“But none of
these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.” (Acts 20:24)
“It
is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call,
because then you are
not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over
with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more
leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive
a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come
like a goad; you will not longer be able to work for Him on the common-sense
basis.
What do I really count dear? If I have
not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear, time given to God
dear, my life dear unto myself. Paul says he counted his life dear only in
order that he might fulfill the ministry he had received; he refused to use his
energy for any other thing. Acts 20:24 states Paul’s almost sublime annoyance
at being asked to consider himself; he was absolutely indifferent to any
consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received.
Practical work may be a competitor against abandonment to God, because
practical work is based on this argument—Remember how useful you are here,
or—Think how much value you would be in that particular type of work. That
attitude does not put Jesus Christ as the Guide as to where we should go, but
our judgment as to where we are of most use. Never consider whether you are of
use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.”
Taken
from Devotions
for MORNING and EVENING with OSWALD CHAMBERS Inspirational Press
New York. (pg 132
for March 4th)
“For God did not
call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” (1 Tess. 4:7, NKJV))
OUR DAILY BREAD
Please
help me, Lord, in all I do
To
act and think with motives true;
And
by Your love reveal to me
Those
sins that only You can see. —D. De Haan
In
our desire to help, let’s love with pure motives.”
(4/7/12)
Be
sure to check tonight’s post: BECOMING
MORE FRUITFUL
UNDER
THE SHADOW OF THE MOST HIGH. KEEP OUT!: Prayer Note # 37
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