When God uses certain people or untoward circumstances to get us to a point where we are useful to Him, we squeal!! Why is that?
O.C. asks what kind of finger and thumb has God been using to squeeze us. Let's see... For me, that would be my kids, the economy, my job, my relatives etc. etc. He can and does use "common things" to produce uncommon fruit -- if we let Him.
I really like the last sentence from today's reading. "Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children."
September 29 - The Consciousness of the Call
Many of O.C.'s readings are exerpts from talks he gave at the Bible College. Often, he was encouraging the students to be sensitive to God's spirit as to whether or not they were being called to preach the Gospel. He characterizes this type of call (to preach) as a very distinct call. For example, in the reading from June 28th, it states "Every Christian must testify, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God's hand on you, your life is in the grip of God for that one thing." I think that is probably the primary emphasis of this reading as well.
The call to preach the gospel is distinct and unique. Nevertheless, I do think that we all should periodically "take a review of (our) circumstances and see where God has not been first, but (our) ideas of service, or (our) tempermental abilities." Is God drawing us along a line toward service to Him in ways that may not "suit" us? Can we trust Him enough to venture out? Interesting thoughts to ponder...
The call to preach the gospel is distinct and unique. Nevertheless, I do think that we all should periodically "take a review of (our) circumstances and see where God has not been first, but (our) ideas of service, or (our) tempermental abilities." Is God drawing us along a line toward service to Him in ways that may not "suit" us? Can we trust Him enough to venture out? Interesting thoughts to ponder...
September 25 - The "Go" of Relationship
"Jesus is the only one who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount." I think that sums up a lot. Unless He puts the desire in us and the ability to live as He commanded, we've got no chance to live as He lived. An altered disposition is required. Currently, I have an opportunity to exercise servanthood and humility. I haven't been too excited about this opportunity. However, last night two things came to my mind
1) In this situation, I have a chance to be like Jesus was; and,
2) How much harder it must have been for Him, who came from heaven and was God, to serve and be treated like He was.
Was He ever tempted to yell "Don't you know who I am??? Show me some respect!!!" :-)
1) In this situation, I have a chance to be like Jesus was; and,
2) How much harder it must have been for Him, who came from heaven and was God, to serve and be treated like He was.
Was He ever tempted to yell "Don't you know who I am??? Show me some respect!!!" :-)
September 24 - The "Go" of Preparation
I like this reading because it reminds us that our preparation for HIs work is a process and not something to be "accomplished".
I also like the theme that God is generally not calling for some extreme, heroic sacrifice. He's usually calling for obedience/submission along the lines of some commonplace issue that is actually more difficult for us to relinquish.
One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to obey Matthew 5:23-24 and seek out a person who had greatly offended me (and whom I had greatly offended) and apologize for my part in the matter. It was one of those things where I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I must do it. When I set out to obey, God's grace was truly sufficient.
I also like the theme that God is generally not calling for some extreme, heroic sacrifice. He's usually calling for obedience/submission along the lines of some commonplace issue that is actually more difficult for us to relinquish.
One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to obey Matthew 5:23-24 and seek out a person who had greatly offended me (and whom I had greatly offended) and apologize for my part in the matter. It was one of those things where I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I must do it. When I set out to obey, God's grace was truly sufficient.
September 23 - The Missionary's Goal
I like O.C.'s point today. Jesus' awesome example of ALWAYS being about His Father's will is seen time and time again throughout Scripture. John 5:19 & John 8:28-29 are just two examples of this.
I also like O.C.'s quote at the very beginning of this reading. "In our natural life our ambitions change as we grow, but in the Christian life the goal is given at the very beginning, and the beginning and the end are exactly the same, namely, our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and we end with Him..." It's all about Him!
I also like O.C.'s quote at the very beginning of this reading. "In our natural life our ambitions change as we grow, but in the Christian life the goal is given at the very beginning, and the beginning and the end are exactly the same, namely, our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and we end with Him..." It's all about Him!
September 22 - The Missionary's Master and Teacher
Last night, Charles Amicy spoke at the evening service. What a wonderful message he had! He spoke out of John, Chapter 10. His message could be summed up with what O.C. says today, especially in the first paragraph when he says, "there is someone who knows me better than I know myself, who is closer than a friend, and who understands the remotest depths of my heart and is able to satisfy them fully".
In John 10, Jesus tells us He is our shepherd. "He calls his own sheep by name (v.3)...I am the gate for the sheep (v.7)...I am the gate (v.9)...I have come that they may have life (v.10)...I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (v.11)...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (v.14)...I lay down my life for the sheep (v.15)..."
John 10 explains that the sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice and that they would never follow the voice of a stranger. In fact, they would run from it. The last sentence in today's devotion says that Jesus "wants us in a relationship where He is so easily our Master and Teacher that we have no conscious awareness of it - a relationship where all we know is that we are His to obey."
In John 10, Jesus tells us He is our shepherd. "He calls his own sheep by name (v.3)...I am the gate for the sheep (v.7)...I am the gate (v.9)...I have come that they may have life (v.10)...I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (v.11)...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (v.14)...I lay down my life for the sheep (v.15)..."
John 10 explains that the sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice and that they would never follow the voice of a stranger. In fact, they would run from it. The last sentence in today's devotion says that Jesus "wants us in a relationship where He is so easily our Master and Teacher that we have no conscious awareness of it - a relationship where all we know is that we are His to obey."
September 19 - Are You Going on With Jesus?
Today, O.C. posed some very though provoking questions. His question, "Are we going on with Jesus in the life we are living right now?" really got me thinking. It actually reminded me of a selection in a book I am in the middle of reading. It was good to go back and read that part of the book. The book is called How People Change by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp. The chapter is titled, "The Gospel Gap". In it the authors reference 2 Peter 1:3-9 to describe this gap. They ask, "Why are many Christians 'ineffective and unproductive?' Peter provides the diagnosis in verse 9: they are nearsighted and blind, having forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. They are blind to the power and hope of the gospel for today.
They go on to say, "The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a 'then-now-then' gospel. First, there is the 'then' of the past. When I embrace Christ by faith, my sins are completely forgiven, and I stand before God as righteous. There is also the 'then' of the future, the promise of eternity with the Lord, free of sin and struggle....What difference does the gospel make in the here and now? How does it help me as a father, a husband, a worker, and a member of the body of Christ? How does it help me respond to difficulty and make decisions? How does it give me meaning, purpose, and identity? How does it motivate my ministry to others?...People need to see that the gospel belongs in their workplace, their kitchen, their school, their bedroom, their backyard, and their van."
I pray that the Lord will help me to live each day with a gospel mentality.
They go on to say, "The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a 'then-now-then' gospel. First, there is the 'then' of the past. When I embrace Christ by faith, my sins are completely forgiven, and I stand before God as righteous. There is also the 'then' of the future, the promise of eternity with the Lord, free of sin and struggle....What difference does the gospel make in the here and now? How does it help me as a father, a husband, a worker, and a member of the body of Christ? How does it help me respond to difficulty and make decisions? How does it give me meaning, purpose, and identity? How does it motivate my ministry to others?...People need to see that the gospel belongs in their workplace, their kitchen, their school, their bedroom, their backyard, and their van."
I pray that the Lord will help me to live each day with a gospel mentality.
September 18 - His Temptation and Ours
I thought that the point that O.C. brought out today about Satan's goals was an interesting reminder. He said, "Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things - he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil."
Satan's goal is to draw us closer to himself and farther from the Father. His ways are wicked and deceitful. The battle is real! 1 Peter 5:8 equates Satan to a lion prowling around and searching for those he can devour. But 5:9 commands us to "Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." We are to abide in Him and depend on Him for our strength. "He will restore you and make you strong..." (5:10).
Satan's goal is to draw us closer to himself and farther from the Father. His ways are wicked and deceitful. The battle is real! 1 Peter 5:8 equates Satan to a lion prowling around and searching for those he can devour. But 5:9 commands us to "Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." We are to abide in Him and depend on Him for our strength. "He will restore you and make you strong..." (5:10).
September 17 - Is There Good in Temptation?
"God does not save us from temptations - He sustains us in the midst of them." O.C. points out a few things about temptation today that are real humbling. As I think of the things I am tempted by, they are such an indication of the kind of heart I have! "The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted...Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation."
The passages in Hebrews that O.C. refers to are so encouraging. To know that we have a Savior that has been there! Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." All we need is Him!
The passages in Hebrews that O.C. refers to are so encouraging. To know that we have a Savior that has been there! Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." All we need is Him!
September 16 - Praying to God in Secret
I love the passage in Matthew on prayer, which O.C. references today. Matthew 6:5-13 is possible only when our focus is fully on the Father. As I was reading the Lord's Prayer in verses 9-13, the notes in my bible pointed out something about the prayer. It says, "Of its seven petitions, three ask God to glorify himself and four requests his work in our lives. The entire prayer presupposes total dependence on God." "This, then, is how you should pray" (Matthew 6:9a).
September 15 - What To Renounce
I think that I hide a lot of shameful things in my life. Envy, jealousy, pride...lots of sin! These things can never be hidden from the Lord, thought. For He created me, and he knows the depths of my heart.
I like so many quotes from today's reading. "God has called you to a higher standard...Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest - your best for His glory."
First of all, I pray that God helps me to recognize my sin. Second of all, I pray that I "renounce it as soon as it comes to mind".
I like so many quotes from today's reading. "God has called you to a higher standard...Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest - your best for His glory."
First of all, I pray that God helps me to recognize my sin. Second of all, I pray that I "renounce it as soon as it comes to mind".
September 12 - Going Through Spiritual Confusion
There is a purpose for everything that God allows to happen in my life. Sometimes these events cause me to be confused and wonder why God is allowing them. I think that sometimes I feel like I deserve to know reasons for everything. But O.C. mentions that "It is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you". God is much bigger than I can understand. He is all about the big picture. My job is to, "Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing."
September 11 - Missionary Weapons
I am to be faithful in the everyday events of my life. The little things do matter. O.C says, "The things Jesus did were the most menial of everyday tasks, and this is an indication that it takes all of God's power in me to accomplish even the most common tasks in His way." I also like the quote, "It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the most menial duty as it ought to be done."
O.C. later talks about how many times we excuse our actions, or lack thereof, and say that we will do certain things or act certain ways when we are on the mission field. Well, guess what? This IS our mission field. Right here, right now is the mission field God has chosen for us. I think that Dee really does a great job of emphasizing this point to our youth. We don't have to be in another state or country to be a missionary. We are missionaries in our schools, in our church, in our homes, or wherever we are. What a concept! But, am I remembering that when I quickly get frustrated at my family? Or what about when I turn the other way to act like I didn't see my neighbor in her yard just so I don't have to stop and talk? On any given day, I encounter many more opportunities than I think I do. I pray that the Lord will show me where I need to grow in this area.
O.C. later talks about how many times we excuse our actions, or lack thereof, and say that we will do certain things or act certain ways when we are on the mission field. Well, guess what? This IS our mission field. Right here, right now is the mission field God has chosen for us. I think that Dee really does a great job of emphasizing this point to our youth. We don't have to be in another state or country to be a missionary. We are missionaries in our schools, in our church, in our homes, or wherever we are. What a concept! But, am I remembering that when I quickly get frustrated at my family? Or what about when I turn the other way to act like I didn't see my neighbor in her yard just so I don't have to stop and talk? On any given day, I encounter many more opportunities than I think I do. I pray that the Lord will show me where I need to grow in this area.
September 10 - Missionary Weapons
Today's devotion made me think of Haiti and our missionaries there. Especially Charles Amicy who I have received an email from updating everyone on the effects of Hurricane Ike. O.C. talks about worshiping God daily so that "we will be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis", and I consider this a great crisis for Charles and his family. Charles, with complete devastation around him, praises the Lord. He gives praise and glory to God that he and his family are alive! How many times would I look around and focus on everything I lost instead of everything that was spared?? Charles is a true example to me. O.C. also says, "Crises always reveal a person's true character." Charles' godly character shines in the midst of the darkness they are experiencing. Praise the Lord!
September 9 - Do It Yourself
"In our Lord's life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father's will." Once again, Jesus is the ultimate example for us and we are to model our lives after His. He was so in tune with His Father that NOTHING He did was outside His Father's will.
O.C. points out that we are naturally inclined to act out of impulse. How true is that in my life?? We are to, "imprison and discipline ourselves to obey Christ". What a message!
O.C. points out that we are naturally inclined to act out of impulse. How true is that in my life?? We are to, "imprison and discipline ourselves to obey Christ". What a message!
September 8 - Do It Yourself
The war against sin is won! Praise Jesus who gave His life for us! Today's devotion brought me to Romans 6. Verses 6 & 7 say, "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Later in verses 22 & 23, Paul says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." I am so undeserving of His grace!
September 4 - His!
Today's reading is a timely challenge to "be entirely His". There are so many things that compete for our attention!! We must live in the world, but not be consumed by it. I like the quote "The Holy Spirit expounds the nature of Jesus Christ to me in order to make me one with my Lord, not that I might go off as a showroom exhibit." Personally, I kind of wish that during the sanctification process He would undo all of our "quirks" and make us all showroom exhibits. Wouldn't we be more winsome then? I know that it doesn't work that way, so I assume that He must derive more glory from our dependence on Him than from making us appear perfect. As Paul noted in 2 Corinthings 12:10 "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
September 2 - The Sacrament of Sacrifice
I pretty much understand the concept that it is not about us. O.C. says "our Lord's teaching is always anti-self-realization", and I think that's right. He also says "we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us." In practical terms, I'd love some insight as to how this concept fits with other biblical principles, such as hard work (found throughout Proverbs); not wasting the gifts God has given (parable of the talents), etc. I guess what I'm wondering is that if we take the "anti-self-realization" concept too far (or in the wrong direction), do we potentially miss some of what God may have for us? Perhaps if we're truly walking in harmony with the Lord, this is a moot point?
Since I got us off track yesterday, I figured I'd might as well fully derail us by just asking these questions today (instead of trying to offer insight). Hope that's okay.
Since I got us off track yesterday, I figured I'd might as well fully derail us by just asking these questions today (instead of trying to offer insight). Hope that's okay.
September 3 - The Waters of Satisfaction Scattered
A couple of things jumped out from today's reading. First, the statement "We can be lustful in things which are not sordid and vile." I never understood this concept until I heard "lust" defined (by Dallas Willard) as "having to have something NOW". The sin is the urgency/adamacy to have the thing. It's a sin, mainly because you're trusting that "thing" to bring hapiness or contentment. The reality of this concept hit home with me once with some plants. I just had to have these certain plants for my garden. I searched high and low and wouldn't be content until I found those plants. Once I had them in my garden, though, they didn't bring the satisfaction I had hoped; in fact, they died.
I think expanding the above concept helps me to understand what the rest of today's devotional is about. God often blesses us with things, but when the blessing becomes our focus (instead of the blessing giver being the focus) we derail. This can occur when God blesses us with a spouse, children, a home -- whatever. O.C. provides a good "gut-check". Have I become bitter and sour about ___? If so, then I've been clutching it to myself too tightly.
I think expanding the above concept helps me to understand what the rest of today's devotional is about. God often blesses us with things, but when the blessing becomes our focus (instead of the blessing giver being the focus) we derail. This can occur when God blesses us with a spouse, children, a home -- whatever. O.C. provides a good "gut-check". Have I become bitter and sour about ___? If so, then I've been clutching it to myself too tightly.
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