Thursday, June 17, 2010

Forgive

June 17, 2009 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading ... "The Uncritical Temper."

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1

1 Cor 5:9-13 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner-- not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person." (NKJ)

People who do not claim to be Christians are not expected to live as if they do. Until the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to them and they are born again, they are admittedly walking in the flesh. However, in the church, there is a place where we are exhorted not to turn our eyes away from one who sins repeatedly and does not repent. We are to judge the habitual behavior. This is not being critical, but being obedient to the Word of God.

Luke 6:41-42 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye. (NKJ)

This is not admonishing us to ignore the speck in our brother's eye, but telling us to remove the plank (I believe this to be the critical spirit) and then help your brother in love.

With all of that said, the best posture for us as believers is humility and walking in love. Love does not think the worst, but believes the best. It does not keep track of wrongs and hold grudges. It is very hard to bring correction with out bringing offense and hurt feelings. This should only be done if a situation is habitual without a repentant heart... blatant sin... and then it should still be done in love.

Dear Lord,
Please help us stay far from a critical attitude. Help us to walk in love and wisdom and see people through Your eyes. Teach us to forgive quickly and love much.

Monday, February 1, 2010

I have now completed the entire year of Oswald Chambers devotional!!! I started last year on February 2. I would like to know if anyone is reading this devotional on a daily basis. If you are, I will post the days devotional and possibly add to them. Please just tell me if you are interested in continuing. Otherwise, I will start posting on "Contemplations" my other site and put revelations and wisdom I receive from the Lord. I could do both!!! FEEDBACK PLEASE!

Focus

February 1, 2010 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading.."The Call of God."

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . .
—1 Corinthians 1:17

It is an injustice to say that Jesus Christ labored in redemption to make me a saint. Jesus Christ labored in redemption to redeem the whole world and to place it perfectly whole and restored before the throne of God. Oswald Chambers

What is the message of the Gospel? It is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified and resurrected in obedience to His Father's will. Through Jesus we are given the opportunity to be restored to the condition of man before the fall. Once we are restored, what is our purpose on the earth? Our purpose is to usher in the Kingdom of God on the earth.

It is so easy to become distracted from that purpose by our own needs and problems. We can spend all of our time with the Lord asking for our healing; our deliverance; our help. It is time to turn our attention to the bigger picture; the lost and dying of the world. Jesus came to restore what was perverted through sin. We are called to be ones who reconcile the lost to the Lord.

Matt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJ)

This scripture is so important to keeping our focus in the right place. We don't have to worry about all the daily troubles we face. All we have to do is seek His kingdom and He will take care of the rest.

Dear Lord, Thank You for coming to restore creation to its proper condition. We know that the earth is groaning for the day of total redemption, but there would be no day if you hadn't come and given Your life for us. You are the center of the Gospel. Without You there is no gospel, only sin and death. I adore You and You alone.


Sunday, January 31, 2010

Seek God First

January 31, 2010 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading.."Do You See Your Calling?"
. . . separated to the gospel of God. . . —Romans 1:1

Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. Oswald Chambers


Matt 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)

Anything that distracts us from the goal of futhering God's Kingdom, must be realigned. If we are concerned more about our personal holiness than about serving and knowing God, we will be falling short of the glory of God that He wants for us. On the other hand, if we have our eyes firmly fixed on Him and our feet firmly set on His path, we will be holy because we love Him and are seeking Him first. The effort is not in being holy, but in pressing into oneness with Him.

Dear Lord, I want to be about Your business, moving forward in holiness and clothed in Your righteousness. Let my life reflect the relationship we have. I adore You and You alone.


Saturday, January 30, 2010

Speak or Not

January 30, 2010 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading.."The Dilemma of Obedience."

Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision —1 Samuel 3:15

Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. ". . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . ." (Galatians 1:16 ). Oswald Chambers

When God speaks, I want to share what He says, but it is not always for sharing. When you have a revelation and a fresh understanding of something, or feel like God has spoken to you, do not assume that it is for all to know. Sometimes, in the sharing, you will be faced with unbelief and even may be convinced that you are not right. There is wisdom in counselor but you must be prayerful as to who they will be. Sometimes, you must just hold things in your heart until God releases you to share with others.

Several years ago I was in Germany with my son, who is very honest. I spoke at a service and as I sat down he leaned over and said to me, "You don't have to tell them everything you know." He was right. I was trying to give it all without discretion, but sharing too much is as bad as not sharing enough. We need to stay connected with God and let Him lead us as we speak and as we don't speak!

Dear Lord, Help me be sensitive to what You have to say. Help me learn to be silent when that is what is needed. I adore You and You alone.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Listen to Your Captain

January 29, 2010 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading.."How Could Someone Be So Ignorant!"

Who are You, Lord? —Acts 26:15

"The Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand . . ." (Isaiah 8:11). There is no escape when our Lord speaks. He always comes using His authority and taking hold of our understanding. Oswald Chambers

Can you imagine being in an army, and deciding that it would be good for you to go carry out a mission of your own making? Even if you were successful, when you came back and reported your success, you would not be greeting with appreciation. The captain would be very upset to hear of what has taken place.

We must listen to our "Captain" before we move out in a new endeavor. We may think something is a good way to spend our time and talent, but the enemy of best is good. God has the perfect plan for us. We need to hear from Him before we embark. Does that mean we sit and do nothing until we have a word from God? No. I always say it is easier to steer a moving vehicle than one that is parked in the driveway. We should go about doing good; doing the things we know to do. We need to keep our spiritual ears open and be receptive when the voice of the Lord speaks to us. Then, we turn and give Him full attention.

Dear Lord, Please help me use my time and talent the way You desire. I don't want to waste time and effort on things that are not your plan. I adore You and only You.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Fragrance that Pleases

January 28, 2010 - My thoughts on My Utmost for His Highest daily reading.."How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!"

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? —Acts 26:14

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, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted. (Matthew 6:30). Oswald Chambers

If we boil down the gospel to us, it is to worship, talk and walk in the Holy Spirit. We cannot straddle the fence and be at peace with God. If we are defending ourselves and fighting our own battles, we have not given it over to God. The Holy Spirit lives in us as our counselor and adviser. He leads us toward righteousness and away from evil. Are we listening? That is the question. Are we bombarded with worldly entertainment and voices of reason that tell us to zig when God says to zag? Are we filling our minds and hearts with God's Word; His wisdom and knowledge, counsel and understanding? Only when we are saturated with Him will we find true peace. If the war is still raging, we have not found the victory that is ours to be had in Jesus.

Press in, brothers and sisters. Let Him have His way in your life. He will stretch you and mold you into more than you could ever imagine!

Dear Lord, I want you to stretch and mold me into what You want me to be. I know Your stretching isn't always fun or easy, but it is beneficial and brings a fragrance that pleases You. I adore You and only You.