You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. --2 Timothy 2:3-4
Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet--not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the
rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ....
And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.
God Tells the Man Who Cares, 105-106.
"Lord, this prayer of Tozer seems so contrary to the spirit of today's church growth emphasis, celebrity pastors, and TV personalities. Enable me by your Holy Spirit to make this prayer genuinely mine. Amen."
This is from A.W. Tozer's daily devotional of March 30, 2009.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Staying the course
Numbers 14 is an interesting but tragic story. This is where the children of Israel missed it, they were supposed to go into the promised land.. the final leg of their journey after many days and great miracles and deliverances in the wilderness.. just one more step and then total victory, fullness of joys.. and they got cold feet. How tragic!
They looked at what they were up against and on the surface it did look daunting.. so they retreated.. they forgot 2 key things.. first that they were not alone, God was with them and had already promised to see them through and secondly that God had done it before in the past. Wow! that great Red Sea crossing, the defeat of Pharaoh's army without lifting a single sword, the miracluous feeding of all in the wilderness etc etc etc.. but still they got cold feet and then worse, they complained again.. it was one complaint too many.. God had had enough.. they should have realised by now that it was not about them but it was about Him.. His power, His purpose... He revoked their entry pass into the promised land except for only 2, Joshua and Caleb, who never stopped believing and staying the course.. in fact they were nearly stoned by the children of Israel because of their steadfastness in believing God.
Its amazing but true.. you can miss out on God's perfect purpose for your life if you refuse to stay the course.. if you jump ship.. Yes sometimes the going may get tough.. and painful and sometimes very unpopular with those around us so much so that you may feel like the lone ranger.. even though He has promised never to leave or forsake you.. At these times, it is important that you remember that complaining and self pity is not an option.. rather than complain.. Pray.. rather than self pity.. Worship God as you look ahead with the eye of faith... it is also good practice to count your blessings.. He who has done great things in the past for you, your friend, family, church member.. He can do same and greater for you in this situation.. please remember these and stay the course of faith.
You are blessed!
They looked at what they were up against and on the surface it did look daunting.. so they retreated.. they forgot 2 key things.. first that they were not alone, God was with them and had already promised to see them through and secondly that God had done it before in the past. Wow! that great Red Sea crossing, the defeat of Pharaoh's army without lifting a single sword, the miracluous feeding of all in the wilderness etc etc etc.. but still they got cold feet and then worse, they complained again.. it was one complaint too many.. God had had enough.. they should have realised by now that it was not about them but it was about Him.. His power, His purpose... He revoked their entry pass into the promised land except for only 2, Joshua and Caleb, who never stopped believing and staying the course.. in fact they were nearly stoned by the children of Israel because of their steadfastness in believing God.
Its amazing but true.. you can miss out on God's perfect purpose for your life if you refuse to stay the course.. if you jump ship.. Yes sometimes the going may get tough.. and painful and sometimes very unpopular with those around us so much so that you may feel like the lone ranger.. even though He has promised never to leave or forsake you.. At these times, it is important that you remember that complaining and self pity is not an option.. rather than complain.. Pray.. rather than self pity.. Worship God as you look ahead with the eye of faith... it is also good practice to count your blessings.. He who has done great things in the past for you, your friend, family, church member.. He can do same and greater for you in this situation.. please remember these and stay the course of faith.
You are blessed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
