Being an Example of His Message

March 10th, 2014 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

Preach the word! —2 Timothy 4:2


(Oswald Chambers-1901 est.) We are not saved only to be instruments for God, but to be His sons and daughters. He does not turn us into spiritual agents but into spiritual messengers, and the message must be a part of us. The Son of God was His own message— “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). As His disciples, our lives must be a holy example of the reality of our message. Even the natural heart of the unsaved will serve if called upon to do so, but it takes a heart broken by conviction of sin, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and crushed into submission to God’s purpose to make a person’s life a holy example of God’s message.There is a difference between giving a testimony and preaching. A preacher is someone who has received the call of God and is determined to use all his energy to proclaim God’s truth. God takes us beyond our own aspirations and ideas for our lives, and molds and shapes us for His purpose, just as He worked in the disciples’ lives after Pentecost. The purpose of Pentecost was not to teach the disciples something, but to make them the incarnation of what they preached so that they would literally become God’s message in the flesh. “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8).Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak. Before God’s message can liberate other people, His liberation must first be real in you. Gather your material carefully, and then allow God to “set your words on fire” for His glory.______________________________________________________________March 10, 2014Journal for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord; one more day, one more opportunity to allow You to live through me.  God, I pray that you will make me a man after your own heart.  But I must confess, I am not anxious to be molded by the trials and flames that seem to be closest at hand in Your toolbox for accomplishing that goal. Just because I know trials can have a perfect result, does not mean I am eager to live them out to their desired result. And while I understand that You will only allow circumstances that are “good for me” to touch me; and I also know that You will bring me through them, better than I was, I still resist. Please help me understand, know and accept that You are working in me so that I can become a man after Your own heart.

And God says…” Some of My very best work in you relative to reaching others has occurred when you are unaware. Many times you have faced difficulties and many times you have trusted Me to bring you through them. This has not gone unobserved. And know that when you feel pain, and heartache, I feel it as well. It is why I sent Jesus. You cannot face any trial or circumstance He has not faced.  And the world is filled with trials and difficult circumstances.  Trust in Me, and do not rely on yourself, and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything you need, including the trials, circumstances and opportunities to reach others will be provided.  You may not even know you are reaching others, you may not be aware that that I am using a difficult time to teach you and reach someone. Trust Me and know that if I would not spare my own Son, I will likewise not deny you any good thing.”

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