 is a difficult chapter for our flesh.  Jesus addresses character traits that spring from our spiritual nature .. not our old nature.  I don’t think there is a person who has not been treated unfairly .. in some hurtful manner at some point in their lives.  The question is, how to respond when it happens.  Our old nature certainly demands retribution .. a response in kind .. we must defend ourselves, mustn’t we?  Read Jesus words …

 

Matthew 5   “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

 

Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned was from a friend who counselled me on how to respond to an injustice.  It was contrary to everything that was crying out within me. My flesh .. old nature .. was ready to devastate the person … instead .. I showed grace and mercy … I remained silent before my accuser … That struggle showed me that I had more pride in me than I had imagined.  It was the application of Matthew 5 living and relating. You want to be more like Jesus?

 

Mark 8:34  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

What Are You Doing With God's Blessings?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the development of its own organization. […] We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body. Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “. . . that I may know Him. . .” (Philippians 3:10). To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted.’ CHAMBERS

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 says that we are a new creation, even though we continue to live in these bodies in this world.  But not only that, we have been given the “ministry” of reconciliation.  Our ministry is to restore others to God since we, ourselves, have been restored to Him. Imagine you are given some food with the intent that you should eat some but also give food to the hungry around you.  But you decide to keep the food for yourself.  You would be found unfaithful by the one who gave you the food and the charge to feed others. Years ago there was a television show called “Chico and the Man”.  Chico would say “It’s not my job, man”  So many Christians have that view when it comes to telling others about Jesus and the Cross. They resist sharing the spiritual and natural blessings that God has showered on them.

 

Luke 12:16-21  ‘And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

 

Don’t keep God’s blessings for yourself ..

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Who Is In Charge Aorund Here?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” —Psalm 37:5

 

‘In spiritual issues it is customary for us to put God first, but we tend to think that it is inappropriate and unnecessary to put Him first in the practical, everyday issues of our lives. […] Don’t plan without God. […] We get ourselves into circumstances that were not chosen by God, and suddenly we realize that we have been making our plans without Him— that we have not even considered Him to be a vital, living factor in the planning of our lives. And yet the only thing that will keep us from even the possibility of worrying is to bring God in as the greatest factor in all of our planning.’ CHAMBERS

 

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps”  God is sovereign over everything … and how much is everything? So often we live our lives as if we were independent of God … choosing what is right as if it a menu … on the left side you have the culture and the old nature.  On the right side, you have the Word of God.  “Now let me see, I’ll have one lust of the flesh,  pride of life , hold the guilt, and as a side .. the love of money sounds good … and for desert … hmmmmm …. How about a large serving of peace that passes all understanding with a scoop of patience. Oh and sweet tea.”

 

It is so easy to live our lives this way.  And when things go wrong .. we just try harder.  But that is like being in quicksand.  The harder you struggle the deeper you sink.  Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” The problem you face with the problems you face is that you are trying to live your life with God in the stands as a spectator when He is, in fact, the Head Coach.

 

Do you want to be like Jesus?   John 5:30 “By myself I can do nothing; […] I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Standing Firm In The Face Of What Would Make Us Fear

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“Do not fret— it only causes harm” —Psalm 37:8

 

‘[…] It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. […] Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself. Worrying always results in sin. […]  Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.[…] All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.’ CHAMBERS

 

All of have uncertain times.  We have been afraid of someone or something.  We have faced the death of loved ones.  Maybe our own.  Financial loss. Sickness.  Broken relationships.  Rejection. And then we hear Jesus say “Fear not” (Luke 12:7) “Do not worry” (Matt 6:25-34) “Why did you doubt?”  (Matt 14:31) “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25)

 

In each of these of these circumstances .. people were faced with the impossible .. but in the presence of Jesus .. all things are possible.  When I was a young boy, I visited my Dad every other weekend.  He eventually remarried.  Although his background was Episcopal, he and his wife attend a spiritualist church .. a place where mediums would call upon the dead. Of course when I was with him, he took me along.  I can remember that every Sunday they would sing “God I believe.  God I believe.  All things are possible.  God I believe.” As if to convince themselves that they could really communicate with the dead and departed as intercessors.  Of course we know that Jesus is our High Priest and the Holy Spirit is our connection to all things spiritual.  But, the song is true in so much as nothing is impossible for God.  But, it must be consistent with His revelation . .the Word of God … and not contrived to placate our fears and doubts.

 

I suspect that I may overuse Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”  But, I always seem to be “running into it”. The success of our lives depends upon our being spiritually courageous … you know that courage is not the absence of fear … but action in spite of that which would make you fearful.  The problems are not necessarily going to go away … that someone will still have passed away … the illness may linger … you may lose your home or your car … but God will sustain you through it.

 

“He Knows My Name”  ‘I have a Father.  He calls me His own.  He’ll never leave me.  No matter where I go. He knows my name.  He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls.  And He hears me when I call.’

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)