Moments With God.
Advent Week 4
LOVE
Friday, December 24
"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'" -- John 20:21 (NIV)
I have wondered why I am not out there more, 'making disciples of all nations' as Jesus commissioned all of His disciples. Oswald Chambers, while discussing "Putting God's Will First" said, "The purpose of our Christian training is to get us into the right relationship to the 'needs' of God and His will. Once God's 'needs' in us have been met, He will open the way for us to accomplish His will, meeting His 'needs' elsewhere."
God has commanded and commissioned us to "love" and to "testify" and to "go and make disciples." This is God's will for us. He instructs "me" just how He wants "me" to carry out His will for "me."
Before, I can hear, understand and obey His instructions, however, I must first GET INTO THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him. What is the right relationship? I believe this is the total surrender of Galatians 2:20. I keep thinking I'm 'there', that I have died to self. I find, though, that I keep falling short of the mark. But, I have also found that He loves me so much that He doesn't get angry with me when I trip. He doesn't give me one of those withering looks that say, "you blew it!" He doesn't yell with impatience or send me off to bed without dinner. Rather, He waits patiently for me to pick myself up, dust myself off, look around me then finally ... directly at Him ... to find the Way again.
Then, He smiles and gently puts out His hand to take mine, or puts His loving arm around my shoulders to guide me back to His path. Sometimes He says, "You're doing fine, one step at a time."
When I say, "Lord, help me! Pick me up, carry me through this," sometimes I receive the reply, "No ... I know you can do this, but I'll be there as your friend to support you." It is this Grace that I find truly wonderful, amazing! God expects my personal life to be a "Bethlehem." Wow! What a concept ... my personal life as the birthplace for my Savior, where He can come as a baby, develop and grow, and finally, fully, be exhibited in me. One step at a time. Thank you Lord.
Gord Evans
Pefferlaw, Ontario, Canada
Father,
The time has come. We anticipate, we wait, we long for relief. This is the night we were looking forward to. Birth... Your birth in us. How can it be? May there be a new birth in many more who have not found you in their lives. May this be the night. What a fitting reminder of who You can become in us. We anticipate Your birth in the lives of many this Christmas day.
Amen
[Psalms 2 ][ Zechariah 2:10-13 ][ I John 4:7-16 ][ John 3:26-31]
or suggestions to Yvonne Edwards.
Edited: Dec. 9, 1999 8:25 a.m.
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