Posted on 01/30/2007 3:43:03 AM PST by .30Carbine
God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, "I wonder if that is God’s voice?" Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him "with a strong hand," that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, "Speak, Lord," and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, "Speak, Lord," and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, "Speak, Lord." Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.
Should I tell my "Eli" what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, "I must shield ’Eli,’ " who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your "Eli," but trying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. ". . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . ." (Galatians 1:16).
In 1910 Chambers married Gertrude Hobbs. They had one daughter, Kathleen, who still resides in London (as of 1992).
In 1911 he founded and became principal of the Bible Training College in Clapham, London, where he lectured until the school was closed in 1915 because of World War I. In October 1915 he sailed for Zeitoun, Egypt (near Cairo), where he ministered to Australian and New Zealand troops as a YMCA chaplain. He died there November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix.
My Utmost for His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and in this, the last decade of the century, remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print. It has become a Christian classic. [from the flyleaf of the book]
Absolutely no flaming! These daily threads are intended to be devotional in nature. If a particular day's offering says nothing to you, please just go on and wait for the next day. Consider these threads a DMZ of sorts, a place where a perpetual truce is in effect and a place where all other arguments and disagreements from other times and places are left behind.
I can attest from personal experience that reading from Chambers daily will almost certainly change - not one's faith - but one's perspective of his/her own faith, and open up new vistas in your spiritual life. If - when - this happens to a reader of these threads, and they choose to share what has happened within them - we are treading on hallowed ground. Be respectful.
- Religion Moderator
Nice reflection. Something to practice all the time.
Well, dear Carbine, it's almost time for me to take over the ping list. I'm sure you need a break after being so diligent for over a year. You have done such a wonderful job and I've certainly appreciated it! I'll have to start getting in the groove of posting everyday like you. Thank you so much for posting these daily reflections, every day! (huggs)
Greetings to everyone. May the Lord be with you this day.
Speak, dear Lord, and I will listen.
(((Hugs back!))) I have delighted in prayer for you leading up to this transition; delighted in the provision of God to bring you forward in so timely a manner; and I will continue to enjoy both prayer for you and conversation with you around these Daily Reflections, Lord willing, Jesus tarries.
How silly is that? (:
Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives.
He must, and He will for He has promised, continually reveal All Truth to this child, and this child must ever remain childlike to receive that Truth, to receive He Himself, Who Is The I Am, Forever Blessed, amen.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~3 John 1:4
A perfect prayer. Thank you.
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
~Matthew 18:2-3
Amen, and may we know Him.
And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
~John 17:3 (KJV)And this is eternal life: [it means] to know
(to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God,
and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ
(the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
~Ibid (AMP)
Thank you so much for your testimony, insights - and for your encouragements and link to my testimony!
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