Tag: Spirit of God

All Efforts of Worth and Excellence Are Difficult

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Oswald Chambersby Oswald Chambers

Enter by the narrow gate….Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…. —Matthew 7:13-14

If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in— it stirs us up to overcome. Do we appreciate the miraculous salvation of Jesus Christ enough to be our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory?

God saves people by His sovereign grace through the atonement of Jesus, and “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). But we have to “work out” that salvation in our everyday, practical living (Philippians 2:12). If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within us by His Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us.

Thank God that He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10), and God will not shield us from the requirements of sonship. God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life. And it is always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence.

by Oswald Chambers

The Other End Of The Leash

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Jonathan Cahnby Jonathan Cahn

When I was growing up, I used to take my dog, ‘Pudgy,’ for walks. Whenever Pudgy saw something of interest, another dog, a rabbit, a mailman, she would take off after it – or she would try. I was on the other end of the leash and it was my job to restrain her. Either I was going to be pulled by Pudgy, or Pudgy was going to be led by me.

It’s the same way with our feelings, our emotions, our desires, our lusts, even our thoughts. Our thoughts and feelings tend to go all over the place, and to things they have no business going after. And most people are led by their emotions and their thoughts, even many believers. But that’s like a man being led by a dog. God has called us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah. That means you can have victory over every thought, every whim, desire, lust, and feeling. But you have to choose to take control. The next time that thought, that feeling, that temptation comes up, you reign it in to the obedience of God – just remember whose on the other end of the leash.

Today’s Mission – Today make it a point not to be led by your feelings, or your flesh. Learn to not be led, but to lead these things, even your emotions as you are led only by the Word and Spirit of God.

by Jonathan Cahn