Lest We Think We Stand (Part 3)

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 1)

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 2)

Like Adam, his sons had to be tested, to prove whether or not they would believe and obey God's word. As sons and daughters of Adam, it is no different for us today. We too must be tested.

Cain's attitude is very prevalent in our world. He was willing to render obedience, but only on his terms, which, ultimately, was no obedience at all. 

"He would come in his own merits. He would not bring the lamb, and mingle its blood with his offering, but would present his fruits, the products of his labour. He presented his offering as a favour done to God, through which he expected to secure the divine approval. Cain obeyed in building an altar, obeyed in bringing a sacrifice; but he rendered only a partial obedience. The essential part, the recognition of the need of a Redeemer, was left out." (PP* 72) 

Isn't this so often the way we think? We attempt to serve God in our own strength, trying to do something for Him, instead of availing ourselves of the abundant Provision He has made for us. Yet, in spite of all this, God does not leave us to ourselves. He is merciful far beyond what we could ever comprehend, "not willing that any should perish". (2 Peter 3:9)

Throughout the entire story we God is thus working with Cain, giving him the opportunity to confess his sin and repent. In his anger, on the verge of committing the first murder in human history, God was reasoning with this unreasonable man, warning him that "sin lieth at the door". (Gen 4:7) And even though he rejected these divine warnings, God still offered him another chance.

"Notwithstanding that Cain had by his crimes merited the sentence of death, a merciful Creator still spared his life, and granted him opportunity for repentance." (PP 78)

Oh, Love that will not let me go! Even His judgements are not what we deserve, but are just and good, always with our very best interest in mind. Why do we question? Why do we doubt the One who wants our happiness even more than we ourselves do?

"The dark history of Cain and his descendants was an illustration of what would have been the result of permitting the sinner to live on forever, to carry out his rebellion against God...The divine sentence cutting short a career of unbridled iniquity, and freeing the world from the influence of those who had become hardened in rebellion, was a blessing rather than a curse." (PP 78)

And thus we see the sad depiction of what man truly is without Christ. But in Abel's life of faith is shown the completely contrasting principle.

"Through the shed blood he looked to the future sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had the witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted...Abel chose faith and obedience; Cain, unbelief and rebellion. Here the whole matter rested." (PP 72)

Likewise, we are left with a choice. 

"Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist in the world till the close of time...It is only through the merits of Jesus that our transgressions can be pardoned. Those who feel no need of the blood of Christ, who feel that without divine grace they can by their own works secure the approval of God, are making the same mistake as did Cain...True faith, which relies wholly upon Christ, will be manifested by obedience to all the requirements of God..." (PP 72, 73)

Christ IS our only hope. But the path of obedience is by no means easy.
 

"In all ages the wicked have hated those who were better than themselves. Abel’s life of obedience and unswerving faith was to Cain a perpetual reproof...The brighter the heavenly light that is reflected from the character of God’s faithful servants, the more clearly the sins of the ungodly are revealed, and the more determined will be their efforts to destroy those who disturb their peace...Whenever, through faith in the Lamb of God, a soul renounces the service of sin, Satan’s wrath is kindled." (PP 74, 75)

But this is the path which our Saviour trod, and He has promised that He will be with us until the end (see Matt 28:20). Will we accept the honour of walking with Him?

* PP (Patriarch and Prophets) 

A Date Of Note

I have always been fascinated by sequences in dates.

11-11-11.....10-11-12.....12-12-12 

And now, today. The last time this will happen for a long time:

11-12-13!

This drew my attention once again to another, much more important event, of which we know "neither the day nor the hour" (Matt 25:13). Not merely a once-in-a-lifetime event, this will only happen once in all eternity.

Will we be ready?

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 2)

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 1)
Lest We Think We Stand (Part 3)

Eve’s own words played a great role in her demise. She added to God's words, saying that they were not to touch the fruit (Genesis 3:3). This, however, was not the case. He had simply said, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) Hence, when Eve touched the fruit, feeling no adverse effect, the serpent used this against her, convincing her that eating it would be of no greater consequence.  She based her faith on very shaky ground, and sure enough, it crumbled beneath her.

Yet, to all appearances, we have not learned from this tragic lesson. Still we place our faith in mere mortals, exalting human words and works as the standard for our lives. We place far too much confidence in self, the very thing we should be most distrustful of. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We must pray like David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23, 24)

 
Then we continue to one of the saddest parts in this tragic history. Eve brings Adam the fruit. Unlike her, he is not deceived. He recognized this as the work of the enemy God had warned of. Now he must make his decision, a terrible struggle raging in his mind. Though he had enjoyed the companionship of God and angels, He lost sight of these blessings in comparison to his love for Eve. Adam loved gift more than Giver. In the crisis his true priorities,  who was most important to him, was revealed. (see Patriarch and Prophets p 56)

Our hearts are so deceitful. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12  Our course may, to all outward appearance, seem harmless, but we must beware. We cannot ignore the fact that the enemy uses those very things which are in and of themselves good to draw us away from the Source of all Life.

What do we automatically reach for when we have nothing else to do, when no one else is looking? Who has our hearts? Where do our thoughts constantly turn? The answers to these questions are vital in determining the direction of our lives, and, ultimately, our eternal destination.

Christ must have the heart. Our sweetest thoughts must be of Him (see Steps to Christ p 58). If this is not the case, don't despair! Pray. Plead. Wrestle. Never give up until this is true for you. The battle is not easy, but, praise God, Jesus has won the victory where human beings failed. In His strength we will overcome, if we only persevere. Keep coming to Him who will in no wise cast out.

 

“When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to tills end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's commandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, ‘if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ ”

(1 SM 382 )

Our Lord is merciful, faithful. He knows our very inmost hearts, and He is just and fair in His judgements. But may we not be guilty of abusing that mercy, of deceiving our own souls. 

 

 

 

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 1)

One fateful decision, history forever changed. Many are the lessons we must learn from the temptation and fall of our first parents. We cannot afford to keep making the same mistakes they did.

Angels had counselled Eve not to leave Adam’s side, yet when she realised she was alone, she ignored her apprehension, and, dismissing her fears, she decided to rely on her own strength and wisdom to discern and withstand evil (see Patriarchs and Prophets p 54).

How often don’t we make the same mistake. We miss the Saviour’s presence, but instead of returning to Him for strength to meet the trials we face, we decide to tackle them in our own strength. No sooner do we start, and we fall. Hard.

If human beings in a perfect, sinless state did not have the power to discern the snares of the enemy, how can we, after 6,000 years of degeneration, have the audacity to think we’ll be fine? If they couldn’t tell right from wrong, and see through the sophistries of the devil when he was new to his work of deception, how dare we think we can overcome after he has had millennia to practice and perfect it to a fine art?

Our ONLY safety is in constant surrender to Christ.

Time and again we will have to fall at His feet, plead for His forgiveness. We just cannot afford to give in. We must persevere. Keep coming to Him, despite our mistakes and failures. It is an age-old lie of Satan that we have gone too far for God to forgive us. This is what he told the angels who had united with him in his rebellion. But there was still hope for those who had been blinded by his deceptions (see Patriarchs and Prophets p 41).

The greatest danger is our delay. We know not what the morrow may bring.

"To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Hebrews 3:15

After his transgression, we find God asking Adam a number of questions, giving him ample opportunity to confess his guilt, but instead of sorrowful penitence, Adam attempted to cast blame...on Eve...on God. (see Patriarchs and Prophets p 57)

When we have erred, the worst thing we can do is avoid the conviction, passing the buck, attempting to just carry on with life as previous. Thus our hearts become hardened, and, should we come to repent later, it is so much harder to come back to God than if we had done it immediately.

God wants to restore our connection to Him. He desires our salvation even more than we ourselves do. Give your will, your thoughts, your feelings, your selfish heart to Him now. (They aren't worth keeping anyway!)

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 2)

Lest We Think We Stand (Part 3)

Faith is the Victory

Have you ever thought about what would happen if we really took God at His word? It may sound like another cliché, but what if we decided to take it beyond that? To REALLY believe. And ACT because we believe.

We've probably heard Mark 11:24 more times than we can count, but what does it really mean? "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." That simple? If you believe it, you have it.

If we study the miracles in Matthew 9:1–8 and John 5:2–9, we find insights into how this works. Would the men have been healed if they had waited to feel that they were healed before they acted on Christ’s word?

So what about us? Why are we waiting to feel that we can overcome? How is that supposed to work? It's not how Christ worked when He was here on earth, and He never changes.
 

 

You see, the problem is us. We literally believe we are to remain the way we’ve always been until Jesus comes, because we don’t feel that we have the victory. We are buying into one of Satan’s lies. True, we have no power to overcome on our own, BUT only we have the power to choose. God will not do this for us. God wants to sanctify us, but we cling to sin, hoping in vain to be saved with it. The reality is, we don’t even want to live without it. This is why it’s time we took a different approach: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

FAITH is the victory! Yes, we don’t, in our natural sinful state, even want victory. That’s why we have to pray for that desire. But too often we do this, and then just leave it there. This is where we fail! We MUST take it to completion. We MUST live as though we DO have that desire, as though we experience the victory, not because we feel it, but because God has promised. Strength IS provided, whether or not we feel it. We choose, He empowers. We act, He strengthens. Not the other way round. We prevent Him from helping us, because we do not choose. We sit waiting to someday miraculously wake up and find that we have the victory. It's like we expect the promise to be fulfilled in spite of us. But it’s up to us. We know 2 Corinthians 5:7 off by heart: "For we walk by faith, not by sight".  It's time we applied it. We cannot ever base our trust on feelings.

 

Like a train,

FACT - is the engine, FAITH - is the fuel, and FEELINGS - are the carriage.

 

“Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised” (Steps to Christ, p 49, 50). You choose to serve God. You confess your sins and give yourself to Him. You take Him at His word, believing His promise to make you righteous.

Put God's promises to the test, and see if He won't do great and mighty things for you. Remember, He has already poured out all of Heaven for you in one gift. Were it not for Him, we shouldn't even be alive today. There is no question as to whether or not He will grant you the strength for the victories you so desperately need. We know that He will not allow anything to afflict us that He has not already made provision for.  Praise Him as though the victory is already yours, He will set up the circumstances for you to overcome. Live in the knowledge that you HAVE the victory.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase."

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfil His word to you. If you believe the promise—believe that you are forgiven and cleansed—God supplies the fact. . . . It is so if you believe it” (Steps to Christ, p 51).

 

The Highest Aim

Ever feel like you need a purpose in life?

"Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of effort to everyone whose heart Christ has touched." (Ed 262.1)

It just doesn't get higher! 

 

 

 

 

His Perfect Strength

Struggles. Ups and downs. No sooner have we experienced a high point, and we are sinking again... Waking up and reading of Jesus love for those who were His bitterest enemies, and then going out to inevitably do the exact opposite.

Life is almost a predictable cycle of these highs and lows. For every climb, sooner or later, the descent comes. Where are the victories?

"The whole earthly life of Jesus was a manifestation of this principle. It was to bring the bread of life to His enemies that the Saviour left His home in heaven. Though calumny and persecution were heaped upon Him from the cradle to the grave, they called forth from Him only the expression of forgiving love." (MB 71) And He is our example. But I fight for my so-called rights... What I wish I didn't do, is exactly what I do.

Then I am encouraged, reminded that we shall often have to fall down and weep at the feet of Jesus. We are not to be discouraged, not cast down. He will pick us up. He hasn't brought me this far to leave me. He didn't pay the ultimate price for nothing. And as long as I feel my GREAT need of Him, there is hope. 

Our God is ever constant, unchangeable. No matter how I feel, I must live according to His promises, for we are to walk by faith, not by feeling. 

"If he will unite with Me, believe in Me, and work for Me, his weakest points of character...will become his strongest points." (Medical Ministry, p 41)

 

And so it is that at our lowest points, when we feel truly weak, we come closest to Him.

"My strength is made perfect in weakness."

 (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

 

Indebted

As I saw the date I had just written, I thought of the disappointed little group 169 years ago... Of course at this time of day they were still waiting with eager anticipation (they loved Him with all their hearts) for the appearing of their precious Lord. But oh, the disappointment when He did not return. Their hopes were dashed. Had He forgotten, had He forsaken them? No! Indeed, He was performing a great work for them at that very moment, presenting His blood for the Day of Atonement then begun, making it possible for them to be one with Him.

And then my thoughts turn to my own life... I'm grateful for the time I've been given on this earth. Had He already come, I would never have been born. Yet some probing questions come to my mind, demanding answers. Am I truly seeking His honour? Or merely my own supposed greatness? Is Jesus truly my all, the One I live for? Is He Heaven to me? Or would I be happy to just go there without Him?

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

 Heb 11:39- 12:4

Sadly, it's the truth. I have not "resisted unto blood". Instead I have loved sin! I am not worthy of the honour of running in this Race, of taking the baton from the faithful who have gone before. Yet why am I here on this earth at this point in time?

As Ministry of Healing puts it: "By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience,—we are in debt to those less favoured; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them. If we are strong, we are to stay up the hands of the weak."

I am indebted to this "great cloud of witnesses" who have run ahead. I am indebted to the world. And most of all, I am indebted to my Saviour and King.

Oh may I prove faithful!

A Life of Influence

We all know that we have an influence. It's a widely acknowledged fact, whether we pay attention to it or not, but how often do we really think about it?

The everyday things we say and do, the expressions on our faces, the tone with which we speak, ALL have an influence on the eternal destiny of countless souls.

It's a ripple effect, either for good or for evil. 

As I read about Abraham's life in the book Education, this thought really stirred me. When I think of Abraham, I see a man of faith, a man of obedience, whose influence has spanned thousands of years. Yet we also have plenty of evidence that Abraham was human, and like us, subject to temptations, failures and fears. So, I question, what is it that set him apart? Is the same possible for us today? I don't claim to have the answers, but I believe this is something God wants us to study, for after all, isn't this His will for us?

So we return to Education (p 187), where we read: "that which gave power to Abraham's teaching was the influence of his own life."   

Herein lies a key.

We are undoubtedly the generation with most information available to a single human being in all of history. We are also, to all appearance, the furthest from God's ideal. It may not seem to make much sense at first, but if you think about it, this has a great role to play in our problem. We aren't gaining a personal experience, because we are not studying for ourselves. We drift along, as if we had no influence, so easily forgetting that every single move we make counts. So, when we know we aren't really using our influence for God, why do we wonder at the results we see...?

There is only one way to make this practical, and we find it in Education p 189: " ...in order to gain this knowledge, we must live by it." (emphasis mine)

"Abraham's influence extended beyond his own household. Wherever he pitched his tent, he set up beside it the altar for sacrifice and worship. When the tent was removed, the altar remained; and many a roving Canaanite, whose knowledge of God had been gained from the life of Abraham His servant, tarried at that altar to offer sacrifice to Jehovah."  (Ed 187) What a witness! An amazing testimony of what a life "hid in God" can accomplish! And there is hope for us!  "No less effective today will be the teaching of God's word when it finds as faithful a reflection in the teacher's life."

"Let the student keep his Bible always with him. As you have opportunity, read a text and meditate on it." Use the 'empty' time you would otherwise waste on things like social networking, waiting, doing nothing, and "improve the opportunity to gain some precious thought from the treasure house of truth." (Ed 191)

The key lies here. Not in merely gathering facts, speaking intelligently on deep theological topics. Anyone can do that if they tried.

It's about a change of heart- God's word becoming a part of us, affecting how we live.

That's the transformation I want.

Beauty from Ashes

Reading the inspired account of God's dealing with Levi in the book Education, I am awed by His unfailing mercy. His amazing work, using those very sins that cause Him so much pain to draw me closer to Himself is incomprehensible to my finite mind.

Levi was one of the cruelest of Jacob's sons.

 Levi's characteristics, reflected in his descendants, incurred for them the decree from God, "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel." Genesis 49:7. But repentance wrought reformation; and by their faithfulness to God amidst the apostasy of the other tribes, the curse was transformed into a token of the highest honour. (Ed 148)

 As we see in Deuteronomy 10:9, "Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance." (emphasis mine) What a privilege! What more could you want? And it holds true today. Even my worst failures, (if I surrender ALL to God), can become my greatest blessings! Out of the sin and degradation, out of the ugly things of life, He brings forth a thing of beauty.

  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:6,7

Uncertainties

It's that time of year again. Most varsity applications are actually closing today. And it's the second year I don't know what I'm doing or where I'll be.

It's funny how society has these expectations... This concept of "the norm", into which every so-called "normal" human being has to fit. And so that question is inevitable, wherever I go. It's pretty much the same every time: what are you going to do with your life? Then I think, what does that have to do with me anyway? Isn't God the author of my life? Why should I be "doing something" with it? 

But it seems as if there's no time to think in this fast-paced world, and should your course in any way deviate from this status quo, the results would be forever detrimental...

Now don't get me wrong- I'm not opposed to studying. Neither do I endorse sitting around and doing nothing. In fact, I believe, as stated in Ministry of Healing page 449, that we must reach for the highest development of our mental powers. However, so many of the quotes I've been reading lately point to something higher than the word "education" as commonly used today. And there are pages and pages of counsel regarding the dangers of a worldly education. Just think of Moses, having to spend 40 years unlearning what he had learned in the schools of Egypt (Patriarchs and Prophets page 248). You see, nothing is neutral. If our education is not bringing us closer to God, there is only one other alternative...

The most important thing is to be willing to go wherever He directs. We simply cannot go anywhere else safely. For example, unless God sends me to a university for the purpose of bringing souls to Him, I have no business going there. Quite a statement, to be sure, but isn't that what we're here for? Yes, we can be students, yes, we can pursue a career, but only as God leads us.

No, I still don't know what I'll be doing, but I do know that God has led me thus far, and I can have certainty that He will continue to guide me. I also know one thing I will never cease to study, and that is God's Word. "As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined." (Ed 124) I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119:99

"Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience, for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has promised." DA 668

Appointments

A picture just flashed into my mind, and its similarity to the corner in my room I usually gravitate to first thing in the morning is striking. Only, this picture is different. The curtains are open, and the bright noonday sun shines in the window. Outside is a flurry of activity. This cheery scene should make the room inviting, but despite all this, it looks so cold, so clinical.

At first it makes no sense, but then I see it. My spot is empty, and He is still standing there, waiting...

Thinking of His face breaks me. The sadness...yet no condemnation. He will keep waiting. All He wants is to spend time with me. Could it be real? I've missed my appointment with Jesus, the Lover of my soul! And I could let it go by, without even bothering me?

With shame I think of how anxious I get at the thought of being late for other appointments- ones with mere mortals. I also picture my frustration, the inner rage when they are late for appointments with me. The contrast couldn't be wider.

Yes, He's waiting, He's calling for me, He LOVES me! And my response is so nonchalant as to leave Him waiting, or put Him on hold for something "more urgent". I chills me to the bone.

Will I ever learn? I'm so grateful that He never, NEVER gives up on me. No matter how many times I fall, He's still waiting to pick me up and start again.

"We shall often  have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (SC 64)

That's my Jesus.

Radical love...

 

Christianity... Sitting in beautiful churches once a week... Reading your Bible at least every day... and being sure to look like a decent person when other people are watching.

Really???

 

So we know this is not what it's about... Why do we keep living this way?

Presenting a watered-down, sugar-coated, comfortable, "nice" side of life, when it's not at all what true Christianity is. A profound thought, and one demanding answers. 

 

Might there be some practical truth we're missing? 

Something needs to change about the way we live.

What does "turning the other cheek" look like in action?

Could loving the ugly be more than just a cliché ?

 

Look to Christ- in His life we see the simple, naked gospel truth. Loving them as they spit in your face! Not our fickle kind of love, which loves those who love us back. This is a love we don't understand. It goes beyond anything we're used to, yet this is what we are called to!

 

Though it has happened to people, it's highly unlikely that we will experience someone literally spitting in our face. The reality of this in our day-to-day lives may seem a little more disguised, but it's still the same, really. And we don't have far to look... No, our suffering is never the same, not near what Jesus endured for us, but our response- that's what must be the same. Like Jesus.

Stirring, relentless, compelling...

Are we willing to count the cost. Of being spat on in the face, time and time again, for the love of a soul?

 

Lord Jesus, give me that kind of love.

 

Patience is More Than Endurance.

A saints life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer God is aiming at something the saint can not see, and he stretches and strains, and every now and again he says - "I cannot stand anymore." God does not heed, he goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. Though He slay me yet will I wait for him. 

A Smile (and whole new perspective)

I saw her, and at first she looked like a child. The tiny school shoes on her feet hardly looked big enough for a kid in grade one, but as my eyes moved up the short little legs and torso, they came to rest on her face. The face of a young woman. And on that beautiful face, despite the pain in her eyes, was a smile. It cut right through me.

She was a dwarf. This was not something she had chosen, something she could do anything about. It wasn’t her fault that she was born this way, yet she didn’t seem resentful. Walking just ahead to her was a “normal” schoolmate, making her disadvantage all the more obvious.

At her age, she could have had so much going for her, but instead she must live like this. It just isn’t fair. And then another thought, one that chilled me to the bone. That could have been me. Why should she suffer, and I live a comfortable life? Not only does she have the disability, it’s obvious that she doesn’t enjoy the same privileges I do, either... The tables could just as well have been turned.

That’s when I ask myself the question, “How would I respond if I were in her situation?” It can’t be nice to have people like me staring at you because you’re different…would I still offer a smile? Would I have peace in my heart, and would I be willing to trust God? Would I even bother to pursue and education, or would I just give up, saying it’s useless?

There I sit in a comfortable car, thinking how miserable my life is because I’m battling to get internet and it’s been too long since I last ate! So petty! And to think, there are people who’ve never heard of internet, who don’t even know when they last ate, or where their next meal is coming from!

Father, help me. Help me to see life from Your perspective. Take my life in self-sacrificing service to Your children.

Thank You for a smile, undeserved…

All or Nothing

Do we really believe we are the generation that will finish the work? How much longer are we planning to keep one foot in the world? Although we never admit it, we seem to try to stick to the bare minimum. We’ll just keep our conscience "happy”, so to speak, rendering half-hearted worship once a week, and carry on with life as usual the rest of the time. We say it’s reality, we have to get somewhere in life… We seldom stop to think about what’s really important. When we have time to spare, what do we turn to? I know my natural inclination is usually to everything but my Bible.  

"Don't be a part-time Christian who demands a full-time God."

 

Rev 3:16 talks about our state: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”   It is this that makes God sick. He can’t stand it.  And, in all honesty, we can’t stand it either. This is not what we were created for. Living a life not fully consecrated to God is a most meaningless existence. When we try, as we often do, to find our own way,  it ends up so empty. In the words of Ravi Zacharias, “The loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced  that which you thought would deliver the ultimate, and it has just let you down.” This has been so true in my life. Every time I get to where I thought I’d have arrived, it’s a disappointment, and the next hurdle is there, ready to dampen my joy.  So life goes on, a quest for this illusive happiness, another 'If only…'.

“All is vanity.” (Eccl 1:2) 

In each and every person there is longing, a void, which nothing in this world can ever satisfy. Only Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. So why  are we holding back?  How can we expect His blessing if we’re not willing to do His bidding? And ultimately, where else will we find true happiness?  “Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost.” (COL 118) The Christian life is all or nothing. Christ gave ALL. He laid down His very life for you and me. The least we can do is give Him our lives. Be willing to go wherever he sends, to do whatever He requires. Will we give ALL?               

Undivided

You gave Your all, I just gave half

You were committed, but I said perhaps

It broke Your heart, You died for me

But I was stubborn, I would not see

I thought it was fine with one foot in world

I could sit on the fence, and one hand You could hold

I realize now: I have to choose

I must leave the world, or salvation loose

A full commitment is what it takes

Nothing half-hearted for all that You gave

And now is the time, the day to decide

I’m coming Lord, I choose Your life

© Kerry le Roux 2011

A blog behind the blog: where it all started

A life-changing journey started for me in May this year when a friend sent me the link for some sermons on www.audioverse.org. After listening to that series, I went on to listen to another series by Sebastien Braxton, entitled “Till I Die: A Study on the Commonality of Tears, Blood, and Sweat”. I had been praying for a ministry, but had no idea what I could do, and was always thinking of challenges as to why I couldn’t do this or that.  As I listened to the messages, suddenly hit me- I could write! So this blog is the result, and it is my prayer that it may be a blessing and encouragement as we seek to reflect the image of Jesus.