Your Life As An Offering To God

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering . . .” —2 Timothy 4:6

 

‘Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way. God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself.’ CHAMBERS

 

When you think of the Christian life, what images come to your mind?  Do you ever see yourself bound to an altar as a sacrifice to God? No, probably not.  But spiritually, that is the life we have been called to.  Practically, it takes on the appearance of separating yourself from your affection for the things of this world.  It looks like a willingness to endure scorn, rejection, loss, separation … for the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom of God.

 

Just yesterday, a friend sent an email to me about two Air Force pilots during 9-11 that were ready to lay their lives down in response to that crisis. I told him that when you are in the military, you accept the possibility of that eventuality as a given. As a service member, you are essentially signing up to do that very thing … if asked, to give your life for your country and its people.  In the same way, as Christians, God has asked us to lay our lives down for Him, His kingdom and others … Romans 12:1-2 … John 15:13 … Paul compared the Christian life to that of a soldier.  Are you ready? Are you committed? Living this life … laying your life down in this way is not just a matter of your making a decision … it is a matter of obedience which springs from faith and trust in God.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You

Does It Matter Who Gets The Credit?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all—“ Philippians 2:17

 

“Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ’Well done.’ ”

 

It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. […] Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket—to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted—not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.” CHAMBERS

 

How has God shaped you for service?  What if you find yourself in a place that does not use all of your natural and spiritual abilities and gifts?  You find that you are not even mentioned when people speak of the work being accomplished. Is that OK with you?  If it is not, then you have lost focus on the essence of service.  We do not serve to be glorified but we serve so that Jesus will be lifted up.  We are to be living sacrifices meaning that we lay everything … every desire .. ambition … need … and dream down at the feet of Jesus .. and then serve Him however He chooses. Be careful that you don’t lose sight of that.  Your work for God can easily become something that is merely a reflection of you … not the Lord …. By your effort … to your credit … with no eternal value …  So be vigilant … and stay close to Jesus ….

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Where Ever He Leads I'll Go - Really?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

“Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” —1 Corinthians 9:16

 

‘Paul’s words have to do with our being made servants of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us as broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated to the gospel” means being able to hear the call of God (Romans 1:1). Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains— “. . . separated to the gospel. . . .”

 

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

 

The pattern of my life as a Christian has been interludes of tent making plus ministry and ministry alone.

 

The journey we are on now began in 2004.  I was at a conference representing the Air Force at Dell Headquarters in Texas.  A representative from Microsoft suggested that I come to Redmond to speak about the work I was doing at the next Microsoft Symposium.  I heard the words but they never penetrated my heart … it was if I was suddenly dead to those things .. his offer (and compliment) had no appeal to me .. shortly after that, I left my job with the Air Force to pursue full time ministry. God had called me to something else and the things of this world had no appeal.

 

What about you?  God has a purpose for you.  Listen for His voice.  God will bring you to a crisis of belief and that will require both faith and action … obedience to His call.  You may not quit your job … you may not even leave your house … but He will ask you to lay something down and follow Him … don’t hesitate ….

 

Matthew 4:18-22  “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Hearing God Speak

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13 [“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”] , or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23 [“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”]? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.’ CHAMBERS

 

God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and other Believers.  The question is .. are you listening for God to speak to you?  When God speaks, you know it’s God who is speaking .. sometimes He whispers and sometimes He shouts … but you know it’s Him and you know what He said … our challenge is not in our hearing but in our doing.  He prefers obedience over sacrifice .. we prefer sacrifice over obedience …. What has He been saying to you?

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Have I been persecuting Jesus by an eager determination to serve Him in my own way? […]  My way will not be to foster a meek and quiet spirit, only the spirit of self-satisfaction. We presume that whatever is unpleasant is our duty! Is that anything like the spirit of our Lord— “I delight to do Your will, O my God . . .” (Psalm 40:8).’ CHAMBERS

 

Serving is a good thing … Serving is focusing on others and not yourself.  The second greatest commandment and clearly the heart of God.  But, it is possible to subvert that service and make it something that you find gain in.  It is not so much for the benefit of others, but instead it becomes something in which you find personal affirmation. The reason you do it is not because you feel compelled by the Lord to do it, but your actions are motivated by your need to receive recognition … or feel OK about yourself …

 

When and if that happens, you rob God of His glory.  You usurp His position in your life and claim the throne for yourself.  Sound radical or harsh .. the truth often seems that way.  We must be on our guard against this.  The chief end of man … is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Is that your chief end … your ultimate purpose … so give credit where credit is due …

 

“I will serve you, because I love you.  You have given life to me.  I was nothing until You found me, You have given life to me.  Heartache, broken pieces, ruined lives are why You died on Calvary. Your touch is what I long for, You have given life to me.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Having "More Than" A Form Of Godliness

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me,[…]’ CHAMBERS

 

The belief that I can be good .. that I can live my new life in Christ through self-effort is perhaps the greatest deception that a Christian will face.  How is that we acknowledge that only Jesus can save us and then live as though we have the ability to be righteous on our own.  Galatians 2:20 says … it’s not me who is the source of power in my new life, but Jesus.  2 Timothy 3 tells us about people who have a form of godliness but deny the power of godliness.  We can easily find ourselves in the same condition if we don’t abide in Jesus.  Bottom line, we cannot live this life successfully on our own power or persistence .. but only by the power of God in us.

 

A song sung by Dale Evans .. the wife of Roy Rogers … (you may have never heard of these people) both were Christian movie and television stars … when television promoted biblical principles through regular programming …. “Have faith, hope, and charity.  That’s the way to live successfully.  How do I know?  The Bible tells me so.”

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

Where Is Your Faith?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.’ CHAMBERS

 

What issues are raging in your life that cause you to turn your focus away from the Lord?  It all boils down to where you place your faith.  When Peter got out of the boat, when the disciples thought they would drown in the storm, when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, when Noah was told to build a boat, when Joshua was told to step into the water, when the young rich man was told to sell everything he had …. All of those times were opportunities to trust God or not.

 

We are to walk .. live .. by faith and not by sight.  If you look around you and put your trust in what you see … you will live a life of worry, frustration, despair.  This new life begins with faith and is successful only by faith … Put your faith where it belongs and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus .. even in the midst of a very real storm.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)