The devotional that caught my attention this morning was from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest. http://utmost.org/have-you-come-to-when-yet/
The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends —Job 42:10
Here's the text:
A pitiful, sickly, and self-centered kind of prayer and a determined effort and selfish desire to be right with God are never found in the New Testament. The fact that I am trying to be right with God is actually a sign that I am rebelling against the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I pray, “Lord, I will purify my heart if You will answer my prayer— I will walk rightly before You if You will help me.” But I cannot make myself right with God; I cannot make my life perfect. I can only be right with God if I accept the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift. Am I humble enough to accept it? I have to surrender all my rights and demands, and cease from every self-effort. I must leave myself completely alone in His hands, and then I can begin to pour my life out in the priestly work of intercession. There is a great deal of prayer that comes from actual disbelief in the atonement. Jesus is not just beginning to save us— He has already saved us completely. It is an accomplished fact, and it is an insult to Him for us to ask Him to do what He has already done.
If you are not now receiving the “hundredfold” which Jesus promised (see Matthew 19:29), and not getting insight into God’s Word, then start praying for your friends— enter into the ministry of the inner life. “The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends.” As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now, and pray for those with whom you come in contact now.
I do pray. I pray for children who are at the bus stop. I pray for people as they walk down the road I am driving down. I pray. But I worry, I worry how I am offending my sister or my friend and I think that is another reason my heart and mind are in turmoil. I just came across this devotional and I want to remember this one as well.
http://www.wisdomhunters.com/2013/06/unholy-accolades-2/?preview=true
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 20, 2013
“Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.” Luke 6:26
Authentic teachers and preachers of the Bible will have some who disagree with, even dismiss their proclamations of truth. If a spokesperson for the Lord is not criticized by some, there is a need to worry that they are watering down God’s word. Churches are not created to make everyone feel good, but to lead them to faith in Christ and holy living.
Furthermore, it is important how the messenger delivers the message, not with a holier than thou disposition, but in a spirit of compassion and humble boldness. Followers of Jesus are not out to intentionally offend and attack those who embrace untruth or a worldly way of living. Instead, we are to speak the truth in love and trust God with how people will respond. Do not be shy about your convictions, but do so with godly grace.
Has a vocal minority unfairly criticized your stand on marriage? Do some of your family members think you are strange because of the way you raise your children in Christ? Have some labeled you at work as a narrow minded Christian? If so, do not be ashamed that some do not speak well of you, sometimes we are best known by our enemies.
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).
Enemies of the cross are enemies of those who daily bear their cross for Christ’s sake. But we engage the enemy in prayer and through spiritual warfare. The war is not won in the headline of a newspaper or in a debate on national television—the war is won as followers of Jesus flood heaven with faithful petitions and engage people with loving truth. The goal is not to win an agreement, but to live a life worthy of the gospel.
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).
Have you compromised the Lord’s standards because of pressure from someone you want to please? If so, dismiss the praise and applause of people and seek accolades from Almighty God. It is easy to stand on principle when everyone is happy, but the true test of your convictions in Christ come when people are not happy with your righteous acts.
Do not go looking for trouble—but when it arrives—look it firmly in the face by faith and speak the truth. Some will sneer, some will seethe in anger, some will slander, but Jesus will smile. Followers of Jesus who are different make the most difference. An attractive life full of Christ’s character is counter-cultural, but points people to Him.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
Prayer: Am I timid to tell the truth? How can I turn my shyness about Jesus into a bold display?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 6:34-35; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 7:15; 1 Peter 4:2-4
Furthermore, it is important how the messenger delivers the message, not with a holier than thou disposition, but in a spirit of compassion and humble boldness. Followers of Jesus are not out to intentionally offend and attack those who embrace untruth or a worldly way of living. Instead, we are to speak the truth in love and trust God with how people will respond. Do not be shy about your convictions, but do so with godly grace.
Has a vocal minority unfairly criticized your stand on marriage? Do some of your family members think you are strange because of the way you raise your children in Christ? Have some labeled you at work as a narrow minded Christian? If so, do not be ashamed that some do not speak well of you, sometimes we are best known by our enemies.
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).
Enemies of the cross are enemies of those who daily bear their cross for Christ’s sake. But we engage the enemy in prayer and through spiritual warfare. The war is not won in the headline of a newspaper or in a debate on national television—the war is won as followers of Jesus flood heaven with faithful petitions and engage people with loving truth. The goal is not to win an agreement, but to live a life worthy of the gospel.
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).
Have you compromised the Lord’s standards because of pressure from someone you want to please? If so, dismiss the praise and applause of people and seek accolades from Almighty God. It is easy to stand on principle when everyone is happy, but the true test of your convictions in Christ come when people are not happy with your righteous acts.
Do not go looking for trouble—but when it arrives—look it firmly in the face by faith and speak the truth. Some will sneer, some will seethe in anger, some will slander, but Jesus will smile. Followers of Jesus who are different make the most difference. An attractive life full of Christ’s character is counter-cultural, but points people to Him.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
Prayer: Am I timid to tell the truth? How can I turn my shyness about Jesus into a bold display?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 6:34-35; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 7:15; 1 Peter 4:2-4
I so needed this last devotional. I've been struggling with how to handle a conversation with Jeff. I adore this man but I can't say that I side with him on his homosexuality. Which is the opposite of what I've told him in the past. I know his feelings are hurt but I still love HIM. I still want to talk with him and walk with him but I know that homosexuality is one of those sins we aren't supposed to indulge in and I don't agree with redefining the definition of marriage - all things he feels strongly about. But I don't want to divide from him. I want to still be his friend. Is that possible? It is with me but I'm not sure what he will think. Which is probably why we don't actually see each other. We talk on the phone and via Facebook but we don't go out anymore. He probably doesn't want to have the conversation anymore than I do.
This devotional outlines my sin. My worry that people won't approve of how I believe. Well, I shouldn't be worried about what anyone thinks. I should be worried what God thinks! I have to stand with what my God outlines in His Word.
Plus, I must take my stand with gentleness. After all, the sin isn't what is important. Knowing Jesus is what is important. If people would just quit focusing on their physical wants and start focusing on what their soul needs - life would be better for us all!
Finally, I came across this article (so much to think about):
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/separation-church-and-hate
Taken from the article above: "But when we speak in the public square, we need to leave our loudspeakers behind—remembering that Jesus did not come and die for moral ideals or ethical mandates. He came and died to free the ones He loves—and the wise will act accordingly."
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