Missions Conference is Here!!
I thank God that He has placed me in a church that has such a heart for missions. I may not be the perfect example of the type of christian we all should be when it comes to missions, but I know that I am in a place where I can learn to become more like that christian.
One thing that my Pastor mentioned this year has really stuck in my mind. A little given often is better than nothing or an amount when I know I have "extra" to give. This is not an exact quote of what he said, this is more how it affected my giving already. I have purposed in my heart to give a little often every time we are at church. Because I am some great spiritual person? NO, because I believe in doing what I think God wants me too.
Last night one of the missionaries mentioned II Chronicles 16:9 which reads...
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the
behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: Therefore from
henceforth thou shalt have wars."
His reading was focused on the first part of the verse, but as I often do I finished reading the verse and the second part struck me. "Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." This section of the verse really caused me to think. Foolishly? Wars? I know it is Old Testament and that it is often reffering to the children of Isreal and there often turning from God, but as much of the scripture it can be applied and does apply to us.
Foolish: lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion.
War: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.
This got me to thinking......
God wants to use us to reach others but we so foolishly chose the selfish path. Although we have chosen to do this, our spirit is often prompted to serve God. He continually works on us to conform us to His image. This means we are at war within between our flesh and our spirit. Why is this war there? Well, God saved our eternal soul, not our fleshly body. This fleshly container that our soul is in although designed by God has been corrupted by sin because of man's choice. The desires of the flesh are self serving and often times sinful in nature. When we are born again, our soul/spirit inherit a desire to be more like our Saviour. This desire is contrary to the flesh. Our flesh wants for it's own pleasure. God wants us to please others and serve Him and the plan He has for us. This causes the "war."
How often I have sat and listened to preaching and heard a truth that I needed to apply to my life. How often have I fallen short of that truth because the battle against my flesh.
These times of falling short are not looked down upon by God. In no way does He see us fail and decide to "discipline" us for the failure. Our own actions are often "punishment" enough to bring about corrective action on our part.
I look forward to the last few days of missions conference. I am sorry to see that it will be ending soon. God is working in my life during this conference in ways that have never happened before. Am I going to a mission field? Am I going to become a preacher? Am I staying where I am and assisting others by giving? I dunno, but I know that my God has a plan and I am willing to follow. I may not feel or believe that I am qualified, But then again I am not God. He already knows what I am fully capable of when I place all my faith and trust in Him and not in my knowledge of my current training, schooling, or abilities.
A catch in my breath when the preacher made a comment last night was new to me....... Is this what God really wants?
"Dear Lord, I ask you now to prove to me that this is your will for me and my family. Amen."
Final thoughts...... Can God search to and fro throughout the earth and find you willing? Or will you chose the path of the foolish and face the "war"?
Laterz......
One thing that my Pastor mentioned this year has really stuck in my mind. A little given often is better than nothing or an amount when I know I have "extra" to give. This is not an exact quote of what he said, this is more how it affected my giving already. I have purposed in my heart to give a little often every time we are at church. Because I am some great spiritual person? NO, because I believe in doing what I think God wants me too.
Last night one of the missionaries mentioned II Chronicles 16:9 which reads...
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the
behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: Therefore from
henceforth thou shalt have wars."
His reading was focused on the first part of the verse, but as I often do I finished reading the verse and the second part struck me. "Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." This section of the verse really caused me to think. Foolishly? Wars? I know it is Old Testament and that it is often reffering to the children of Isreal and there often turning from God, but as much of the scripture it can be applied and does apply to us.
Foolish: lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion.
War: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.
This got me to thinking......
God wants to use us to reach others but we so foolishly chose the selfish path. Although we have chosen to do this, our spirit is often prompted to serve God. He continually works on us to conform us to His image. This means we are at war within between our flesh and our spirit. Why is this war there? Well, God saved our eternal soul, not our fleshly body. This fleshly container that our soul is in although designed by God has been corrupted by sin because of man's choice. The desires of the flesh are self serving and often times sinful in nature. When we are born again, our soul/spirit inherit a desire to be more like our Saviour. This desire is contrary to the flesh. Our flesh wants for it's own pleasure. God wants us to please others and serve Him and the plan He has for us. This causes the "war."
How often I have sat and listened to preaching and heard a truth that I needed to apply to my life. How often have I fallen short of that truth because the battle against my flesh.
These times of falling short are not looked down upon by God. In no way does He see us fail and decide to "discipline" us for the failure. Our own actions are often "punishment" enough to bring about corrective action on our part.
I look forward to the last few days of missions conference. I am sorry to see that it will be ending soon. God is working in my life during this conference in ways that have never happened before. Am I going to a mission field? Am I going to become a preacher? Am I staying where I am and assisting others by giving? I dunno, but I know that my God has a plan and I am willing to follow. I may not feel or believe that I am qualified, But then again I am not God. He already knows what I am fully capable of when I place all my faith and trust in Him and not in my knowledge of my current training, schooling, or abilities.
A catch in my breath when the preacher made a comment last night was new to me....... Is this what God really wants?
"Dear Lord, I ask you now to prove to me that this is your will for me and my family. Amen."
Final thoughts...... Can God search to and fro throughout the earth and find you willing? Or will you chose the path of the foolish and face the "war"?
Laterz......
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