The Brave Comradeship of God

The bravery of God in trusting us! It is a tremendously risky thing to do, it looks as if all the odds were against Him. The majority of us don't bother much about Him. and yet He deliberately stakes all He has  on us, He stands by and lets the world, the flesh, and the Devil do their worst, confident we will come out all right. All our Lord succeeded in doing during His life on earth was to gather together a group of fishermen-- the whole church of God and the enterprise of our Lord on earth in a fishing boat!

We say, "It seems out of all proportion that God should choose me--I am of no value"; the reason He chooses us is that we are of no value.It is folly to think that because a man has natural ability, he must make a good Christian. People with the best natural equipment may make the worst disciples because they will "boss" themselves. It is not a question of our equipment, but of our poverty, not what we bring with us, but what He puts in us; not our natural virtues, our strength of character, our knowledge, our experience; all that is of no avail in this matter; the only thing that is of avail is that we are taken up into the big compelling of God and made His comrade.

~Oswald Chambers~

For (simply) consider your own call, brethren; not many (of you were considered to be) wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not of high and noble birth.

(No) for God selected ( deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.

And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are.

So that no mortal man should (have pretense for glorying and) boast in the presence of God.

But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, (revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as) our Righteousness ( thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God), and our Consecration (making us pure and holy), and our Redemption (providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin).

So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly glory in the Lord.

~1 Cor.1:26-31~Amp

Let Your Light so Shine...

I just can't help but share these thoughts. We are in a time when theres so much confusion, twisted, warped, false doctrines out there that it's been a real burden on my heart. It's hidden behind healings and signs, exactly what Jesus is talking about in the latter days. Theres less of repentance and alot about love and this is where the devil is having a hayday. This is what I read today....

This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 

What was the sign of Jonah? I read it was repent.

The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater then Jonah is here.

                         Luke11:29-32

No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 

Now here is what that lamp is...

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. BUT if your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. THEREFORE, TAKE HEED!! that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.

           Luke11:33-36

The way I understand this for myself is that if I walk in this light, it will be known to others without me making it known in words, this light will radiate without a lot of talk, it will show in everything I do, the way I conduct myself in every way. But if there be any sin in my life, worldliness attached, it can't be light, it creates confusion and darkness. If we boast about God's love, we need to walk in obedience to His word, we will keep His commandments. That is how we will recognize it in others, the fruit we bear gives evidence of this light. It's just plain, God's word clearly says it and I believe it. 

Have you ever walked into a place where it seems darkness is felt and in walks somebody walking in this obedience, how that person is a beam of light? How can anything that has the worlds look alike think it can draw those that walk in darkness, that even bear the fruit of darkness, to win it to that light, if it resembles the darkness? There has to be a distinction all the way through.

If you do not obey the light,it will turn into darkness. (Utmost)

Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the light.

Spiritual Confusion

There is a time in spiritual life when God does not seem to be a friend.Everything was clear and easily marked and understood for a while, but now we find ourselves in a condition of darkness and desolation. The parable of the persistent friend is the illustration Jesus gives of how the heavenly Father will appear in spiritual confusion--as a man who does not care for his friends.We are in need, or our friends or our families are in need, and though we go to God who has been our friend all through, He does nothing at all. It is as if Jesus said to His disciples,"There are times when the heavenly Father will look like that,but don't give up, remember I have told you, 'Everyone who asks receives.' "In the meantime the friendship of God is completely shrouded. There are things that have no explanation, but maintain your relationship to God, "hang in" in confidence in Him, and the time will come when everything will be explained. It is only by going through the confusion that we shall get at what God wants us to get at.....

Jesus said, "Everyone who asks receives." We say, "I have asked and I have not received." It is because we ask in spiritual confusion. Jesus said to James and John: "You do not know what you ask"; they were brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's cup and baptism, but not in the way they expected.

Oswald Chambers

Have you ever been in a place like that? I have numerous times. Its not a pleasant place to be in our Christian life but I think it's a needful place to be. Thats where we build trust and faithfulness to our King. I can also testify that many things have become clear in a more wonderful way than I anticipated.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone that asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

           Luke 11:9

Leading Others Astray

This morning in my quiet time I read in a book I use along with my Bible reading something very eye opening and thought provoking, something that smote me deep in my heart and caused me to stop and check all my motives, my speech and actions. Maybe if you all read this you will understand. I was convicted, and if it wasn't for the grace of my dear Lord and Savior I would have despaired, because I had to face it, how many times have I thoughtlessly out of habit said or acted in a way that could have led another to sin. I'm accountable to live and act in such a way that I will not provoke others where they may be weak. That would include in every aspect of life, be it food, drink, what I wear, how I talk, my compassion or lack of it or little things I may overlook and do not stand for what I believe as to  what God would desire, or stand around or be part of malicious gossip. May God help us!

When you cause anyone to sin, you take the devil's office out of his hand. Let him do it himself if he can, but never allow him to use you as a hireling. Tempting someone else to sin is worse than sinning yourself. Those who tempt others plant their own wickedness in fertile fields and raise up new seed to the devil. To cultivate the devil's crop of sin with the evil in your heart shows sin is mighty in you indeed. Parents, especially, must guard against such a heinous act. What are they but devils incarnate who, by their own example, teach their children the devil's catechism--to swear and lie and drink?

Do you not know what you do when you tempt? I will tell you. You do that which cannot be undone by your own repentance. You contaminate your family and friends with error, and send them rushing to join the devil's throng. Later, you may see your mistake and turn from your wicked way. But can you force those you have led astray to fight against the press of the worldly crowd to get to Jesus at all cost?

Your heart may break, like Lamech's, with the weight of your sorrow. But unfortunately their rescue is out of your hands. What a grief to your spirit to see them on the road to hell and know you paid the toll, yet not be able to call them back! Even after you are dead and gone,your sins may not be perpetuated in those who are alive, generation after generation. By William Gurnall

We need the blood of Christ! I see no other way. and His mercy. And first of all we need deep repentance if we live in sin so that the blood of Jesus can atone for us. Let us all take to heart, wake up and flee this evil one and allow God to draw us near to Him with a true heart. God have mercy on us.

By the way, if anyone would like to read a book that goes very well for a devotional along with your Bible, this book I read is titled-The Christian in Complete Armor, Daily readings in spiritual warfare. I got mine from a thriftstore and later ordered them from amazon. It's powerful reading!