"Christ is our life!"
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I joyfully share with you today, incredible truth from the writings of Andrew Murray. May his rich insights prepare us for an incredible new year...​
Christ's life is more than historical facts concerning His birth, His teaching, His work, even more than His death. It was His unique and divine life in the presence of God and man that gave value to all that He said and did. And it is this life, glorified in the resurrection, that He imparts to His people, enabling them to live victoriously in spite of any upsetting trials or circumstances. |
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Spiritual leaders agree that the life of believers is either the greatest asset, or the greatest obstacle, in the winning of souls to Christ. Too many church members miss this deepest of spiritual truths because they do not understand, nor do they truly believe, this message of the indwelling Christ. When Jesus sent out His disciples it was with this command: "But stay in the city of Jerusalem until you have been endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)​
Everything in missions and ministry depends upon this life with God in Christ being right. The simplicity and intensity of our lives in Christ, and of His life in us, makes us more than conquerors over selfish desires, as well as anything else, that would hinder His purposes for us from being realized. The Christ life will give us power over the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Christ is life! And when He lives in you and me, every moment of everyday, as He promised in His word, you and I can live our lives to the fullest. He is our strength; He is our joy; He is our peace; He is our LIFE!
Christ is life! And when He lives in you and me, every moment of everyday, as He promised in His word, you and I can live our lives to the fullest. He is our strength; He is our joy; He is our peace; He is our LIFE!
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"He humbled Himself" Philippians 2:8
"Humble yourselves" James 4:10
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Humility: a quiet and lowly view of one's own importance; an expression of modesty, unassertiveness, or meekness; a lifestyle normally marked by subtle acts of service.
The entire life of Jesus was a life marked by perfect humility. His birth was an humble event that should have never been noticed in Bethlehem, much less leave a mark on the annals of human history. His life was marked by humility as he immersed Himself in accomplishing the will of His Father. He walked dusty trails, fellowshipped with the despised and forsaken, performed countless miracles, taught massive crowds, and disappeared into the wilderness alone with His twelve disciples when His popularity mushroomed like the cloud of an atomic blast. His humility was also revealed in the way in which He allowed the Roman soldiers to arrest Him, beat Him, and crucify Him. This unique One Who was equal with God, and in fact God alive in human flesh, could have easily called angelic beings to His rescue, or spoken a divine word of personal execution that would have obliterated those who so viciously and hatefully led Him to Calvary's cross.
The entire life of Jesus was a life marked by perfect humility. His birth was an humble event that should have never been noticed in Bethlehem, much less leave a mark on the annals of human history. His life was marked by humility as he immersed Himself in accomplishing the will of His Father. He walked dusty trails, fellowshipped with the despised and forsaken, performed countless miracles, taught massive crowds, and disappeared into the wilderness alone with His twelve disciples when His popularity mushroomed like the cloud of an atomic blast. His humility was also revealed in the way in which He allowed the Roman soldiers to arrest Him, beat Him, and crucify Him. This unique One Who was equal with God, and in fact God alive in human flesh, could have easily called angelic beings to His rescue, or spoken a divine word of personal execution that would have obliterated those who so viciously and hatefully led Him to Calvary's cross.
Humility: a quiet and lowly view of one's own importance; an expression of modesty, unassertiveness, or meekness; a lifestyle normally marked by subtle acts of service.
The Bible says that this unique and perfect humility was a willful choice of the Lord Jesus. "He humbled Himself" the scriptures tell us. He chose to possess a quiet and lowly view of His own importance. He chose to express modesty, unassertiveness, and meekness. He chose to live a life marked by subtle acts of service. "He humbled Himself."
The Bible says that this unique and perfect humility was a willful choice of the Lord Jesus. "He humbled Himself" the scriptures tell us. He chose to possess a quiet and lowly view of His own importance. He chose to express modesty, unassertiveness, and meekness. He chose to live a life marked by subtle acts of service. "He humbled Himself."
The scriptures also tell us that we are to humble ourselves. It is a choice set before us. We must decide to have the same mental thought patterns and lifestyle as the Lord Jesus. We should determine to possess a quiet and lowly view of our own importance. We must choose to express modesty, unassertiveness, and meekness. And we must choose to live a life marked by subtle acts of service. "Humble yourselves."
As we walk through this wonderful time of the year known as the Christmas season, may you and I reflect on the humility of Christ that is revealed in His birth, His life, and His death. And following a time of reflection, may we also repent of our ugly arrogant and prideful ways that are much too prominent in our self-centered lives, and then firmly resolve, by His eternal and enabling grace, to display a pure and precious Christ-like humility throughout the coming new year.
As we walk through this wonderful time of the year known as the Christmas season, may you and I reflect on the humility of Christ that is revealed in His birth, His life, and His death. And following a time of reflection, may we also repent of our ugly arrogant and prideful ways that are much too prominent in our self-centered lives, and then firmly resolve, by His eternal and enabling grace, to display a pure and precious Christ-like humility throughout the coming new year.
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27
Former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw published his bestselling book, The Greatest Generation, in 1998. The book continues to be widely acclaimed for its portrayal of the millions of Americans who answered the call to serve our nation, and the world, during the incredible darkness of World War II. I had the privilege of personally knowing one of these "greatest" when I pastored my first church, the New Oak Grove BaptistChurch near Myrtle, Miss.
James Knighton was an unassuming and quiet man. He was a deacon in our church, served as the treasurer, and shouldered many other responsibilities in our small congregation. He and his wife, Ms. Jewel, were much beloved and respected in our rural community in western UnionCounty. When Tammy and I arrived on the church field in December of 1989, Apryl had just turned a year old and Laurie would be born the following September. Not only was this couple an important part of our church and community, but they were our fantastic, adoptive "grandparents" for our little girls, who adored the times they stayed with Mr. James and Ms. Jewel.
James Knighton was an unassuming and quiet man. He was a deacon in our church, served as the treasurer, and shouldered many other responsibilities in our small congregation. He and his wife, Ms. Jewel, were much beloved and respected in our rural community in western UnionCounty. When Tammy and I arrived on the church field in December of 1989, Apryl had just turned a year old and Laurie would be born the following September. Not only was this couple an important part of our church and community, but they were our fantastic, adoptive "grandparents" for our little girls, who adored the times they stayed with Mr. James and Ms. Jewel.
Not long after I became pastor, I sensed a need for our men to gather together on Saturday nights at eight o'clock to intercede for our Sunday services and the spiritual condition of our community. There would be times when six to eight men would assemble for prayer, and sometimes there would be only two, myself and James Knighton. No matter the weather, the local sporting or civic events, or whatever might be occupying the lives of some of our men, Mr. James was always there with his pastor, praying. And believe me, we saw God do some great things while we were there.
Mr. James had been a Marine in the Pacific theater of WWII. He was an island hopper. His eyes had seen unbelievable carnage as the Marines sought to liberate islands from Japanese control. He never elaborated what he had experienced, as he was always so humble and quiet. He did tell me on one occasion that he had been wounded. It was severe enough to justify his returning home. But he decided the mission had to be accomplished and he needed to be with his men, rather than return to the safety and comfort of his home and family. Mr. James returned to battle. He was a true Marine.
Mr. James had been a Marine in the Pacific theater of WWII. He was an island hopper. His eyes had seen unbelievable carnage as the Marines sought to liberate islands from Japanese control. He never elaborated what he had experienced, as he was always so humble and quiet. He did tell me on one occasion that he had been wounded. It was severe enough to justify his returning home. But he decided the mission had to be accomplished and he needed to be with his men, rather than return to the safety and comfort of his home and family. Mr. James returned to battle. He was a true Marine.
I thought of Mr. James today as our nation mourns the loss of another of our Greatest Generation. President George H.W. Bush was also a brave young man who counted service to his country as a duty and honor during the War. The touching scene of former Senator Bob Dole's fragile body being gently lifted out of his wheelchair so that he might salute the casket of our 41st President was a powerful and emotional scene of love and respect. These men are all part of that Greatest Generation. One became President, one a Senator, and one was an humble Mississippian who served the Lord's church, loved his wife and family, worked in a furniture factory as a supervisor for many, many years, and was a great encouragement to his young and inexperienced pastor.
In the twenty years since Brokaw's book was put in print, it has often been noted that we are slowly losing our Greatest Generation. The Bible says that we all have an appointment with death. For President Bush, this appointment has been fulfilled. For you and me, an appointment is on the calendar as well. Many do not receive an advanced notice, nor a call to confirm. I don't know, but I doubt my life will extend into the 90 year range like President Bush, or Billy Graham, or my grandmother. Death. It's an unsettling reality that looms on the horizon for every man and woman. Are you ready?
In the twenty years since Brokaw's book was put in print, it has often been noted that we are slowly losing our Greatest Generation. The Bible says that we all have an appointment with death. For President Bush, this appointment has been fulfilled. For you and me, an appointment is on the calendar as well. Many do not receive an advanced notice, nor a call to confirm. I don't know, but I doubt my life will extend into the 90 year range like President Bush, or Billy Graham, or my grandmother. Death. It's an unsettling reality that looms on the horizon for every man and woman. Are you ready?
Charles Smith
Has agreed to allow Job2ten to pass along some of his words of wisdom. Be sure to go visit his blog to get to see all his content.
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