Choosing Between The Ways Of Man Or The Ways Of God
"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him… " (1 Kings 18:21b)
When we begin to tolerate in ourselves the world's godless values based as they are on lust and pride, we inevitably begin sliding toward:
A chronically restless desire for more of whatever we think will bring satisfaction to our unsettled and nervous lives.
An insistence on moral autonomy that resists any pressure toward restraint or accountability.
An appetite for power and recognition that seeks to control or manipulate others.
Christ, however, calls us to a radically changed set of values.
Such as:
Contentment, which is giving our work our best effort and then resting the results in God's sovereign hands. The alternative is a nervous, complaining spirit, which is displeasing to Him. (1 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:6)
Purity, which is choosing to live a life unsullied by the world's filth and corruption. Paul instructed young Timothy, "Do not participate in the sins of others, keep yourself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22)
Simplicity, which is " freedom,… [bringing] joy and balance. [But] because we lack a divine Center, our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things… "
Frugality, which is the product of a disciplined mind and inner self-control. By practicing thrift, we prudently choose to put boundaries on our appetites and inclination toward self-indulgence. Character is being forged. "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Do without."
Modesty, which is demonstrated in the fact that the incarnate God chose to be born in a cattle shed, and grow into manhood in the out-of-the-way village of Nazareth. No evidence here of ostentatious abuse of power or position. Rather, moderation and humility.
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him… " (1 Kings 18:21b)
When we begin to tolerate in ourselves the world's godless values based as they are on lust and pride, we inevitably begin sliding toward:
A chronically restless desire for more of whatever we think will bring satisfaction to our unsettled and nervous lives.
An insistence on moral autonomy that resists any pressure toward restraint or accountability.
An appetite for power and recognition that seeks to control or manipulate others.
Christ, however, calls us to a radically changed set of values.
Such as:
Contentment, which is giving our work our best effort and then resting the results in God's sovereign hands. The alternative is a nervous, complaining spirit, which is displeasing to Him. (1 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:6)
Purity, which is choosing to live a life unsullied by the world's filth and corruption. Paul instructed young Timothy, "Do not participate in the sins of others, keep yourself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22)
Simplicity, which is " freedom,… [bringing] joy and balance. [But] because we lack a divine Center, our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things… "
Frugality, which is the product of a disciplined mind and inner self-control. By practicing thrift, we prudently choose to put boundaries on our appetites and inclination toward self-indulgence. Character is being forged. "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Do without."
Modesty, which is demonstrated in the fact that the incarnate God chose to be born in a cattle shed, and grow into manhood in the out-of-the-way village of Nazareth. No evidence here of ostentatious abuse of power or position. Rather, moderation and humility.
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
EMP0WERMENT
- What Does It Really Mean To Take Up The Cross And Follow Christ?
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23, 24)
WHAT IT MEANS IN PRACTICAL TERMS TO LOSE ONE'S LIFE: - Being willing to suffer the pain and humiliation of the cross. (Hebrews 11:26; 12:1, 2; 13:13)
- Being willing to forgive and embrace those who sin against you and see what they meant for harm as sent from God for good. (Genesis 50:20; Acts 7:60; Philippians 1:15-18)
- Being willing to be separated from those you love. (Matthew 10:37, 38; Luke 14:26)
- Being willing to be dependent on others. (Acts 20:4, 5; 2 Timothy 1:16; 4:9-13, 21)
- Being willing to face the loneliness that sometimes comes with dedication to Christian service. (Philippians 2:19-21; 2 Timothy 1:15; 4:10, 16)
- Being willing to keep walking faithfully, one step at a time, through the desert of the soul, when it seems God has abandoned you. (Job 23:8-17; Psalm 42; 84:5-7)
- Being willing to accomplish what God calls you to do. (Isaiah 6:8; 50:7; Acts 20:24; 26:19; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 4:7)
- Being willing to surrender all to God and not strike back at those who oppose you. (Luke 6:27-36; 1 Peter 2:20-23)
- WHAT IT MEANS IN PRACTICAL TERMS TO SAVE ONE'S LIFE: "It is getting up in the morning, going to work, coming home, going through the drill, playing some golf on the weekends, going to church, and taking a vacation now and then." In other words, "IT IS LIVING LIFE AND KEEPING ONE'S DISCRETIONARY TIME FOR ONE'S SELF."
ARE YOU IN FACT TAKING UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOWING JESUS? If you are, then "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8)
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
