We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us so, what mighty acts you did in their days, in the times of old (Psalm 44:1)
Sacred literature and church history both record the mighty acts of God. We read them with astonishment and we look back upon them as substantial matters of history. They are viewed as "turning points" when God showed up and made a difference in people's lives and circumstances. By faith we believe that the wondrous things God did in the "times of old" by grace He will do again, in our time.
As we look towards the weekend renewal services with evangelist Gary Wright I wish to focus on the topic of "Revival" in this week's blog. We need a mighty rush of God's grace at Willoughby Hills Friends Church. We are ripe for a miraculous outpouring of His precious Holy Spirit.
This week we need to pursue Christ-centeredness in our attendees and strive less for Christ-likeness. Christ-centeredness speaks of heart devotion and consecration of life whereas Christ-likeness references human effort and rigorous discipline. There is nothing wrong with the pursuit of Christ-likeness. The Bible speaks frequently of buffeting ourselves for the cause of Christ and His Kingdom. Pursuing Christ-likeness is a part of our daily maturation and reasonable service of duty.
However, the "mighty acts of God" typically comes from our "centerness in Christ." The times when we rest in Christ, when we cease to strive and call upon His mercy and grace. There are limits to our human effort. As a church body we "labor in love" for one another as instructed by the Apostle Paul and "serve up Christ to our community" as taught by Jesus in Matthew 25. But, as demonstrated by our Lord there is a time for rest. Let that time be now. This very week when we seek the mighty acts of God.
What is the difference between Christ-likeness and Christ-centeredness to you? What does it mean to be Christ-centered in "practical terms" this week? What are the "mighty acts of God" you need to see in your life and church today?
Thanks for stopping by!
------
Adrian
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
March 17, 2009
ReplyDeleteThe Servant’s Primary Goal
Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest
We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him —(2 Corinthians 5:9) We make it our aim. . . ." It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only "to be well pleasing to Him." It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor.
Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being "approved to God" ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep "looking unto Jesus" ( Hebrews 12:2 ). Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest . . . I myself should become disqualified" ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 ).
I must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is it possible we are dis-qualified?
Narrow,
ReplyDeleteI like Chambers... thanks for sharing his thoughts. What do you think Paul means by "dis-qualified?"
Certainly not un-qualified. In context perhaps as a skilled contestant found to be outside the rules of the game. Hypocritical. Not practicing what is preached. Maybe found to be phony.
ReplyDelete