The Stirring Up By God
God intervenes in the affairs of men by stirring them up, moving upon their minds, hearts, and wills, to lead them, bring them into conformity with His purposes and ways. In stirring them up, they seek Him, and He reveals to the willing heart that which is His will to be accomplished in His perfect way and timing, for His glory.
The Heavenly Guide
There is no way for a man to love and serve God unless he is willing to be led by Him, submitted to His authority, and not leaning unto his own understanding. God's ways and thoughts are not our thoughts, and so, all the liberty must be given to Him by faith to choose the path one is to walk, for the accomplishing the will of God. In faithful obedience to God, being led by Him, He reveals Himself and power.
The Command To Go Forward
There are times when one is faced with situations that are complex and overwhelming. In some instances, the clear word of the Lord is to go forward. Sometimes the obstacles are enormous, but when the Lord speaks and commands to do so, it is because He desires to show forth His glory. This He will do for the one who will truly trust and obey Him, walking by faith and not by sight.
O Lord Jesus How Long
When one becomes a new creation in Christ, his destiny changes forever, not only with regard to a place, heaven, but with regard to home, that place of uninterrupted , complete fellowship with Christ. For the believer, heaven is not just a place but the blessed context of fulness of worship, and service for the King, where there is fulness of joy, full and perfect peace. The true believer longs for heaven because of Christ who is there.
Climbing Into The Saddle
It is one thing to have a horse, saddle, and even cattle to herd. It is quite another to have the heart of a rancher, or cowboy, who is committed to caring for his herd. Essential to the achieving of the task is the commitment to live in the present moment, not looking back, in order to concentrate effectively on the task at hand. The servant of Christ is called upon to look unto Jesus, not looking back or to the side, trusting the Spirit of God for every need.
Chosen From The Foundation Of The World
With the knowledge of that men were in the heart of God before the foundation of the world, especially those who would believe in Him, and be saved by Him, there comes a certainty to the heart of God's divine purpose and provision. With the knowledge of the fact that God "chose" us in Him comes with it the assurance that He will guide, provide for, and protect His servant, for His purpose and will.
The Preacher, The Preaching, And The Power
The preacher of the Gospel is one who has been called of God, equipped by the gift of preaching, and empowered by the Spirit to preach. His calling is specific, for his objective is clear, to make known the saving work of Christ in such a manner that men will believe in Him and be saved. The true preacher is distinguished by blessing of God upon the messages that he preaches, and by the effect of them upon his hearers. He speaks by the power of the Spirit, that men will trust in the power of God, and not in the wisdom of men.
The Gift Of God Today
The greatest gift of God is Himself, by the Spirit, for the glory of Christ. The Lord's desire and will is to give this gift to all men, but not all men will receive it. To the one who will trust God for His grace to turn from that which is not of Christ, of God, then come to Him honestly and whole-heartedly, Christ will certainly come to dwell in the heart, forgiving sin, and bringing new Life to the saved believer.
The Essential Of Daily Bread
As daily bread, or food, is essential for the body, so is spiritual food, or the Word of God. Why? When Jesus said that He was, and is, the Bread of Life, He declared that in the bread which God gives there is Life, Christ's life. To truly live is to do so by the power of His life. When one reads, studies, and meditates in faith upon the word of God, the Lord speaks. The truth that He communicates is life to the soul, by the Spirit of God.
Living In Captivity
It was G. Matheson who wrote: "Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free; Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conquered be. I sink in life's alarms, when by myself I stand; imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand." Matheson saw, and learned, that to be Christ's captive, living under His authority, that in that place and attitude there was true liberty indeed, liberty to live by the Holy Spirit, knowing Christ's joy, peace, and love.