Monday, January 16, 2012

Our Solitude With Him

                  Jesus does not take us alone and expound things to us all the time; He expounds things to us as we can understand them. Other lives are parables. God is making us spell out our own souls. It is slow work, so slow that it takes God all time and eternity to make a man and woman after His own purpose. The only way we can be of use to God is to let Him take us through the crooks and crannies of our own characters. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We do not know envy when we see it, or laziness, or pride. Jesus reveals to us all that this body has been harbouring before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look in with courage?

              We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves; it is the last conceit to go. The only One Who understands us is God. The greatest curse in spiritual life is conceit. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we shall never say- ‘Oh, I am so unwrorthy,’ because we shall know we are, beyond the possibility of stating it. As long as we are not quite sure that we are unworthy, God will keep narrowing us in until He gets us alone. Where there is any element of pride or of conceit, Jesus cannot expound a thing. He will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart. He will reveal inordinate affections – things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. We listen to many things in classes, but they are not an exposition to us yet. They will be when God gets us alone over them.”

Taken from Devotions for MORNING and EVENING  with OSWALD CHAMBERS    For 1/12  pg 24

Godly Living in an Ungodly Age by Dr. Charles Stanley  Read Titus 1:1-16

              “Our Founding Fathers created a governing framework based upon biblical principles. Slowly, we have changed from ‘one nation under God’ to a group of people who no longer want Him to be involved.

              Tragically, we’ve become, in numerous ways, an ungodly nation: many are driven by materialism and power; immorality and rebellion are prevalent; empty philosophy and false doctrine are widely acceptable. Underlying it all is a vocal decision to take God out of the nation’s ‘official business.’

Yet even in an unbelieving society, people can, as individuals, follow Jesus. But the world will continually disseminate faulty teachings, so believers must be discerning. Otherwise, erroneous messages can lead Christians to compromise their convictions. Then affections and priorities may change. Don’t let the world’s clamor make the Spirit’s voice less audible. Without His guidance, our minds become vulnerable to lies.

              The Word of God is a compass that keeps us headed in the right direction—even in the midst of confusing messages all around. We need to be consistently filled with truth by reading, believing, meditating upon, and applying Scripture. God also tells us to 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thess. 5:17). If our minds are focused upon Him, unholy beliefs will not be able to take root.

              The Word is our guidebook. We will still face difficulty as we live in this imperfect world—it is a confusing, dark place that entices us but never fulfills our true longings. Yet God’s truth will bring confidence and boldness, and His Spirit will direct and strengthen, enabling us to live victoriously.”

Words from Dr. Charles Stanley January 12 on Crosswalk.com

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”  Prov. 19:20 NKJV

jowildflowers@gmail.com   jean-oathout.blogspot.com 

Tomorrow’s post: God’s Original Plan: Prayer Note # 5

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