Wednesday November 12, 2008 WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE?
The Lord gave me a message, He said, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world. " "O Sovereign Lord," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!" "Don't say that," the Lord replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them." Jeremiah 1:4-10 How many of us are like Jeremiah? Deep in our heart we know God has given us a message, a purpose, and a work to do, but we argue with Him that we are too young, too old, or too unskilled? Well, hello! God doesn't want to use your strengths - He wants to be your strength! "Jeremiah lived one of the most dramatic lives in the Bible, and that is saying something. But he never learned to like his role. Through all the excitement he remained reluctant, insecure, and often unhappy.No prophet exposed his feelings more than Jeremiah. His relationship with God was streaked with quarrels, reproaches, and outbursts. He told God he wished he were dead (20:14-18). He accused God of being unreliable (15:18). But God offered no sympathy. Rather, he promised more of the same, reminding Jeremiah of his promise to stand by him (12:5-6; 15:19-20). Their relationship, doubts and all, forms one of the best examples in the Bible of what it means to follow God in spite of everything (Compton's Interactive Bible NIV)." Jeremiah's message wasn't a pretty one. He warned the people that their worship was empty and that the shepherds were deceiving the people. Time and again God spoke through His prophets that His desire is for people to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! Jesus was asked, "What is truth?" We know the answer - He is truth - the living representation of God's manifold grace. Several years ago I had the privilege to join the ladies at a local prison work release center in a Bible study. By divine appointment, a man was there doing a follow-up for a drama presentation of the gospel his group had performed there previously, "Watch the Lamb." We submitted to his teachings and found ourselves being richly blessed. It is awesome when God places us in the path of someone else who is hearing God speak the same truth He is speaking to us; that is affirmation. Jesus wants our ministry to be the same as His - making disciples - one person at a time. Does that mean He doesn't want us to come together in corporate worship? Absolutely not! God wants us to worship Him with other Believers, but when we leave that place we should joyfully be ready to be His hands extended! Proverbs 11:24 says, "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything." If we are not letting the love He gives us flow from us to another person we will begin to die spiritually. Go today and worship your Lord - then receive the joy of being a friend to the friendless. Father, my heart rejoices in Your majesty! Please accept my praise as sweet fragrance in Your presence. Help my life today be a living sacrifice for you. I love you! ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] window live messenger: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
