|
Apr
22
Following Jesus Means....
Published in
Untagged by
Pastor Mark
Yesterday we spoke of trusting God even when we don't know the path that lies ahead. The reason that we can and must trust in the Lord is because He has told us to. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. What I need more than anything is to trust God with everydetail and every situation that may arise. I am so quick to try to do it on my own, so apt to take it on myself, when the Lord is calling me to simply trust. God has a way of reminding us just how faithful He is and how great his love is towards us. Many of you know that several years ago my wife Dee gave me a copy of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" it has become part of my daily devotions for the past eighteen years. Each day it seems fresh and alive. This morning's reading spoke about the trust we are to have in Jesus at all times even when we are facing difficult circumstances. I hope it speaks to you as well.
The Light That Never Fails We all, with unveiled face, beholding . . . the glory of the Lord . . . -2 Corinthians 3:18 A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come- people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, ". . . no one stood with me, but all forsook me . . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . ." (2 Timothy 4:16-17 ). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When "important" individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do- to look into the face of God for ourselves. Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware- ". . . Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him" ( Exodus 34:29 ). We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant's life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.
|