November 18: Winning Into Freedom
Today's Reading: http://www.myutmost.org/11/1118.html
Dear Jesus, This lesson really puts a load of responsibility on us, doesn't it. All my life I have heard people say, "That's just the way I am. I can't help it!" But Your Word is clear.... we are not let off the hook that easily!. And I thank You for that!! You love us enough to be stern with us, reminding us repeatedly that to choose the easy way is to choose despair. And yet, even though You are God Almighty, You never insist or force us to do anything. You stand with authority, Your still, small voice compelling, waiting for us to choose: "IF a man would come after Me, he must DENY himself, take up his cross and follow Me." Chambers is absolutely right -- we must "stop listening to the tyranny of our individuality and get emancipated out into personality"...which "always wants more and more" of God.
Lord, I pray that all the children of my heart will learn this truth and QUICKLY!!! Each of them are created with such special gifts that could rock this world if they were given totally to You. It is so very hard at first to give up one's individuality. I remember the process as though it were some sort of surgery! I felt as though I were an onion and that You were peeling away one layer of myself after another. Personal dream after dream was peeled off and cast away, and there seemed to be nothing left but the core. I remember calling out to You, "Lord, if you don't redress me soon, there will be nothing left!!!" Oh, but You did re-create me and I'm so much happier now than I ever imagined that my old dreams and ambitions could have made me. May You also re-create my loved ones and give them a joy unspeakable and full of glory!!!
Help them to fully understand the truth of John 8:31-34-6 when You said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the tuth will set you free.... I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a SLAVE to sin... If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Dear Jesus, This lesson really puts a load of responsibility on us, doesn't it. All my life I have heard people say, "That's just the way I am. I can't help it!" But Your Word is clear.... we are not let off the hook that easily!. And I thank You for that!! You love us enough to be stern with us, reminding us repeatedly that to choose the easy way is to choose despair. And yet, even though You are God Almighty, You never insist or force us to do anything. You stand with authority, Your still, small voice compelling, waiting for us to choose: "IF a man would come after Me, he must DENY himself, take up his cross and follow Me." Chambers is absolutely right -- we must "stop listening to the tyranny of our individuality and get emancipated out into personality"...which "always wants more and more" of God.
Lord, I pray that all the children of my heart will learn this truth and QUICKLY!!! Each of them are created with such special gifts that could rock this world if they were given totally to You. It is so very hard at first to give up one's individuality. I remember the process as though it were some sort of surgery! I felt as though I were an onion and that You were peeling away one layer of myself after another. Personal dream after dream was peeled off and cast away, and there seemed to be nothing left but the core. I remember calling out to You, "Lord, if you don't redress me soon, there will be nothing left!!!" Oh, but You did re-create me and I'm so much happier now than I ever imagined that my old dreams and ambitions could have made me. May You also re-create my loved ones and give them a joy unspeakable and full of glory!!!
Help them to fully understand the truth of John 8:31-34-6 when You said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the tuth will set you free.... I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a SLAVE to sin... If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
posted by Jane at 5:20 AM
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