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An Indefatigable Desire

I just finished reading John MacArthur's book, "Slave." Towards the end of the book, he references the life of George Muller, whose life was lived as a Father to the Fatherless, beginning a ministry to orphans in Bristol, England, when he was around thirty years old. God captured his heart for those trapped in the chains of poverty, with a particular compassion for children who were without a Mom and a Dad. MacArthur explains:

"[George] Muller's heart was captivated by an indefatigable desire to serve and glorify his Lord. Having been rescued from slavery to sin, he was now the willing slave of Jesus Christ. As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones observed,

There was a day when I died, utterly died, died to George Muller and his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame of even my bretheren and friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God."

Prior to reading this, I had spent some time in solitude worshipping and praying, asking the Lord what He was teaching me over the years, what He was teaching me now. I sensed in my Spirit that the Lord was saying, "I've been teaching you how to die." My response to the Lord was, "Yes, I see that. Keep showing me how. Lead me." Shortly after, I picked up MacArthur's book and read the Muller quote (above). It was as if God was continuing our conversation, showing me how to die to self; and, in dying, truly living.

The bottom line of MacArthur's book is this: To be a Christian is to be a slave of Christ. Paul put it this way in Philippains 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Romans 6:22 says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

I invite you to join me in this simple prayer I am praying. Father, give me an indefatigable desire to glorify You with my life. Show me how to die so that I may live. May I live to show myself approved of You. You are my Lord, my Master. I pray this in the Sovereign name of Jesus. Amen.

[Music That Inspires: Audrey Assad's, "Show Me."]

 

Enjoy. Fully.

"The Scottish catechism says that man's chief end is 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him." - C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms

A.W. Tozer on Life as Worship

If you cannot worship the Lord in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, it is not very likely that you are worshiping on Sunday either. - A.W. Tozer

Worshiping God is not limited to an event or place. For Christ-followers, worshiping God should be the natural rhythm of our everyday lives. Life is worship. In our living, are we worshiping God?

Stop for just a moment. Quiet yourself. Listen to yourself breathe. Your very life is a gift from God. In this moment, wherever you may be, worship Him.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6 (NIV)

I am God. That's my name. I don't franchise my glory, don't endorse the no-god idols. Isaiah 42:8 (The Message)

The Dollar Bill Speaks: Thanksgiving to 'the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations'

Next time you pull out a one dollar bill and see the face of the first President of the United States, President George Washington, remember his words to our Nation in his proclamation of a "day of public thanksgiving and prayer" given October 3, 1789.

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Simple Prayer of Gratitude

The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
G. K. Chesterton

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Thank you, God, that you are with me, that you love me. This is my simple prayer of gratitude.

Fuel

C. S. Lewis wrote, “A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”

What fuel have you been burning? "Alternative" fuels don't cut it. They'll leave you broken down and will eventually wreck you. There is no other. Only GOD.

"...you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me." John 15:4 (CEV)

Find Strength in Your Weakness

With the help of the thorn in my foot, I spring higher than anyone with sound feet.
- Soren Kierkegaard

The Apostle Paul's take, here in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Subscriber's Response to "Surprise" Post

Yesterday, a subscriber responded to my post titled, "Surprise." With her permission, I'm sharing her story with you. I've changed the names, but have not altered her story. Check it out...

Surprise me, Lord, as a seed surprises itself. - George Herbert (1593-1633), English Poet

Ken,
How fitting this is -- we just got that surprise yesterday.

On Saturday night, Mike and I attended a Charity Auction and placed bids on several baskets, but none more
desirable than the Vera Bradley one - Kim would understand. Samantha had been eyeing it every day afterschool and had dropped a couple of subtle hints here and there. Mike feverishly placed several bids, but
lost out to someone a bit more enthusiastic and energetic - no shoving allowed - :0)

Samantha had just come off of a very exciting Monday at a music competition (they won 1st place in middle school large vocal ensemble and were showcased at the end of the afternoon - AWESOME!!!!). We had been
up since 4:00 a.m. and didn't return home until 10:00 p.m. Needless to say, it had been a very long day. In returning home, I had learned that Samantha had irresponsibly procrastinated on her studying and homework, resulting in serious consequences including having to stay up past midnight as well as rise early to complete and prepare. Feeling very deflated and definitely exhausted on Tuesday morning, she was warmly greeted by a pastor in chapel, whom she did not recognize, with an exquisitely, bowed box. Of course, not knowing why in the world she would be receiving a gift and curiosity definitely getting the best of her, she secretly untied the bow, quietly opened the box, and gently pulled back the layers of tissue paper. To her amazement, she found a new, very beautiful Vera Bradley purse.

The winning bidder, whom we'd never met and still do not know, but whom had witnessed Mike competing with her for the basket, had remarkably sought out the owner of paddle #32 - us - and gave the beautiful purse from her winning basket to Samantha, whom she, as well, had never meet or seen. As you can only imagine, the unbelievable gesture was the perfect "uplifting unexpected, only-something-straight-from-His-heart, unmerited, out of the blue" antidote for Samantha's despair. Talking about a surprise.

The extraordinary thoughtfulness impacted our family deeply and there just weren't words to thank her enough.

Surprise

Surprise me, Lord, as a seed surprises itself.
:: George Herbert (1593-1633), English Poet

When is the last time you asked God for a surprise? Not a "wish," but truly a "surprise." One that you don't drop any hints about or attempt to persuade the outcome, but an only-something-straight-from-His-heart type surprise. Out of the blue. Unexpected. Unmerited. Surprise!

The Power of Authentic Community

When I read this quote today, it resonated with me. I am grateful for the men in my life that have lived Romans 12:15 with me, and make this quote ring true to me.

If we be harassed by poverty, or saddened by bereavement... or saddened by any kind of calamity, let good men visit us, men who cannot only rejoice with them that rejoice, but also weep with them that weep...the effect is that rough things become smooth, heavy burdens are lightened, and difficulties vanquish most wonderfully.
- Augustine of Hippo

Romans 12:15 (NIV) says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Matthew 18:20 (NIV) says, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

John 15:15 (NIV) says, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (emphasis added)