Daily Devotional for December 17, 2009 Have you missed any of our devotionals? Remember they can be found in the Archive section of our Website
http://www.gospelines.com "I don't need your perfection" Our walk with Jesus is a frustratingly futile effort to get it right. But walking straight with God is not a perfect path; we will stumble, take two steps forward and three backward, embarrass ourselves and sometimes even act like the devil in our weakest moments. In his book Authority in Prayer, Dutch Sheets found encouragement from the Lord when he learned that a godly life may not always be a life of perfection. "This time, I was not only praying but also speaking in a conference. Before my session, I again heard the Spirit speak: 'I want you to change the atmosphere for Me, over this city and nation. Command it to shift!' I was somewhat stunned. I remember the intimidation I felt standing to the side, waiting to be introduced. Finally, in my insecurity, I said to the Lord, 'I sure hope I don't mess this up.' As clearly as I have ever heard God speak, I heard Him that day. 'You would have to try real hard to mess this up. Unless you totally rebel against My leadership and refuse to do what I've instructed you, I'm going to do this! You don't have to say or do things perfectly. Just do what I've asked you to and I'll do the rest. I need your voice, not your perfection.' Those were some of the most comforting words I've ever heard. I knew God had full authority to do this, and I knew He was authorizing me to be His instrument." What a fantastic word: God doesn't expect (or need) perfection! What a relief this can be if we can only understand this simple message. Paul tells us that ".all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Later, he adds, "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:17-19) Jesus even said that if we try to follow all the points of the law (If we try to be perfect), we'll be "loaded down with burdens we can hardly carry." (Luke 11:46) All who rely on observing every point of the law (and getting everything right) are under a curse: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law" because whoever tries to keeps the whole law but stumbles only one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:10) We don't stand justified or righteous before God because we keep every point of the law or because we do everything right. We live by faith! Faith that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check... but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:2, 8) So, no man can be perfect. However, do not fear. As Dutch Sheets said, if you listen to God's leadership and instructions and accept His grace, you'd have to try real hard to mess up God's plans for you. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, boast all the more gladly about your weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on you. That is why, for Christ's sake, you can delight in your weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when you are imperfect, He is perfect. (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10) GospeLines Prayer: Lord, thank you for graciously looking beyond my weakness and frailty; thank you for forgiving my mistakes and for using me in spite of my faults and shortcomings. Lord, we praise You for removing us from the curse of the law and placing us under the blood of Your precious Son. It is in His name we offer You this praise and thanks. Amen! O. Addison Gethers e-mail address [email protected] [email protected] twitter URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers Messenger contact window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS rs -- 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.
