Word for Today, Mon, 12 Ju1 2004: The Spiritually Self-Seeking Church
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
This message has some really important notes in it. As always,
when Oswald Chambers writes, he makes his points clearly,
concisely, and directly. One point that particularly leaped off
the page and into my heart was this one: "My goal is God Himself,
not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God." I
had to ask myself, "Is that really my goal?" I can answer yes,
but I also know deep in my heart that I'm not there. No, too
often I'm more interested in either being happy or being at
peace, which is why Oswald was careful to make that statement in
the first place.
There is a popular song entitled, "IN THE SECRET". The message
of that song is consistent with the message below.
"In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour
I wait, Cause I want to know you more,
Cause I want to know you more"
"I want to know you, I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you, I want to see your face
I want to know you more"
"I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
Cause I want to know you more
Cause I want to know you more"
"I want to know you, I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more
I want to know you more
I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more"
=======================
Do you get the idea? God wants a personal relationship with you,
with me.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
____________________________________________________________
July 12
The Spiritually Self-Seeking Church
... till we all come ... to the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ ... -Ephesians 4:13
Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between
the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God
designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption.
The church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking,
only interested in the development of its own organization. The
reconciliation of the human race according to His plan means
realizing Him not only in our lives individually, but also in our
lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for
this very purpose -- that the corporate Person of Christ and His
church, made up of many members, might be brought into being and
made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our
own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have
the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building
His body.
Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about
my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal
relationship with Jesus Christ -- "... that I may know Him..." (
Philippians 3:10 ). To fulfill God's perfect design for me
requires my total surrender -- complete abandonment of myself to
Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is
distorted. And I will suffer great humiliation once I come to
acknowledge and understand that I have not really been concerned
about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only concerned with
knowing what He has done for me.
My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but
Himself, my God.
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less?
2003 RBC Ministries-Grand Rapids MI, 49555-0001
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/utmost-devo/print.php?month=07&day=12
=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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