Yet another solid reading by Mr. Chambers.
My Utmost for His Highest - January 31
Title: Do You See Your Calling?
Key Verse: Separated unto the Gospel.
Click link below to study this verse: Romans 1:1
http://www.studylight.org/desk/?query=ro+1:1
Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the abiding Reality. Reality is not human goodness, nor holiness, nor heaven, nor hell; but Redemption; and the need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker to-day. As workers we have to get used to the revelation that Redemption is the only Reality. Personal holiness is an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness, in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes.
Paul did not say he separated himself, but - "when it pleased God who separated me. . ." Paul had not a hypersensitive interest in his own character. As long as our eyes are upon our own personal whiteness we shall never get near the reality of Redemption. Workers break down because their desire is for their own whiteness, and not for God. "Don't ask me to come into contact with the rugged reality of Redemption on behalf of the filth of human life as it is; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes." To talk in that way is a sign that the reality of the Gospel of God has not begun to touch me; there is no reckless abandon to God. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul is unconscious of himself, he is recklessly abandoned, separated by God for one purpose - to proclaim the Gospel of God (cf. Rom. 9:3.)
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Taken from 'My Utmost for His Highest', by Oswald Chambers. © l935 by Dodd Mead & Co., renewed © 1963 by the Oswald Chambers Publications Assn., Ltd., and is used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Uhrichsville, Ohio.
All rights reserved.
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Knowing When God Speaks
Welcome back to Rian and Meg Kennedy! It was so great to see them back after such a long absence. The old cliche, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder!" Knowing that some of you are reading this I thought I throw this great devotional in for you to "digest." -- Rob
P.S. This is from Greg Laurie's Harvest Devotional...
Monday, January 29, 2007
How God Speaks
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
— John 10:27
Does God still speak to people today? Is He interested in what happens to us as individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our lives? Or are we merely victims of chance?
God is indeed interested in us as individuals. He does have a master plan for our lives, and He does want to speak to us. Jesus described Himself as our Good Shepherd. And as His sheep, we can hear His voice.
So how can we know when it is God speaking? First, we need to remember that God primarily speaks to us through His Word. He will never lead us to the contrary. We don't have to go any further than the Bible to know the will of God for our lives.God also speaks through circumstances that can include failure or even hardship. We don't enjoy it when God speaks to us through tragedy and hardship, but as C. S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
Often, I have found that if something is the will of God, then it will be confirmed. There are times when I feel the Lord has been speaking to me through circumstances, such as an opportunity that has opened up. But I never make decisions by looking at circumstances alone.
Lastly, God speaks to us through His peace. Colossians 3:15 tells us, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . " God is the author of peace, not of confusion.Maybe we hear the voice of God more often than we think. The question is, are we really listening?
P.S. This is from Greg Laurie's Harvest Devotional...
Monday, January 29, 2007
How God Speaks
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
— John 10:27
Does God still speak to people today? Is He interested in what happens to us as individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our lives? Or are we merely victims of chance?
God is indeed interested in us as individuals. He does have a master plan for our lives, and He does want to speak to us. Jesus described Himself as our Good Shepherd. And as His sheep, we can hear His voice.
So how can we know when it is God speaking? First, we need to remember that God primarily speaks to us through His Word. He will never lead us to the contrary. We don't have to go any further than the Bible to know the will of God for our lives.God also speaks through circumstances that can include failure or even hardship. We don't enjoy it when God speaks to us through tragedy and hardship, but as C. S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
Often, I have found that if something is the will of God, then it will be confirmed. There are times when I feel the Lord has been speaking to me through circumstances, such as an opportunity that has opened up. But I never make decisions by looking at circumstances alone.
Lastly, God speaks to us through His peace. Colossians 3:15 tells us, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . " God is the author of peace, not of confusion.Maybe we hear the voice of God more often than we think. The question is, are we really listening?
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