ListenDaily – 30 March 2010: "But I told you..."
OK, so imagine a scenario something like this: You have had a busy week and your house is a bit of a mess. It's Saturday morning, and you have company coming over for dinner and to watch a movie at your home. You are called into work for a few hours, and so you tell your kids to clean the kitchen and the living room to prepare for your guests. When you come home from work, a half hour before your company is due, you find out that they have been working very hard cleaning...their bedrooms...leaving the kitchen and living room untouched.
How do you respond?
Is it good enough that they have been working hard? Is it good enough that they have been cleaning? Or has the plan that you have laid out now fallen apart because, no matter how hard they worked, they were disobedient?
Really now, how would you react?
I mean, not knowing the circumstances, most people would think it was great that kids cleaned their rooms. And can't you just imagine the conversation with their friends: "I spent all day cleaning my room and they're still not happy!"
But in this case, something else really needed to be done.
"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."
(Acts16:6-9)
Doesn't preaching the word sound like a good thing to do? And yet, in this situation, it obviously was not what God wanted Paul to do. In order to carry out his part of his Father's plan, Paul had to be obedient to the specific thing God wanted him to do. In man's eyes, the preaching in Asia might have looked like the right thing to do, much like the kids' cleaning their rooms.
But in this case, something else really needed to be done.
So, serving on a committee, teaching Sunday School going on a mission trip, going into the ministry...good idea or God's idea?
TOMORROW: Through a child's eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Reflecting on your own work in the church, were you specifically called?
2. What is the result, when a child busies himself with all sorts of activities, but never accomplishes that which his parent asked him to do?
3. Can you pray, right now, for God to show you, specifically, what He wants you to do?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Beware of reasoning about God's Word - obey It." Oswald Chambers
"Just as a servant knows that he must first obey his master in all things,
so the surrender to an implicit and unquestionable obedience must become the essential characteristic of our lives." Andrew Murray
"Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!" Benjamin Franklin
"The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience." Oswald Chambers
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
ListenDaily – 25 March 2010: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
ListenDaily – 25 March 2010: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
(Jeremiah 1:4-5)
God spoke these words directly to Jeremiah.
Don't you wish we could hear Him as clearly?
But, you know, we can hear God, in different ways. One of those ways, of course, is through His Words in Scripture. And while these words were specifically for Jeremiah (we are not all called as prophets) the truth that God knows us and has specific plans for us, is true for ALL of us. Consider church stuff, singing in the choir, helping in the kitchen, teaching Sunday School, working on an administrative committee, working with youth, etc. Your church, my church, they are really God's churches, right? And He loves and cares about His church, does He not? And do you not think He has in mind specific people to make up specific parts of the Body?
Hey, I'm as guilty, or guiltier, than the next guy. I've served on nominating committees desperate to fill positions. And I've agreed to take positions and duties without being led to them. I've asked myself the question: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
And there is not just one answer to that. It could be that some other person who should not say "yes" does anyway.
Maybe the job goes undone. And, maybe, just maybe, it's supposed to go undone.
Or maybe, just maybe, the person God is calling is the next person to be called, if you say no.
The church is harmed more by people not hearing God's specific call than it is by church work left undone (I'm not talking about the Great Commission, which always needs more laborers).
Who will do it if you don't? I don't know. But we are called to be obedient to those things God is calling us to do.
TOMORROW: More of the same...kind of.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Reflecting on your own work in the church, were you specifically called?
2. What is the result, when a child busies himself with all sorts of activities, but never accomplishes that which his parent asked him to do?
3. Can you pray, right now, for God to show you, specifically, what He wants you to do?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh. Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." A.W.Tozer
"When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence." Matthew Henry
"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
(Jeremiah 1:4-5)
God spoke these words directly to Jeremiah.
Don't you wish we could hear Him as clearly?
But, you know, we can hear God, in different ways. One of those ways, of course, is through His Words in Scripture. And while these words were specifically for Jeremiah (we are not all called as prophets) the truth that God knows us and has specific plans for us, is true for ALL of us. Consider church stuff, singing in the choir, helping in the kitchen, teaching Sunday School, working on an administrative committee, working with youth, etc. Your church, my church, they are really God's churches, right? And He loves and cares about His church, does He not? And do you not think He has in mind specific people to make up specific parts of the Body?
Hey, I'm as guilty, or guiltier, than the next guy. I've served on nominating committees desperate to fill positions. And I've agreed to take positions and duties without being led to them. I've asked myself the question: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
And there is not just one answer to that. It could be that some other person who should not say "yes" does anyway.
Maybe the job goes undone. And, maybe, just maybe, it's supposed to go undone.
Or maybe, just maybe, the person God is calling is the next person to be called, if you say no.
The church is harmed more by people not hearing God's specific call than it is by church work left undone (I'm not talking about the Great Commission, which always needs more laborers).
Who will do it if you don't? I don't know. But we are called to be obedient to those things God is calling us to do.
TOMORROW: More of the same...kind of.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Reflecting on your own work in the church, were you specifically called?
2. What is the result, when a child busies himself with all sorts of activities, but never accomplishes that which his parent asked him to do?
3. Can you pray, right now, for God to show you, specifically, what He wants you to do?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh. Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." A.W.Tozer
"When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence." Matthew Henry
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
ListenDaily – 23 March 2010: Proceeding carefully…
ListenDaily – 23 March 2010: Proceeding carefully…
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
I want to proceed very carefully.
Running through my mind are thoughts of obedience, taking up our crosses, and denying ourselves; but the Holy Spirit tells me to start with “joy”.
I asked this question first: “What are the 1 or 2 things I love to do and feel God is calling me to?” Which might prompt the response: ‘I enjoy it but I don’t feel His calling.’ Or ‘He’s calling me to something I don’t enjoy.’
This is a part of discernment. Oh, we may not like the idea of something God calls us to do, but if we are willingly obedient, we will find joy in the task.
However, if we are not willingly obedient – or if God is not calling us to it – then we will not find joy in a task. God wants you for specific things; not just anything. Doesn’t preaching the Word of God to unbelievers sound like a good and Godly thing to do? And yet, Acts 16 tells us that Paul was prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia.
God is certainly calling you to some work. If what you are doing now is not bringing you joy (and I don’t mean moments in which you enjoy it, but joyful living) ask yourself the following:
Am I willingly being obedient to the specific thing(s) God is calling me to?
Am I doing God-work or church-work, but not that to which He is calling me?
And remember, God wants you to have joy, and, He wants to give it to you!
TOMORROW: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think you are responsible for your own joy?
2. “God wants you to have joy.” Does that statement make you feel good, or does it make you feel the stress of another thing to do, or another way you come up short?
3. Can you pray, right now, for God to take that stress?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh. Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." A.W.Tozer
"When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence." Matthew Henry
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
I want to proceed very carefully.
Running through my mind are thoughts of obedience, taking up our crosses, and denying ourselves; but the Holy Spirit tells me to start with “joy”.
I asked this question first: “What are the 1 or 2 things I love to do and feel God is calling me to?” Which might prompt the response: ‘I enjoy it but I don’t feel His calling.’ Or ‘He’s calling me to something I don’t enjoy.’
This is a part of discernment. Oh, we may not like the idea of something God calls us to do, but if we are willingly obedient, we will find joy in the task.
However, if we are not willingly obedient – or if God is not calling us to it – then we will not find joy in a task. God wants you for specific things; not just anything. Doesn’t preaching the Word of God to unbelievers sound like a good and Godly thing to do? And yet, Acts 16 tells us that Paul was prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia.
God is certainly calling you to some work. If what you are doing now is not bringing you joy (and I don’t mean moments in which you enjoy it, but joyful living) ask yourself the following:
Am I willingly being obedient to the specific thing(s) God is calling me to?
Am I doing God-work or church-work, but not that to which He is calling me?
And remember, God wants you to have joy, and, He wants to give it to you!
TOMORROW: “But if I don’t do it, who will?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think you are responsible for your own joy?
2. “God wants you to have joy.” Does that statement make you feel good, or does it make you feel the stress of another thing to do, or another way you come up short?
3. Can you pray, right now, for God to take that stress?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh. Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." A.W.Tozer
"When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence." Matthew Henry
Monday, March 22, 2010
ListenDaily – 22 March 2010: How would you answer these questions?
ListenDaily – 22 March 2010: How would you answer these questions?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
We begin a new thing today, here in this (for must of us) beginning of spring. I have had so many discussions lately, concerning God's work, church work, folks' lack of rest, feeling unsettled, feeling unsure of what God wants them to do, and on and on. Some of these discussions have been with people in my local church, some from other churches, some not from any church at all.
Some folks feel like they want to do something at their church, but not sure what they should do; others feel overworked at church, and yet without a sense of fulfillment that they are accomplishing what God wants them to accomplish.
Doing God's work may not always be church work, and church work may not always be God's work. And not every job in the local church is for everyone, but there is a job in the local church for almost everyone.
And God's work is not limited to or by the local church.
So then, as we begin, please consider the following questions:
1) What are the 1 or 2 things I love to do and feel God is calling me to?
2) What am I doing that fits neither of the above criteria?
3) What do I wish I was getting from church that I am not?
If you have the time, and are so inclined, please respond. Let me know if you would like your responses to be kept confidential.
May God bless us as we seek to seek Him, Jim
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
We begin a new thing today, here in this (for must of us) beginning of spring. I have had so many discussions lately, concerning God's work, church work, folks' lack of rest, feeling unsettled, feeling unsure of what God wants them to do, and on and on. Some of these discussions have been with people in my local church, some from other churches, some not from any church at all.
Some folks feel like they want to do something at their church, but not sure what they should do; others feel overworked at church, and yet without a sense of fulfillment that they are accomplishing what God wants them to accomplish.
Doing God's work may not always be church work, and church work may not always be God's work. And not every job in the local church is for everyone, but there is a job in the local church for almost everyone.
And God's work is not limited to or by the local church.
So then, as we begin, please consider the following questions:
1) What are the 1 or 2 things I love to do and feel God is calling me to?
2) What am I doing that fits neither of the above criteria?
3) What do I wish I was getting from church that I am not?
If you have the time, and are so inclined, please respond. Let me know if you would like your responses to be kept confidential.
May God bless us as we seek to seek Him, Jim
Friday, March 5, 2010
ListenDaily – 05 March 2010: Look up
ListenDaily – 05 March 2010: Look up
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." Matthew 17: 1-8
Perhaps Moses and Elijah were there representing the Law and the Prophets and the three disciples got to see them for a moment; for that moment they were allowed to see these two giants of Israel - two great men of the faith. Then they heard the voice of God Himself, telling them to listen -- not to the Law -- not to the Prophet -- but to His Son. Then God removed the other two.
Jesus, and Jesus alone was to be their focus.
It is not that the Law and Prophets were no longer important, indeed not. It is that they were now seen in their untarnished, unadulterated, form; they were now fulfilled! As Jesus had already told them; "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Everything they had ever learned or heard could now be corrected and adjusted through the words of the Christ.
"When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."
Maybe, to see the Glory of God, we have to look up and see only Him.
What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. During this season, have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You cannot make good men by law.” C.S. Lewis
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." Matthew 17: 1-8
Perhaps Moses and Elijah were there representing the Law and the Prophets and the three disciples got to see them for a moment; for that moment they were allowed to see these two giants of Israel - two great men of the faith. Then they heard the voice of God Himself, telling them to listen -- not to the Law -- not to the Prophet -- but to His Son. Then God removed the other two.
Jesus, and Jesus alone was to be their focus.
It is not that the Law and Prophets were no longer important, indeed not. It is that they were now seen in their untarnished, unadulterated, form; they were now fulfilled! As Jesus had already told them; "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Everything they had ever learned or heard could now be corrected and adjusted through the words of the Christ.
"When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."
Maybe, to see the Glory of God, we have to look up and see only Him.
What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. During this season, have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You cannot make good men by law.” C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
As it was then, is it now?
ListenDaily – 03 March 2010: As it was then, is it now?
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. If you choose to contribute, leave a comment that you heard about it from ListenDaily! http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17: 1- 4
This passage, these verses and on to verse 13, are often titled “The Transfiguration”. This story contains so much stuff, but we will keep (or try to) our focus on the Glory. The story is reminiscent of that which we have been discussing, Moses seeing the Glory of God.
But there is an interesting difference here. Remember that when Moses’ face changed, it frightened the people that saw him. Here Peter, James, and John actually see the change take place, and however it affected them, it did not cause them to flee.
Why do you think that is?
It could be that they were more prepared. They were not simply part of the masses, but disciples, under Jesus’ training.
They were not in the midst of intentional sin (think Israelites and the golden calf) so maybe their spirits were not in such opposition to God’s presence.
They were believers, and so perhaps they had been prepared by God.
Or maybe God was preparing a way for a new thing.
I don’t know, but I do look at the statements above and wonder if they don’t apply to us as well?
Ask Him. Ask to see His Glory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. During this season, have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You have nothing to do but to save souls.
Therefore spend and be spent in this work.
And go not only to those that need you,
but to those that need you most.
It is not your business to preach so many times,
and to take care of this or that society;
but to save as many souls as you can;
to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance."
John Wesley
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. If you choose to contribute, leave a comment that you heard about it from ListenDaily! http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17: 1- 4
This passage, these verses and on to verse 13, are often titled “The Transfiguration”. This story contains so much stuff, but we will keep (or try to) our focus on the Glory. The story is reminiscent of that which we have been discussing, Moses seeing the Glory of God.
But there is an interesting difference here. Remember that when Moses’ face changed, it frightened the people that saw him. Here Peter, James, and John actually see the change take place, and however it affected them, it did not cause them to flee.
Why do you think that is?
It could be that they were more prepared. They were not simply part of the masses, but disciples, under Jesus’ training.
They were not in the midst of intentional sin (think Israelites and the golden calf) so maybe their spirits were not in such opposition to God’s presence.
They were believers, and so perhaps they had been prepared by God.
Or maybe God was preparing a way for a new thing.
I don’t know, but I do look at the statements above and wonder if they don’t apply to us as well?
Ask Him. Ask to see His Glory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. During this season, have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You have nothing to do but to save souls.
Therefore spend and be spent in this work.
And go not only to those that need you,
but to those that need you most.
It is not your business to preach so many times,
and to take care of this or that society;
but to save as many souls as you can;
to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance."
John Wesley
Monday, March 1, 2010
Get it, give it, keep it
ListenDaily – 01 March 2010: Get it, give it, keep it
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. If you choose to contribute, leave a comment that you heard about it from ListenDaily! http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:29-30
The fact that they were afraid said much about the state of their relationship to God. The light of His glory disturbs those out of a right relationship with Him.
In response to Friday’s message, my friend Randy brought up the idea of believers who are not living Biblically; how do they react to His glory? What response do they elicit from non-believers? That would be a study topic all its own…but let us linger there, just for a moment, by hearing the words of God through His apostle, Paul:
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-6
Read some of these points again, closely:
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways;
we do not use deception,
nor do we distort the word of God.
…(but) by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience…
…the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…
…they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…
For God…made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
This is our charge, friends, to share “…the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…”
Don’t give up.
Call them back.
Give them what God has given you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You have nothing to do but to save souls.
Therefore spend and be spent in this work.
And go not only to those that need you,
but to those that need you most.
It is not your business to preach so many times,
and to take care of this or that society;
but to save as many souls as you can;
to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance."
John Wesley
*NOTE: Please visit my friend Robyn’s page, read her story, and consider giving to help in her fight against leukemia and lymphoma. If you choose to contribute, leave a comment that you heard about it from ListenDaily! http://pages.teamintraining.org/de/del10/rharper7ec
“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:29-30
The fact that they were afraid said much about the state of their relationship to God. The light of His glory disturbs those out of a right relationship with Him.
In response to Friday’s message, my friend Randy brought up the idea of believers who are not living Biblically; how do they react to His glory? What response do they elicit from non-believers? That would be a study topic all its own…but let us linger there, just for a moment, by hearing the words of God through His apostle, Paul:
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-6
Read some of these points again, closely:
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways;
we do not use deception,
nor do we distort the word of God.
…(but) by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience…
…the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…
…they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…
For God…made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
This is our charge, friends, to share “…the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…”
Don’t give up.
Call them back.
Give them what God has given you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you asked God to give you His Spirit?
2. Have you asked Him to show you His glory?
3. Has anything happened?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"You have nothing to do but to save souls.
Therefore spend and be spent in this work.
And go not only to those that need you,
but to those that need you most.
It is not your business to preach so many times,
and to take care of this or that society;
but to save as many souls as you can;
to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance."
John Wesley
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