Friday, September 30, 2005

September 30: The Commission of the Call

The NIV translation of Chamber's selected verse (Colossians 1:24): "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions."

This verse is one of the most perplexing in the whole Bible, causing me to spend hours trying to figure out just what it means. Every time I run across it, there seems to be another layer of meaning. I think the redundant passage in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 sheds a lot of light on the subject. http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:%203-11;&version=31;

How perfectly Chamber's commentary fits into this. Boy, do I EVER resent being crushed by some types of circumstances. Perhaps I never realized just how much I want to "choose the scene of my own martyrdom."

Dear Jesus, in light of this devotion's powerful admonitions, I feel so foolish. Please help us all mature to the point where we are not only willing to be crushed by any set of circumstances that You think best, but that we will also become the sweetest of wines to comfort Your other children. Remind us constantly that we have not yet gone to heaven because You want to use us to make this world a better place. Thank You for not losing patience with us and our sinful arrogance. Do whatever it takes to make us of benefit to Your people.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

September 29: The Consciousness of the Call

"The call of God...comes with the undercurrent of the supernatural, something that cannot be put into words..." Ah-ha! That explains it!!! I have told people for years that when God talks to me, it must not be in English, because I have the most terrible time trying to recount the experience to other people. Yet those experiences have turned my life from slow-motion black-and-white dreariness to vibrant living-color adventures.

I shout an affirming YES that "if you agree with God's purpose He will bring not only your conscious life, but all the deeper regions of your life which you cannot get at, into harmony."

Thank You, Jesus, for choosing me!!! Thank You, Lord, for choosing the children of my heart!!! Thank You for the gift you bestowed as one of Your final acts on this earth: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27. Thank You that with Your call comes a trust so firm that "no matter how untoward circumstances are" we are like Job and boldly proclaim "though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him." Job 13:15.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

September 28: The "Go" of Unconditional Identification

I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. My computer crashed!! It is up and running again (at least for now), and I praise God for that.

I do wish I could have an audio feed into your minds when you have been reading some of these last lessons from "My Utmost." I would love to hear all the arguments that "the natural man" inside of all of us has been screaming at you. Even though I've been working for years toward the goal of "absolute annihilation of my right to myself and identification with Himself," I still hear those arguments every time I read this.

Those arguments today have been about Jesus v. family. The screaming voice (certainly not the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit) contends that it is impossible to possess "a heart broken forever from allegiance to any other person or thing" without disobeying other passages of scripture. A simple question quiets the noise: "Jesus, would You please explain this to me?"

Yes, the Bible repeatedly tells us to sacrifice for others. In I Corinthians 7, Paul deals extensively with this subject, even suggesting that we could more perfectly serve Jesus if we don't marry because married people HAVE to keep the needs of their spouse in mind. But he is careful to assert in v. 17 that each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has assigned him.

I could write an entire book on this subject, but let me stress one thing. If you have put Jesus first in your single years, dating only those who share your eternal interests, He will give you a life partner that will share your mission, the reason that you were placed on this earth. If both of you place Jesus as Number 1 in your lives, then neither will resent being Number 2. For the sake of your happiness here on this earth, determine today that you will let Jesus arrange a marriage for you. If you start to date, let your first prayer be "If this is not the right one, then Jesus please break us up quickly!"

Jesus, I fervently pray for these children of my heart that they will find the life mate that You have chosen for them. May the mission of their lives be to serve You first, even above each other. May their hearts be so unselfish that they will be willing to sacrifice time with their spouse when You direct it and at other times be willing to sacrifice their own desires to minister to their family as You direct. To keep You in the driver's seat is to open the door to a earthly happiness that few have ever known.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

September 22: The Missionary's Master

[Again, we are leaving town for a few days. I don't have much time to post this morning, so I will just go right to the important part - the prayer. Talk to you all when we get back!!]

Jesus, do we see You as You really are? Do we rebel against You at times because we think You are forcibly taking away our desires and "mastering" us? Forgive us, Lord, when we falsely accuse You because we have not taken the time to pour over Your scriptures and really learn who You are. Teach us more about what Chambers has explained in today's reading, that You are truly our loving Master who always knows what is best but will never force us to obey. Most importantly, (at least for me at this time) teach us to trust You even when circumstances seem impossible and our hearts are heavy with grief. Give us the courage to submit to both Your mercy (even when we don't think someone deserves it) and Your justice (even when it affects those we care deeply about.) By faith, I publicly proclaim that You are the Master, and that Your ways are always right. When we are in the midst of difficult circumstances, may we deliberately renew our commitment to You and pledge to You our undying love and allegiance.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

September 21: Missionary Predestinations

"The purpose for which the missionary is created is that he may be God's servant, one in whom God is glorified."

Notice the difference in Chambers' definition of a missionary and the world's definition: "mis-sion-ar-y n. A person sent to propagate religion or to do educational or charitable work in some place where his church has no self-supporting local organization; hence, one who spreads any new system or doctrine."

The church has largely bought into the world's definition and is therefore missing the point. Yes, a few of God's servants have heard a call to go to a distant place and "be God's servant, one in whom God is glorified." But those of us left in local churches should realize that we are missionaries, too!! Our mission fields are those people that we see at work, at school, at play. Their needs are no less important than the people in Africa, and we are so selfish if we lose sight of that.

If you resist this idea because you think a missionary is suppose to be some super saint and you don't feel the call, then you, too, have bought into that world point of view. Come to grips with the prevalent theme of Old and New Testament teaching that ALL Christians are called to "be God's servant, one in whom God is glorified." As you embrace the truth that "you are created for God" and not for yourself, you will find yourself in daily contact with those who need God's touch through you. Relax! You will not need to determine to minister or witness, because the circumstances will play out naturally. If others say to you, "Wow, that was really nice of you to help that person!" you will be confused at their praise.

Dear Jesus, please let us concentrate on only one thing --- glorifying You and enjoying You forever. If we just do that then we will automatically "rely on the tremendous creative purpose of God." Teach us t0 recognize our own intentions and let You crush them immediately. Let us surrender completely to You so that You can force through our hearts the interest of the whole world. Lord, I know that one of the children of my heart has a specific missionary assignment from You to help a devastated non-believer. Thank You for this heart of compassion that came as naturally as breathing. Continue to orchestrate the circumstances that will bring the hurting one to Yourself.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

September 20: The Divine Rule of Life

Chambers eloquently teaches a lesson that I learned long ago, but which never seems to get any easier to do. No matter how despicable they are or how angry that I am, my prayer should always be, "Lord, help me love them like You love them." Most of the time, I say that prayer through clinched teeth, yet, amazingly, He will somehow give me the strength to forgive and to love.

Another thing that amazes me is that God's love rarely takes the same form twice. Sometimes it is compassion, another time honesty and "tough love." Sometimes it is words of comfort; the next it is sitting in silence. Sometimes it is reaching out to a stranger; sometimes it is anonymous prayer.

Jesus, please empower us to bury our own fickle emotions and trust You to give us Your love for mankind. If we spend time concentrating on the circumstances, we will be totally overwhelmed and rendered useless. If, however, we concentrate on You, then we will find our orders from You to be a "yoke that is easy and a burden that is light" as we surrender to be Your tool to touch the world.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Sept. 17 - Sept 19: re: Temptation

Twenty-eight years ago, a beautiful, sweet young girl straight out of high school married an aspiring young minister. This past Saturday night that same person, now hardened and unattractive, was drunkenly dirty dancing with her own son on the dance floor at her daughter's wedding in front of members of her husband's congregation as well as many high officials of his conservative denomination.

How could this tragedy ever happen? She didn't follow Chamber's advice: "Watch when God shifts your circumstances, and see whether you are going with Jesus, or siding with the world, the flesh, and the devil."

You see, about twenty years ago, she moved next door to a friendly neighbor, a Catholic who saw nothing wrong with social drinking. As they became fast friends, the minister's wife decided that there was really nothing wrong with joining her friend for a little glass of wine as they lounged around the pool, in spite of the fact that not only would her husband certainly not approve, but that if this became public knowledge it could cost him his ministry. I'm sure she never dreamed that giving in to such a "small" temptation would ever lead to her public humiliation and the countless broken hearts of her family and friends.

Jesus....Jesus... Sometimes when my heart is clenched in sorrow, I can find no words for prayer, and all I can do is to call out Your name. Please teach the children of my heart this extremely important lesson today, so that when they face the seemingly small temptations of tomorrow they will hear Your voice and obey, thus avoiding the tragedies of the future.

Friday, September 16, 2005

September 16: The Divine Region of Religion

(I won't be able to post for the next two days because we will be in Baton Rouge for our niece's wedding. We are not looking forward to all the traffic delays, but at least we don't live there anymore and don't have to stay in it all the time!)

"Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God."

Chambers points us toward a high calling, but it is a goal not easily attained. After contemplating this reading for quite some time, I'm ashamed to admit that I'm just too selfish to know for sure if my main motive in prayer is to reach perfect communion with God. Even if I pray more for others than myself, what is my real motivation there? Is it really because I am so tuned in to the Spirit's voice that I am responding to His promptings? Perhaps, am I just uncomfortable when I see other people's needs and I primarily want to relieve my own discomfort more than theirs? How much of my motivation comes from wanting to think of myself as a prayer warrior? When I pray for someone everyday, is that doing like Jesus commanded in Luke 18:1-8 or am I using "vain repetitions"?

I don't know.

The only reason that I voiced these self-doubts to all of you is to stress that none of that matters! Regardless of what our motivations, we have no hope of getting into that perfect communion with God unless we keep praying. Fling aside any self-doubts or any other obstacles and KEEP PRAYING! We already knew that we are flawed creatures and will remain so until we get to heaven, so KEEP PRAYING!

Jesus, thank You so much for giving us prayer as a means of talking with (not just to) You. Like little children, we would be lost without Your constant presence. Please clarify our muddled minds and show us how to correctly pray. Bring us to the point where we are constantly "on-line" with You whether we are talking directly to You or not.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

September 15: What to Renounce

Did you notice how Chambers intentionally remains vague in this entire devotion? By doing so he is allowing the Holy Spirit to prod us individually as we go about our lives today. Don't be surprised if out of the blue, a capital letter thought almost stops you in your tracks as you recall something about your life that you really don't want anyone else to know. Let us all determine at this moment, that when that happens we will simply renounce it! The Bible promises a wonderful benefit is we do!!

If you haven't already done so, continue reading 2 Corinthians chapter 4. I'll make it easy for you and provide a link (thanks to Kevin!) http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=II%20Corinthians%204:1-18;&version=31;65;51;46;77;

All of us are struggling to not drown in our hectic schedules. This passage starts with "we do not lose heart," because after "we have renounced secret and shameful ways" then "...we have this treasure...to show that this all-surpassing power is from God." Then the part we most need to hear starts in verse 8:
We are pressed.....but not crushed
Perplexed......but not in despair
Persecuted.....but not abandoned
Stuck down....but not destroyed

Be sure to read the rest!!

Dear Jesus, thank You for this timely lesson for the stressed-out children of my heart. Of course the world makes tremendous demands upon them for You have gifted them more than most people. Although they are capable of doing so many things well, there is still only 24 hours in their day just like for the average person. Without Your treasure in their clay tabernacles, they will be crushed, despairing, and destroyed. Remind them to keep full of You so they can receive Your all-surpassing power.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

September 14: Imagination vs. Inspiration

What a conundrum! (I just love that word!!)

When we are out of step with God, we can't think clearly enough to know what to do to get right with God so we will be able to think clearly again. Yep, that's confusing...just like the confusion that we will continue to live in until we do one simple thing. OBEY!!

Even when it makes no sense....OBEY!
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thought than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Even when you don't want to...OBEY!
"Be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that youmay increase greatly in the land." Deuternonomy 6:3

Even when others are advising you differently...OBEY!
"Whatever you have learned or received...put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9

Even when it seems a certain path to disaster...OBEY!
"If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment." Job 36:11

Even when we see no way out...OBEY!
"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

And once we have taken that leap of faith, the fog rolls away and we sigh, "So that's why He wanted me to do that!!"

Jesus, keep us so in touch with You that we will instantly obey Your voice, thus avoiding the
"spiritual muddle." We are too brain-damaged to be trusted to know what is the right thing to do in all situations, but You always know. May we all trust You more each day.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

The 17th Chapter of John

Oswald Chambers uses verse 4 from this chapter for his 9/13 devotion. I just wanted to encourage all of you to read the whole chapter. To read it is to be bathed in love!! To think that the only Son of God has prayed for us, even though we would not exist until nearly 2000 years after His prayer (verses 20 and 9). That thought totally overwhelms me!!

September 13: After Surrender - What?

Believe Chambers when he says that "the great crisis is the surrender of the will." Praise the Lord, he is equally correct when he says that once "the man yields up his will to Him, that battle never needs to be refought." You see, the battle to give up your rights to God is so intense and so bloody that it makes the fights in the Rocky movies look like toddlers tousling in the sand. The good news is that the habit of surrender gets much easier after that first all-out war.

So where are you in this process? Are you thinking that giving Him your heart is enough and that you aren't sure you want to give Him the rest of you? Or are you like I was when I first read this -- plain ole hopping mad!!!

If Hollywood had made a movie of that war, the first battle scene would have been of me strapping on the armour of my own self-worth and drawing the sword of self-pity as I warily circled the presence of the Lord. Radiating anger and distrust, the camera would have zoomed into a close-up shot of my face, with eyes bulging and blood vessels popping, as I screamed:

"Give up ALL my rights?!?! That's insane!! Of course, I have the right to be treated fairly, to resist someone who was wrong, to have good health, to protect my family and my job, to shield myself from sorrow. To surrender all of that would be sheer lunacy.... I would be totally vulnerable and only an idiot would strip themselves naked of all defenses, close their eyes and wait while the evil world devoured them......."

And that's just scene I!!! I think you get the picture!

Oh Jesus, I wish that I could somehow make this process of self-surrender easier for these children of my heart. Yet I know that if You, the Creator of the universe, will not "crush a man's will into surrender" and if You will "never beseech him," then I must follow Your example and wait while they make that decision with their own free will. Having fought that battle and lost to Your will, I can now easily see how much more freedom I possess since I surrendered to You. I want to climb the rooftops and shout to the world, "It's okay to let it all go!! Our God is so very worthy of your trust!!" Strengthen them for this battle, for when they have fought it and You have won, they will be an amazing force in this world!!

Monday, September 12, 2005

September 12: By Spiritual Confusion

Having gone through many periods of confusion with Jesus at my side, I have learned that He is absolutely worthy of our trust! I still will cry out to Him, "Lord, what are You doing???" But now my words are a genuine plea for direction instead of a scathing expression of contempt.

Even though it hurts our egos, it is best if we compare ourselves to infants when making analogies about our relationship with God. Imagine how a two-year old feels when forced by his parents to undergo treatment for cancer. Feeling terrible already, it is inconceivable to him why the people that he trusts the most would force him to go to a scary hospital, undergo painful surgery, and then repeatedly take him to be injected with poison (chemotherapy) that makes him even sicker. It is impossible to explain to a child that age that all of this is for his good. Likewise, with our limited perspective of God's plan, it is impossible at times for us to see why God allows us to go through such pain. The only logical path to take is to TRUST HIM!!!

Jesus, please teach the children of my heart to be so used to daily contact with You that they will still be able to hear your voice when they are confused and in pain. Even when You seem to be completely shrouded, let them tenaciously hang on in confidence to You. Even if there is a shadow on the face of the Father, let them trust that You will ultimately reveal and justify Your plan. I fervently pray that You will find them faithful in spite of confusion. Remind us constantly that You have bigger issues at stake than the particular thing we might ask!!!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

September 11: Missionary Munitions - Ministering as Opportunity Surrounds Us

In 1981, our congregation built a whole new church. We hadn't been attending very long, but I wanted to help. As I drove up, I told the Lord I would do whatever they needed me to do. I just wasn't prepared for them to need me to clean construction-dirty toilets. Yet the smile never left my face as I loaded up with cleaning supplies and headed off for two hours of working alone.

Looking back, I think that day was a mile-stone in my spiritual life. By submitting to work I neither liked or am gifted to do (if you've ever been to my house on the spur of the moment, you've noticed that I am "domestically challenged"), I learned a huge lesson in "being very selectly God's in any haphazard surroundings which He engineers for us." Chambers was right on when he said, "It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the meanest duty as it ought to be done."

Jesus, help us to "go the second mile with You." Help us to "run steadily in the little ways," so we can do mighty things in the crisis. Help us to learn to look for clues in the kind of people You bring around us so that we can find what kind of person that we have been to You.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Comment on Stacie's Sept. !0th, Part I post

I decided to comment on this post where everyone would be sure to read it because I think it is something we all need to keep to the forefront of our minds.

While reading "My Utmost for His Highest" is tremendously inspiring and our writings reflect our introspection into what the Holy Spirit is teaching us, we must never let this blog become first priority in our worship. To do so is to miss the point that Chambers has been trying to teach us.

The heart of our worship must always be about Jesus!! So if any of you have to choose between posting on this blog and just spending time with Jesus, don't let any sense of guilt deprive you of the initmacy of your relationship with Him. There have been days when I am rushing to get ready to go sub and trying to write on here, and suddenly realize that I haven't taken the time to get quiet and pray. That is letting the good rob me of the best!!

If you don't have time to write, we will miss you and your insights. But you must stubbornly cling to the determination to put Jesus first! Ultimately, we and the rest of the world will benefit from your right choice!!

Missionary Munitions: Worshipping as Occasion Serves

We all might need to read this lesson twice. I have learned from living a half century that these words of wisdom are absolutely correct. Especially true is "If you have not been worshipping as occasion serves, when you get into work you will not only be useless yourself, but a tremendous hindrance to those who are associated with you."

Jesus, we are all so much busier now that the school year has started, and it is so easy to shorten or eliminate our time with You because of the tyranny of the urgent demands that clamour around us. Please help us to refocus our priorities! Give us the determination to live out more paradoxes of successful Christian living:

-When it is hardest to pray, we MUST pray harder, for that gives us strength, peace, and wisdom!
-When we are the busiest, we MUST make time for worship with You, for then we are the most efficient!
-When we are the poorest, we MUST give You the first ten percent of our income, for then the remaining 90 percent lasts longer!
-When we are the most discouraged, we MUST give you praise, for as You inhabit the praises of your people, You give us peace that passes understanding and guard our heart and minds.

Lord, please bless these children of my heart. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit and teach them how to order their lives each day so that they will be ready for the big crisis and, therefore, bless the world!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Spetember 9: Do It Yourself (Determinedly Discipline Other Things)

This passage in II Corinthians 10:5 is one of my favorite scriptures to help me fight discouragement and "just do it!" No matter what my good intentions, I regularly do something that so disgusts me that I get in a pout and whine to Jesus about how He could never use an idiot like me. The Holy Spirit will remind me of this verse, and it rouses me to the work at hand: discipline myself!

Years ago I was listening to a radio interview with pitcher Dave Dravecky who lost his pitching arm and shoulder to cancer. He was talking about the "phantom pains" that he seemed to feel in the missing arm that were so intense that would keep him awake at night. Feeling much compassion for him, I immediately began to pray that those pains would miraculously disappear. So good so far.

Unfortunately, I then started thinking how cool it would be to find out later that after I, Superhero Prayer Warrior, had prayed that he was instantly better. Instantly I was overcome with self-loathing; how could God ever use any self-righteous, pious, puffed-up moron like me! But praise the Lord, just that morning I had read a few chapters in II Corinthians for my quiet time. The Holy Spirit mercifully reminded me of this passage:

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Casting down imaginations, we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV with a little KJV thrown in).

Well, I certainly had imaginations that needed casting down! I decided to use the gift of my imagination for a good cause, and pictured a POW camp in a certain spot of my brain. With vivid detail, I visualized rounding up every self-centered thought, binding them with the cords of this scripture, and throwing them behind the barbed wire as starving prisoners of this spiritual war. Yes, I might have thoughts come that are not Christ-like, but I certainly don't have to beat myself up over them or let them occupy my mind. By taking those thoughts as captives, I submit to the will of Jesus.

Unfortunately, the security is not very good at my POW camp and those thoughts sometime escape. When I find they are pillaging and ransacking my brain again, they are instantly recaptured and confined once more.

Dear Jesus, please help all of us determine to keep our thoughts and actions centered in Your will. Give us the discernment to recognize a problem thought and capture it before it has a chance to become a stronghold in our minds and certainly before it translates into an action of which You would disapprove. You are our strength! Remind us to lean on You!

Thursday, September 08, 2005

September 8: Do It Yourself (Determinedly Demolish Some Things)

Well, I needed this one.

Remember those prior lessons where Chambers tell us that we must instantly obey whenever we hear a directive from the Lord or we lose our intimacy with Him? Today's lesson reminds me that obedience is a decision to fight whatever is in the way of that compliance, even if it is my most formidable enemy - MYSELF!

This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but it is the quickest way to illustrate the point. Ever since I was a child, I have been prone to daydream. Now, these are definitely "G" rated episodes - scenarios that I might even write in a novel one day - but they are sometimes an act of disobedience. My argument with myself (no, really with God) is that this is innocent, so how could it be a barrier between Jesus and me. The answer is actually simple -- all the time I spend imagining the next "chapter" is time that is not spent praying, and that is what Jesus asks me to do.

Jesus, help me to internalize these wise words of your servant, Oswald Chambers. Let me gird myself for battle against my wily opponent - my own imagination. Empower me to release the keys to this kingdom of my heart and let You become the landlord, trusting that You will control how I use this aspect of the creativity You placed within me. As for the children on my heart, may they also use their considerable talents in the ways that You planned. As I bring each of them to mind, I pray that the world will be blessed as they sumbit to Your leadership and Your plan.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

September 7: Springs of Benignity

"Benignity"?? I had to look that one up. It means "1. Kindliness; beneficence. 2. A gracious action or influence. Synonyms BENEVOLENCE, MERCY."

That sounds like something that the world is in very short supply of right now and is another powerful reason for us to discipline ourselves to keep in touch with Jesus every day. I learned a long time ago that it is imperative that I have my quiet time with the Lord before I go substitute teach so that I can keep calm and show them agape love. I don't much like it that I have to get up at 5:30 am to do that, but if I want to be a "spring of water welling up to eternal life" to those kids, then that is what I must do.

Jesus, I feel a strong need to pray for the children of my heart as they start their new school years. Of course they will be busy with many worthy opportunities of study, service, and friendship. My prayer is that they will find a time each day to spend with You, their Best Friend, so that their lives will radiate You peace and love throughout each day. They are all such wonderful people! Bless them today and always!!

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

September 5: The Missionary Watching and September 6: Diffusiveness of Life

Yesterday, I couldn't get the Blogger Dashboard to come up on my computer for some reason, but these two lessons go hand-in-hand, so I decided to comment on them together.

Actually, I'm not going to comment directly on Chamber's words, because they are so powerful that there is no need. What I want to stress is the connection between the Holy Spirit and the "rivers of living water."

Being "filled with the Holy Ghost" or "baptized in the Holy Spirit" is scriptural fact. Unfortunately, among different denominations, it is one of the most widely argued facts in the Bible. Yet one aspect is common to almost all interpretations - "You will RECEIVE POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Acts 1:8. The important thing to keep in mind is that it is the Holy Spirit living within you that sends out that "river of living water."

All Christians have their hearts opened to the Spirit when they ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and become their Lord. Yet it is clear from scripture that we must take responsibility to become "filled with" or "baptized in" the Holy Spirit. Of course, the question is...How do we do that?

Because of the multiple controversies on this subject, I have learned that the wisest course of action is to let the Holy Spirit Himself do the teaching. Sometime when you want to dig a little deeper into ways of the Lord, settle in with your Bible, and meditate on the following scriptures. You may do this with confidence because of I Corinthians 2:16, " 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

John 14:16-17; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 2:4; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:17; Acts 15:8; Acts 19:6; John 7:38-39; I Peter 4:14; John 16:13-14; Luke 11:11-13; II Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:14; Galatians 3:14; I John 3:24, 4:13.

Why is it important to be filled with the Spirit?
1. Gives us power and boldness to witness (Acts 1:8)
2. Enables us to pray for God's will (Romans 8:26-27, I Corinthians 14:2)
3. Builds up our faith (Jude: 20; I Corinthians 14:4; Ephesians 6:18)
4. Is a sign to the unbelievers (I Corinthians 14:22; Mark 16:17-18)

Dear Jesus, please give us the supernatural wisdom to understand the Holy Spirit in the correct way. Teach us about Him and how He, as one member of the Trinity, works in our lives. Help us to hear His voice at all times, and then help us have the strength to do whatever He asks.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

September 4: His!

You have read today's lesson. Now, critique your internal response.

Do you feel uncomfortable or slightly rebellious at the idea that Jesus claims you as His possession, or do you feel loved and "at home" to know that He has bought you with a price? Are you still clutching any keys to specific kingdoms of your heart, or is your key-ring empty because you have transferred the title of ownership over to the Lord?

Either way, if you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and trust Him with your life, you are still saved. However, only if you submit to being His possession will you get to live in the manor house as a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). Otherwise, although you are still living in His land, you are not sharing His bounty because you are living in the slums with the other serfs.

Jesus, I know how hard it was for me to let go of the control of my life and become Your slave for this earthly life. Thank You so much for being patient with me and wooing me to Yourself. Because I want their joy to be full (John 15:11), I pray for these dear children of my heart, that they will also be able to surrender everything to You. In so doing, may their lives radiate the love and joy that will spill over from their hearts regardless of the circumstances. And I thank You for giving me the gift of having them as a part of my life; they will never know how special that they are and how much joy they bring to me.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

September 3: The Waters of Satisfaction Scattered

Neat! It is interesting that this particular passage would be used for today's lesson, because when I'm praying, I often refer to Craig, Drew, and Kevin as "The Three" or "The Three Mighty Men." That term of endearment comes from this chapter (II Samuel 23:3-17, esp v.13 and v. 17). "Such were the exploits of the three mighty men."

However, I must issue a warning: This lesson has a high perplexity level! I remember when I first read the story of the bravery of the mighty men, I was appalled that David would just pour out their gift. I had to go back to my concordance and find some passages about offering a drink offering to God and Old Testament ideas of sacrifice before I could even start to understand that kind of mentality.

Yet, unlike Chambers, I did not try to draw a parallel to my own life. Today's lesson makes me squirm, but I have lived long enough to understand the wisdom of his words. It is a wonderful thing to have love, friendship, and spiritual blessings, but when they become more important than a relationship with Jesus, only bad things result.

Jesus, give us the strength to let go of the things that You have given us. May we capture our selfish natures and bind them in the cords of trust that You will always provide for our needs. Let us act on the paradox that by giving away we will become full. When we receive Your blessing, help us "sacrifice it, pour it out, do with it what common sense says is an absurd waste."

Friday, September 02, 2005

September 2: The Sacrament of Sacrifice

Do you remember those low-budget horror films where an explosion or construction site causes a chasm to open up and dreadful vermin spill out and terrorize the town? Well, I have friends and family in Baton Rouge who are emailing me similar stories, but the creeping menace comes from human vermin who have been displaced from the evil pit known as New Orleans. The Baton Rouge people are carrying guns, living in fear of their lives, as hundreds of homeless people flood the town raping, stealing, murdering, high-jacking, and intimidating the residents. We are suppose to go there for my neice's wedding in two weeks, but the wild-west atmosphere is hindering food and gas resupply, so we aren't sure what will happen.

Now imagine how this scenario would play out if the displaced people were children of God who practiced Chambers' message of the sacrament of sacrifice. Instead of the self-centered, panic-inspired barbaric attitude that cries "Every man for himself," each person would be willing to let the blessings, limited as they may be, flow through his possesion to become a blessing for the next person who needs it.

In these times of our plenty, it is easy to intellectually recognize the spiritual lesson of the Dead Sea. Although it is filled with some of the richest elements of any body of water in the world, the Dead Sea can support no life because it has no outlet. It hoards all the treasures that it's tributaries supply, but has become deathly stagnant because it cannot share the wealth with lands further down the road. However, if we were in the position of the homeless of South Louisiana, would we be willing to share the limited food and water we could find, and give it with God's agape love? Would we be able to ignore our own thirst and hunger to fulfill the Lord's teaching of anti-self-realization? With great shame, I have to answer that I just don't know what I would do.

Almighty God, I stand before you so ashamed. Please strengthen my love for mankind, so that it becomes as natural as breathing to alleviate pain, even if I must sacrifice to do so. Especially, I pray for a supernatural love that will enable me to love the unlovely, to show compassion to the selfish, to sacrifice for the ruthless, and to quietly listen to the beligerant, so that by these actions I can show the world Your Love.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

September 1: Destiny of Holiness

What a powerful paradox! Chambers writes, "The preaching of the gospel awakens an intense resentment because it must reveal that I am unholy; but it also awakens an intense craving." I have heard these dueling emotions in all of us as we post or comment each day.

Does the word "holiness" make you uncomfortable? When I hear that word, I struggle with contradictory feelings of piousness v. humility; impossibility v. possibility; citizen of this world v. citizen of heaven, "resentment...(v.)...craving."

In this passage of I Peter, the Word of God points out that holiness requires:
1. Self-discipline (v.13) Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Chrit is revealed.
2. Separation from the world (v.14) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
3. Total commitment (v. 15-16) But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy."
4. Deep reverence for God (v.17) Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
5. Deep appreciation for the great price Jesus paid (v. 18-19) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without spot or blemish.

If you would like, you can also read an interesting paraphrase of this passage from "The Message" at http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=I%20Peter%201:13-19;&version=65

Dear Jesus, forgive us for trying to straddle the fence, wanting to feel equally at home with the ways of the world and the ways of a saint. Help us all to reject the resentment and give in to the craving that the Word of God places in us. Help us realize that not only our own personal happiness and contentment depends upon our holiness, but also the happiness of those that we influence in this world.