2 Kings 18:21
A curious phenomenon has plagued families for as long as there have been families. It's that age-old problem of second-generation fallout that breaks the hearts of godly moms and dads.
The scenario goes something like this. A man and woman fall in love and get married. They also love Christ and desire to serve Him with all their hearts. As their children come along, they teach and train and pray that God will get hold of their little lives and use them for His glory.
But what about the now-grown kids? Ah, there's the rub. Somewhere along the way God got pushed way down on their list of priorities. Disciplines like prayer, church attendance, tithing, serving and serious Bible study got lost in the shuffle.
I recently stumbled upon one of those father-son stories that still speaks volumes. The dad was Hezekiah, a king who took the throne when he was twenty-five and reigned until he was fifty-four. All the while, his heart remained warm toward his God, and God prospered him. What a man! When Hezekiah was forty-two, he and his wife, Hephzibah, had a son, Manasseh. But you'd never know he came from Hezekiah stock. According to the inspired historian's account, he seduced the people of Judah "to do evil more than the nations whom the Lord destroyed" (2 Kings 21:9). What went wrong? Why didn't Hezekiah's righteousness and passion pass to his son? I believe there at least three reasons:
First, Manasseh had will of his own - as we all do - and with that will he stubbornly and deliberately refused to respond to the Lord (2 Chron. 33:10). Second, he was weak-willed and overly influenced by ungodly and wicked associations (2 Kings 21:3, 6). And third, he was neglected by his preoccupied, busy father. The king was at the zenith of his reign when Manasseh was born, and there is every indication that the prince saw little of his father during the formative years of his life. Hezekiah simply never took the time.
Sound familiar at all? While you still have you children under your roof, take time to talk together, to play together, to relax together ... just to be together.
~Charles Swindoll~
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
A Job Experience # 19
Thus, the Comforter, the Intercessor, is at work in Paul's spirit as He implores, urges, and entreats Paul to share all that is in his innermost being with his Lord and Saviour. And, beloved, what follows is an intimate revelation of the Spirit of Prayer, an intimate unveiling of that which takes place between our Lord and His bondservants when they are in "any trouble:" a Spirit to spirit, Heart to heart, Soul to soul sharing between the Lord and His bondslaves. So, let us listen, and let us move into union with the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Prayer, as the reality of eternal intercession flows by the Spirit between the Lord and His servant Paul -
"Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me."
"And He said unto me, "My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength and Power are made perfect - fulfilled and completed and show themselves most effective" -
[And Paul responds,] "Therefore, most gladly will I the rather boast in my weaknesses in order that the power of the Christ [like the Shekinah Glory in the Holy of Holies of the Tent of Meeting] may take p its residence in me [working within me and giving me help]. Wherefore I am well content in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and in circumstances under which I am subject to extreme pressure on behalf of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am filled with ability and power."
Beloved, this is the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God, this is the Spirit of Prayer. And if we want to know what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was )?) what it was that the Lord permitted to "buffet" him (?) - it was anything that made him weak -the "thorn in the flesh" was anything that made Paul weak and wholly dependent upon the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul lists five things that made up this "thorn in the flesh," and they are: "infirmities ... reproaches ... necessities ... persecutions... distresses..."
To Paul, it looked as if these five things would end his ministering service in behalf of his Lord; and most certainly this was satan's intent. But instead, these five things removed that which could hinder the Lord from living His life in and through Paul; for these five things removed Paul's greatest hindrance, - his own self-worth, his own self-righteousness. Remember, five is the number that sums up the Grace of God; and these five things caused Paul to become a reality in his life: "My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness."
And, beloved, what is true of Paul is true of each of those who have chosen to endure until God has His End through His Way. This is comfort, this is reality, this is the Spirit of Prayer - This is "the comfort" which has its source in God alone - This is "the comfort" which has its source in the One Who comforteth us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Now upon this note, let us return to a similar scene in the Book of Job; a scene where we find Job "in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses." And just as Job reaches what seems to be the lowest depths of weakness and despair, we find the same Lord Who ministered to Paul, ministering to Job "the comfort" he truly needed: "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1).
Now, we know that in the preceding chapter Elihu implies that a storm is approaching; however, the word "whirlwind" as it is used here has more meaning that a literal storm. The word "whirlwind" or "tempest" implies being tossed, and violently shaken by adversity; it indicates sore troubles. A phrase in Isaiah 54:11 gives us a clear definition and picture of the word "whirlwind" as it applies to Job: "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest (whirlwind), and not comforted." There was a great storm in Job's life - he was being tossed by adversity, and everything in his life was being violently shaken: "Then the Lord answered Job out of the tempest."
Eliphaz had answered Job, and Job had answered Eliphaz; but there were not lasting results. Bildad had answered Job, and Job had answered Bildad; but there were no lasting results. Zophar had answered Job, and Job had answered Zophar; but there were no lasting results. Elihu had answered Job, and his answer seemed to be the best of all, but there were not lasting results.
Then the Lord answered Job and then Job answered the Lord, and said, "Behold I am vile; what shall I answer Thee?" I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further."
Then the Lord answered Job and then Job answered the Lord, and said:
"I know, I know, that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear now, I pray Thee: I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and I repent in dust and ashes."
Beloved, when "the Lord answered Job," He revealed Himself to Job in such a way that it caused Job to truly know and see and understand Him and His Way. "Then," and only "then," Job answered the Lord, and said: "...I abhor myself, and repent ..." Thus, the Lord's End was being achieved in Job's life; The Lord, the Eternal One, brought forth His eternal results in and through Job's innermost being. Hence, this battle in the battle-of-the-ages was reaching its purposed end - satan, who was seeking to devour God's purpose in Job's life, was soundly defeated because there was an increase of the reality of Christ in the innermost being of this one the Lord called, "My servant Job." Through His Own Way, the Lord had prepared a larger place for Himself in Job.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 20 - "And the Lord Turned the Captivity of Job, When Job Prayed for His Friends")
"Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me."
"And He said unto me, "My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength and Power are made perfect - fulfilled and completed and show themselves most effective" -
[And Paul responds,] "Therefore, most gladly will I the rather boast in my weaknesses in order that the power of the Christ [like the Shekinah Glory in the Holy of Holies of the Tent of Meeting] may take p its residence in me [working within me and giving me help]. Wherefore I am well content in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and in circumstances under which I am subject to extreme pressure on behalf of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am filled with ability and power."
Beloved, this is the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God, this is the Spirit of Prayer. And if we want to know what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was )?) what it was that the Lord permitted to "buffet" him (?) - it was anything that made him weak -the "thorn in the flesh" was anything that made Paul weak and wholly dependent upon the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul lists five things that made up this "thorn in the flesh," and they are: "infirmities ... reproaches ... necessities ... persecutions... distresses..."
To Paul, it looked as if these five things would end his ministering service in behalf of his Lord; and most certainly this was satan's intent. But instead, these five things removed that which could hinder the Lord from living His life in and through Paul; for these five things removed Paul's greatest hindrance, - his own self-worth, his own self-righteousness. Remember, five is the number that sums up the Grace of God; and these five things caused Paul to become a reality in his life: "My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness."
And, beloved, what is true of Paul is true of each of those who have chosen to endure until God has His End through His Way. This is comfort, this is reality, this is the Spirit of Prayer - This is "the comfort" which has its source in God alone - This is "the comfort" which has its source in the One Who comforteth us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Now upon this note, let us return to a similar scene in the Book of Job; a scene where we find Job "in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses." And just as Job reaches what seems to be the lowest depths of weakness and despair, we find the same Lord Who ministered to Paul, ministering to Job "the comfort" he truly needed: "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1).
Now, we know that in the preceding chapter Elihu implies that a storm is approaching; however, the word "whirlwind" as it is used here has more meaning that a literal storm. The word "whirlwind" or "tempest" implies being tossed, and violently shaken by adversity; it indicates sore troubles. A phrase in Isaiah 54:11 gives us a clear definition and picture of the word "whirlwind" as it applies to Job: "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest (whirlwind), and not comforted." There was a great storm in Job's life - he was being tossed by adversity, and everything in his life was being violently shaken: "Then the Lord answered Job out of the tempest."
Eliphaz had answered Job, and Job had answered Eliphaz; but there were not lasting results. Bildad had answered Job, and Job had answered Bildad; but there were no lasting results. Zophar had answered Job, and Job had answered Zophar; but there were no lasting results. Elihu had answered Job, and his answer seemed to be the best of all, but there were not lasting results.
Then the Lord answered Job and then Job answered the Lord, and said, "Behold I am vile; what shall I answer Thee?" I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further."
Then the Lord answered Job and then Job answered the Lord, and said:
"I know, I know, that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear now, I pray Thee: I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and I repent in dust and ashes."
Beloved, when "the Lord answered Job," He revealed Himself to Job in such a way that it caused Job to truly know and see and understand Him and His Way. "Then," and only "then," Job answered the Lord, and said: "...I abhor myself, and repent ..." Thus, the Lord's End was being achieved in Job's life; The Lord, the Eternal One, brought forth His eternal results in and through Job's innermost being. Hence, this battle in the battle-of-the-ages was reaching its purposed end - satan, who was seeking to devour God's purpose in Job's life, was soundly defeated because there was an increase of the reality of Christ in the innermost being of this one the Lord called, "My servant Job." Through His Own Way, the Lord had prepared a larger place for Himself in Job.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 20 - "And the Lord Turned the Captivity of Job, When Job Prayed for His Friends")
Faith Understands: God Framed the Worlds
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11:3)
The human mind requires an answer to the question concerning the origin and nature of all things. The world as we find it must be accounted for in some way. Philosophers and scientists have sought to account for it, the one by speculation, the other by observation, but they have not found the final Truth. Here "Truth" should be spelled indeed with a capital "T", for it is nothing less than the Son of God, the Second Person of the blessed Godhead!
Those who believe the Christian revelation know that the universe is a creation. It is not eternal, since it had a beginning, and it is not the result of a succession of happy coincidences whereby an all but infinite number of matching parts accidentally found each other, fell into place and began to hum!
So to believe would require a degree of credulity few persons possess.
Those who have faith are not thrown back upon speculation for the secret of the universe. Faith is an organ of knowledge, and "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
All things came out of the Word, which in the New Testament means the thought and will of God in active expression and is identified with our Lord Jesus Christ!
~A. W. Tozer~
The human mind requires an answer to the question concerning the origin and nature of all things. The world as we find it must be accounted for in some way. Philosophers and scientists have sought to account for it, the one by speculation, the other by observation, but they have not found the final Truth. Here "Truth" should be spelled indeed with a capital "T", for it is nothing less than the Son of God, the Second Person of the blessed Godhead!
Those who believe the Christian revelation know that the universe is a creation. It is not eternal, since it had a beginning, and it is not the result of a succession of happy coincidences whereby an all but infinite number of matching parts accidentally found each other, fell into place and began to hum!
So to believe would require a degree of credulity few persons possess.
Those who have faith are not thrown back upon speculation for the secret of the universe. Faith is an organ of knowledge, and "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
All things came out of the Word, which in the New Testament means the thought and will of God in active expression and is identified with our Lord Jesus Christ!
~A. W. Tozer~
Friday, November 2, 2012
A Job Experience # 18
In 2 Corinthians 6:1, we find that the Comforter begins this warning by using the word "beseech", which is the same word as "comfort" in chapter one; and like no other word in the Bible, the word "beseech" reveals the Spirit of Prayer, for it captures the very reality and essence of intercession. Through Paul's pen, the Comforter warns and beseeches: "We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain (to no purpose)." He warns, "Do not receive it (the grace of God) to no purpose". Therefore, the Comforter, the Intercessor, warns that it is possible to receive the grace of God, to receive eternal salvation, and still not allow God to fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Then, in verse three, the Comforter, the Intercessor, warns us by telling us just what it means to receive the grace of God in vain - to no purpose: He admonishes us, He warns us, He urges us, He beseeches us, to give "no cause for offense in anything," to put no obstruction in anyone's way, no occasion for stumbling to anyone, in order that our ministering service be not blamed. The Comforter, the Intercessor, beseeches us as God's servants that we represent Him in a way that is worthy of our God, that in everything, in act and in character, we become those in whom the reality of Christ is an actual living experience: - "but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God."
"In everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; ... In everything commending ourselves as servants of God by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we lie; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. In everything commending ourselves as servants of God ... giving no occasion of stumbling to anyone ... For ... we are an inner sanctuary of the living God, even as God said, "I will walk in them in fellowship with them as in a home and I will live My Life in and through them."
Beloved, this is "comfort," this is the reality of Christ, this is "the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - This is the Spirit of Prayer.
Oh, how encouraging and comforting it is to realize that when we are in the midst of any trouble, the Comforter, the Intercessor, the Holy Spirit Himself, is interceding for us: He is imploring and calling and entreating us into union with Him in purpose and in prayer; He is encouraging and urging us to press on as He rouses our spirit into action, and into union with Him, in purpose and in prayer. And right in the midst of our trouble, the Comforter, the Intercessor, is also conveying to our spirit a gentle-admonitory warning of anything that might hinder us or cause us to miss the right way of the Lord, a gentle admonitory warning of anything that could hinder His free flow in and through our innermost being. This, beloved, is the Spirit of Prayer that never ceases until God has His End through His Way! And what is even more comforting and encouraging, this Spirit of Prayer, this intercession of the Comforter Himself, is not only to "comfort" us but, according to God's Holy Word, this Spirit of Prayer, this intercession of the Comforter Himself, is to flow through our spirit unto those in any trouble.
No wonder Paul, who has been in the midst of deep tribulation and distress, breaks into adoring love, and worshiping praise, as he writes the Corinthians of the "comfort" wherewith he himself was comforted of God:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).
And as we prayerfully read through the Book of 2 Corinthians, we find that Paul and those who shared in this experience are coming into a fuller understanding of God's Way of reaching His End, as they see the results of the purging work of the Lord in their innermost being: "But we ourselves had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God Who raises the dead ... so death works in us, but life in you ... for momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 1:9; 4:12, 17).
Then, in 2 Corinthians 12, we find Paul in the midst of what we believe was his "Job experience." We find him pleading with the Lord to remove "a thorn in the flesh." Paul says: "... because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations ... there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan to buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself!" - to keep me from being prideful, to keep me from being found in my own self-achieved righteousness, to keep me from laying hold of the Holy Things of God with the religious nature of my old man. And Paul goes on to say, "Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me" (2 Corinthians 12:7, 8).
When Paul implores, entreats, and beseeches the Lord to remove "the thorn," he uses the word "besought" which, again, is the same word as "comfort" in chapter one; and the use of this word "comfort" by Paul indicates that the Comforter, the Intercessor, is moving in the Spirit of prayer. However, this time, the Comforter is urging Paul to share with his Lord that which is taking place in the depths of his innermost being - it is the Comforter's intercession which entreats and urges the bondservants to pour out unto the Lord all the tumult, all the turmoil, all the despair, all the distress, all the fears, all the need, all that is in the depths of their being. Remember, the enemy of God would stop this pouring out because he is against any sharing between the Lord and His servants.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 19)
Then, in verse three, the Comforter, the Intercessor, warns us by telling us just what it means to receive the grace of God in vain - to no purpose: He admonishes us, He warns us, He urges us, He beseeches us, to give "no cause for offense in anything," to put no obstruction in anyone's way, no occasion for stumbling to anyone, in order that our ministering service be not blamed. The Comforter, the Intercessor, beseeches us as God's servants that we represent Him in a way that is worthy of our God, that in everything, in act and in character, we become those in whom the reality of Christ is an actual living experience: - "but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God."
"In everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; ... In everything commending ourselves as servants of God by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we lie; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. In everything commending ourselves as servants of God ... giving no occasion of stumbling to anyone ... For ... we are an inner sanctuary of the living God, even as God said, "I will walk in them in fellowship with them as in a home and I will live My Life in and through them."
Beloved, this is "comfort," this is the reality of Christ, this is "the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - This is the Spirit of Prayer.
Oh, how encouraging and comforting it is to realize that when we are in the midst of any trouble, the Comforter, the Intercessor, the Holy Spirit Himself, is interceding for us: He is imploring and calling and entreating us into union with Him in purpose and in prayer; He is encouraging and urging us to press on as He rouses our spirit into action, and into union with Him, in purpose and in prayer. And right in the midst of our trouble, the Comforter, the Intercessor, is also conveying to our spirit a gentle-admonitory warning of anything that might hinder us or cause us to miss the right way of the Lord, a gentle admonitory warning of anything that could hinder His free flow in and through our innermost being. This, beloved, is the Spirit of Prayer that never ceases until God has His End through His Way! And what is even more comforting and encouraging, this Spirit of Prayer, this intercession of the Comforter Himself, is not only to "comfort" us but, according to God's Holy Word, this Spirit of Prayer, this intercession of the Comforter Himself, is to flow through our spirit unto those in any trouble.
No wonder Paul, who has been in the midst of deep tribulation and distress, breaks into adoring love, and worshiping praise, as he writes the Corinthians of the "comfort" wherewith he himself was comforted of God:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).
And as we prayerfully read through the Book of 2 Corinthians, we find that Paul and those who shared in this experience are coming into a fuller understanding of God's Way of reaching His End, as they see the results of the purging work of the Lord in their innermost being: "But we ourselves had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God Who raises the dead ... so death works in us, but life in you ... for momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 1:9; 4:12, 17).
Then, in 2 Corinthians 12, we find Paul in the midst of what we believe was his "Job experience." We find him pleading with the Lord to remove "a thorn in the flesh." Paul says: "... because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations ... there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan to buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself!" - to keep me from being prideful, to keep me from being found in my own self-achieved righteousness, to keep me from laying hold of the Holy Things of God with the religious nature of my old man. And Paul goes on to say, "Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me" (2 Corinthians 12:7, 8).
When Paul implores, entreats, and beseeches the Lord to remove "the thorn," he uses the word "besought" which, again, is the same word as "comfort" in chapter one; and the use of this word "comfort" by Paul indicates that the Comforter, the Intercessor, is moving in the Spirit of prayer. However, this time, the Comforter is urging Paul to share with his Lord that which is taking place in the depths of his innermost being - it is the Comforter's intercession which entreats and urges the bondservants to pour out unto the Lord all the tumult, all the turmoil, all the despair, all the distress, all the fears, all the need, all that is in the depths of their being. Remember, the enemy of God would stop this pouring out because he is against any sharing between the Lord and His servants.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 19)
Do You Worship the Work?
"We are God's fellow workers ..." (1 Corinthians 3:9)
Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child, that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God's blessing cannot rest on him.
But the opposite case is equally true - once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing - to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. "Whatever you hand finds to do, do it with your might ..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
~Oswald Chambers~
Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child, that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God's blessing cannot rest on him.
But the opposite case is equally true - once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing - to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. "Whatever you hand finds to do, do it with your might ..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
~Oswald Chambers~
Thursday, November 1, 2012
A Job Experience # 17
The Spirit of Prayer
In 2 Corinthians, and in many other parts of the Written Word, the word "comfort" (parakaleo) is used as a prayer word. The word "comfort" is used synonymously as a prayer word because it reveals the Spirit of Prayer - it reveals the life, the depths, the vital force, the heart, the courage, the very essence of the Spirit of Intercession - it reveals the reality, the livingness, of prayer that is true intercession of the Holy Spirit that flows unto, and into, and through the inner most being of those who have chosen to endure until God has His End through His Way. It is intercession by the Comforter (The Parakletos), the Intercessor, that implores, that comforts, that consoles, that encourages, that incites, that entreats, that beseeches, that desires, that exhorts, that admonishes, that instructs: it is "the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
" ... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God ..."
When we are in any trouble, The Comforter, The Intercessor, The Strengthener, calls our spirit aside: He summons, He entreats, He implores, our spirit to move out of the bondage of our situation and into union with Him. This is The Comforter, The Intercessor, at work in our innermost being - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Now, this does not mean that our troubles will cease, but it does mean that when our spirit responds to the Comforter and moves into union with Him, we cannot be held in bondage by our situation; and we will be able to function in the things of the Lord. And as our spirit moves into union with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter instructs us so that we will not be ignorant, will not be unaware, of the fact that, in the midst of our trouble, God is dealing with us in order to bring forth a greater reality of Christ in our lives. And we, like Paul, will be able to say in reality: "For we would not brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia (put in your location here) that we were pressed out of measure above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead." Beloved, this is "comfort", this is reality! This is the Spirit of Prayer!
"... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God ..."
When we are discouraged and dismayed and perplexed, when without are fightings, and within are fears, the Comforter, the Intercessor, the Counselor, exhorts and consoles us in our spirit, He encourages us in our spirit. He incites us and urges us to press on, He rouses and spurs our spirit into action. And if we respond by moving our spirit into union with Him, into union with "The Comforter," we will find this taking place in our spirit and soul:
"We are hedged in on every side - troubled and oppressed in every way; but not cramped or crushed" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that "we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out," but our Spirit exhorted by, and in union with, the Holy Spirit will declare "but not driven to despair" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that we are persecuted and hard driven, pursued, but our spirit strengthened by, and in union with, the Holy Spirit, firmly states "but not deserted - to stand alone" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that "we are struck down to the ground," but our spirit roused by, and in union with the Holy Spirit triumphantly shouts "but never struck out and destroyed" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Beloved, this is "comfort!" This is reality! This is the Comforter at work in our innermost being!
"... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God..."
When we are in any trouble, in any tribulation, in any pressure, compression, affliction, distress, in any pressures from evils, the Comforter, the Intercessor, will call and summon our spirit aside and He will beseech us to move our spirit into union with His Spirit; He will instruct us by giving us an encouraging but admonitory exhortation. The Comforter will admonish us by conveying to our spirit a gentle warning of a fault, of a sin, of anything in our lives, which could cause us to miss the right way of the Lord. The Comforter will admonish us by conveying to our spirit a warning of any hindrance within or without, of any danger within or without, that could hinder or stop His free flow in and through our innermost being. And beloved, this kind of comfort, this kind of admonitory warning which comes from the Comforter, will never condemn us or cause us to justify ourselves or cause us to blame someone else for our trouble: it will only cause us to desire a greater reality of Christ in our lives.
In 2 Corinthians, behind every word of comfort and encouragement, there is a sense of exhortation, admonishment, and warning! The reason for this is that the main theme of 2 Corinthians is the preparation of the inner life by the Holy Spirit, in order that the Lord may have all the room He needs to live, and move, and have His Being, in and through the innermost being of His people. "For, as for us, we are an inner sanctuary of the living God, even as God said, I will dwell in them in fellowship with them as in a home and I will live My life in and through them. And I will be their God and they themselves will be My people" (2 Corinthians 6:16).
This is one of God's greatest promises to His people, and it is especially significant for those who have chosen to endure until the Lord gets His intended results in their lives. The reason for this is that this passage of Scripture sums up a portion of this letter to the Corinthians that conveys, from beginning to end, an admonitory warning by the Comforter to the Christians of all ages (2 Corinthians 6:1-7). If we read this passage of Scripture, we will find that this warning is given so that we will not miss what God desires for Himself and for us.
~Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 18)
In 2 Corinthians, and in many other parts of the Written Word, the word "comfort" (parakaleo) is used as a prayer word. The word "comfort" is used synonymously as a prayer word because it reveals the Spirit of Prayer - it reveals the life, the depths, the vital force, the heart, the courage, the very essence of the Spirit of Intercession - it reveals the reality, the livingness, of prayer that is true intercession of the Holy Spirit that flows unto, and into, and through the inner most being of those who have chosen to endure until God has His End through His Way. It is intercession by the Comforter (The Parakletos), the Intercessor, that implores, that comforts, that consoles, that encourages, that incites, that entreats, that beseeches, that desires, that exhorts, that admonishes, that instructs: it is "the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
" ... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God ..."
When we are in any trouble, The Comforter, The Intercessor, The Strengthener, calls our spirit aside: He summons, He entreats, He implores, our spirit to move out of the bondage of our situation and into union with Him. This is The Comforter, The Intercessor, at work in our innermost being - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Now, this does not mean that our troubles will cease, but it does mean that when our spirit responds to the Comforter and moves into union with Him, we cannot be held in bondage by our situation; and we will be able to function in the things of the Lord. And as our spirit moves into union with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter instructs us so that we will not be ignorant, will not be unaware, of the fact that, in the midst of our trouble, God is dealing with us in order to bring forth a greater reality of Christ in our lives. And we, like Paul, will be able to say in reality: "For we would not brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia (put in your location here) that we were pressed out of measure above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead." Beloved, this is "comfort", this is reality! This is the Spirit of Prayer!
"... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God ..."
When we are discouraged and dismayed and perplexed, when without are fightings, and within are fears, the Comforter, the Intercessor, the Counselor, exhorts and consoles us in our spirit, He encourages us in our spirit. He incites us and urges us to press on, He rouses and spurs our spirit into action. And if we respond by moving our spirit into union with Him, into union with "The Comforter," we will find this taking place in our spirit and soul:
"We are hedged in on every side - troubled and oppressed in every way; but not cramped or crushed" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that "we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out," but our Spirit exhorted by, and in union with, the Holy Spirit will declare "but not driven to despair" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that we are persecuted and hard driven, pursued, but our spirit strengthened by, and in union with, the Holy Spirit, firmly states "but not deserted - to stand alone" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
It may be that "we are struck down to the ground," but our spirit roused by, and in union with the Holy Spirit triumphantly shouts "but never struck out and destroyed" - this is the Spirit of Prayer.
Beloved, this is "comfort!" This is reality! This is the Comforter at work in our innermost being!
"... The Comfort Wherewith We Ourselves Are Comforted of God..."
When we are in any trouble, in any tribulation, in any pressure, compression, affliction, distress, in any pressures from evils, the Comforter, the Intercessor, will call and summon our spirit aside and He will beseech us to move our spirit into union with His Spirit; He will instruct us by giving us an encouraging but admonitory exhortation. The Comforter will admonish us by conveying to our spirit a gentle warning of a fault, of a sin, of anything in our lives, which could cause us to miss the right way of the Lord. The Comforter will admonish us by conveying to our spirit a warning of any hindrance within or without, of any danger within or without, that could hinder or stop His free flow in and through our innermost being. And beloved, this kind of comfort, this kind of admonitory warning which comes from the Comforter, will never condemn us or cause us to justify ourselves or cause us to blame someone else for our trouble: it will only cause us to desire a greater reality of Christ in our lives.
In 2 Corinthians, behind every word of comfort and encouragement, there is a sense of exhortation, admonishment, and warning! The reason for this is that the main theme of 2 Corinthians is the preparation of the inner life by the Holy Spirit, in order that the Lord may have all the room He needs to live, and move, and have His Being, in and through the innermost being of His people. "For, as for us, we are an inner sanctuary of the living God, even as God said, I will dwell in them in fellowship with them as in a home and I will live My life in and through them. And I will be their God and they themselves will be My people" (2 Corinthians 6:16).
This is one of God's greatest promises to His people, and it is especially significant for those who have chosen to endure until the Lord gets His intended results in their lives. The reason for this is that this passage of Scripture sums up a portion of this letter to the Corinthians that conveys, from beginning to end, an admonitory warning by the Comforter to the Christians of all ages (2 Corinthians 6:1-7). If we read this passage of Scripture, we will find that this warning is given so that we will not miss what God desires for Himself and for us.
~Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 18)
Let Him Become a Fool, That He May Be Wise
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18)
One day, Harry Ironside, the great preacher of yesteryear, was traveling with friends on a ferry. They were having a glorious time singing praises to the Lord when someone critically interrupted them saying, "Who are you people? What are you doing?"
Dr. Ironside replied, "We're just some Christians having a good time praising the Lord." And the heckler replied, "You're a bunch of fools!" Ironside said, "You're right! We're fools for Christ's sake."
The way of the Christian is sometimes foolishness in the eyes of the world.
When was the last time you made a fool of yourself for Christ's sake? Ask God to help you die to yourself so that your ego doesn't get in the way of His work.
~Adrian Rogers~
__________________________________________
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
We are changed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. That doesn't mean it happens overnight. It happens one step at a time.
Today you ought to have a little more glory than yesterday. Today you ought to be a little bit more like Jesus than you were yesterday. And tomorrow, you ought to be even more like Jesus.
Are you becoming like Jesus? Not if you're not in the Word. Don't you think it's time for this generation to get serious about the Word of God?
Set aside a time and a place to get alone with Him today and pray Psalm 119:18.
~Adrian Rogers~
One day, Harry Ironside, the great preacher of yesteryear, was traveling with friends on a ferry. They were having a glorious time singing praises to the Lord when someone critically interrupted them saying, "Who are you people? What are you doing?"
Dr. Ironside replied, "We're just some Christians having a good time praising the Lord." And the heckler replied, "You're a bunch of fools!" Ironside said, "You're right! We're fools for Christ's sake."
The way of the Christian is sometimes foolishness in the eyes of the world.
When was the last time you made a fool of yourself for Christ's sake? Ask God to help you die to yourself so that your ego doesn't get in the way of His work.
~Adrian Rogers~
__________________________________________
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
We are changed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. That doesn't mean it happens overnight. It happens one step at a time.
Today you ought to have a little more glory than yesterday. Today you ought to be a little bit more like Jesus than you were yesterday. And tomorrow, you ought to be even more like Jesus.
Are you becoming like Jesus? Not if you're not in the Word. Don't you think it's time for this generation to get serious about the Word of God?
Set aside a time and a place to get alone with Him today and pray Psalm 119:18.
~Adrian Rogers~
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