The Snake's Reasoning: Happiness or Holiness?

I've been reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, and I found a simple yet deep truth very clearly written out in one of the chapters. This truth is illustrated throughout Scripture and in our every day lives.

Consider Jacob and Esau. Both were hoping and praying for their father's blessing, but only Jacob received it. Did they both serve a sovereign, loving God? Think about those two Christian men you know who are unemployed and were recently interviewed for a position at that well-known company. They, and many of the people they know, were praying for God to provide for their families through them getting the job. However, just one was offered the position. Does God still care about both of them?

Elisabeth writes about a conversation she once had with a friend in the middle of the night. Her friend had just come in from a date, was troubled, and wanted to talk.  She explained her eagerness to marry a handsome and wealthy man, however, she had just been out with a Christian man who was very nice, interesting, and handsome, but...not wealthy.


Wisely, Elisabeth asked her a few questions.

"What do you want more than anything else?" I asked. "God's choices or your own?"

"God's, of course."

"What if He should choose for you a man who was poor and homely?"

"Oh, but he wouldn't!"

"Why not?"

"Because He loves me."

"I see. Then He will give the poor and homely man only to a woman He doesn't love?"

"Oh, but--"

"Or--think about this one--does He love the poor, homely man? If so, will He give him an ugly woman? Or might He give him a beautiful one?"

"Oh, please!"

"You said you wanted God's choices, Jane, and God's choices involve His plans for the whole universe--all the atoms, all the worlds, all the people, pretty and ugly, rich and poor. He's engineering an intricate pattern for good, and part of that pattern might necessitate giving a beautiful girl to a homely man. Maybe the man with no looks and no money is praying God will give you to him. What about that, now?"

"That's too complicated for me. I've prayed for His will, and I've prayed for a rich, handsome husband, and that's what I'm going to get, because Jesus loves me and Jesus wants me to be happy."

"So if you don't get him, will that prove that God doesn't love you?"

The blue eyes filled with tears. "Doesn't He want me to be happy?" (I heard an echo of Eve in Eden.)

"He wants you most to be holy."

"Miserable and longfaced, then. Is that what God wants? Is that what holiness has to mean?"

"Has to? No. Not only doesn't have to, but can't. Real holiness can't possibly be miserable and longfaced, Jan. Holiness means 'wholeness.' Comes from the same root as hale--you know, hale and hearty. Healthy. Fulfilled."

"Well, that has to mean happy."

"That's what it means for sure. The problem starts when we make up our own minds what will give us happiness and then decide, if we don't get exactly that, that God doesn't love us. We slither into a slough of God-hates-me-self-pity."

"But you just said He wants us to be happy. He must want to give us what we want, doesn't He? I mean, within reason."

"He wanted Adam and Eve to be happy, but He didn't give them everything they wanted. He knew it would be the death of them. So they got mad and decided He didn't love them and was being stingy when He told them not to touch the fruit. How could He love them if He didn't let them have it? They put more stock in the snake's reasoning than in God's."

(Passion and Purity pp. 40-42)

When my prayers aren't answered the way that I see would fit into my life's plan, does God still see me? Doesn't He know that I have needs and desires? Doesn't Him loving me mean that He wants to make me happy?
What do you do when you feel you've come to a point that your circumstance appears to be an inadequate status for deep personal growth? How long do you hang on? How ever did Jesus manage to be content with the little he possessed on this earth?
When we feel this way, I'm afraid the Snake has been whispering in our ear, "God is stingy. He dangles beautiful, alluring fruit before your eyes but won't let you taste it. He refuses to give you the one thing you need for deep personal growth, the lone thing in the world that would solve all your problems and give you true happiness."

Love others today.
GE

    

My Sincerest Thanks

Years ago, I was kidding and being a bit silly when I told a group of teens that I had three goals in life.
     1. Write a song
     2. Become the vice-president of something
     3. Write a book

I recently added a fourth. My father-in-law, who I loved dearly, passed away in August. Okay, now I’m typing through tears. He was a great guy who taught me many things. Well, I got his cool, garage stuff: including two plastic cabinets with 105 clear plastic drawers. There are thousands of little items: nuts, bolts, screws, fuses, etc. I’m not even sure what some of the items are. The fourth goal – maybe you guessed it – use all that stuff before I join him. Crazy, I know, but why not? Well, there you go - busy guy with four extra things to accomplish.

I’m happy to report that the first two goals are in the books. When my oldest son (Michael) was about 4, I composed (made-up) a song called the Goodnight Michael Song. “There once was a boy named Michael who laid upon his bed . . .” Of course, as the other two boys got older it became the Goodnight Michael, Jeffrey, and Timmy Song. So, check off goal #1. I also secretly formed the “Pastor Max Fan Club” and became the vice-president. I couldn’t find a president or members, so the fan club quickly disbanded. Check off goal #2.

Now to goal #3. It was about a month ago that I started considering writing a blog. Why a blog? Truthfully? Goofy as it may sound - I’d like to put together a 365-day devotional book, and I thought it be a good way to get something on paper. Well, maybe it’s not actually on paper, but you get the point.

I knew little about how blogs worked or how to start one, but with help and encouragement from a grad student (JM) and a high school senior (GE), I finally got started. The theme of the blog is encouragement – with a focus on the three E’s of ministry: exaltation, edification, evangelism. Love God – exaltation. Love your neighbor as yourself – edification, evangelism.

Sustainability is the biggest challenge. The average post takes 3-4 hours. I’m a slow thinker, a slower writer, and an even slower typist. No one who knows me is surprised by any of that. I just like to share what God is doing. He’s an awesome God, and He’s always doing great things.

When I first started, I was hoping that someone would read the blog. 50 views in the first two weeks would have been a thrill. Tomorrow will be the end of the second week. As of this moment there have been 656 views. I am thankful and very humbled by the number of views and all the kind comments (by way of facebook). Please accept my heartfelt thanks. Goodnight. Have a great Lord’s Day.   PM

I'm against sin. 

I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot, 

and I'll fight it as long as I've got a fist. 

I'll butt it as long as I've got a head. 

I'll bite it as long as I've got a tooth. 

And when I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless, 

I'll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition!

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)
American evangelist

   

10 out of 10 - You Can Know

A man can slip into hell with his hand on the doorknob of heaven.

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)
American Evangelist

A few years ago Ray Comfort was one of the keynote speakers at a convention that I was required to attend in California. The keynote speakers in previous years were not good, so I immediately crossed my arms in resistance when he stepped up to speak. I’m not exactly sure when my arms uncrossed, but I do know that from the very beginning he had my attention. What he said made too much sense not to listen. Afterward, I bought his tapes to learn more.

About a month later, a young visitor named Cleo came forward in our small church. The pastor asked me to deal with him. Cleo just wanted to go to heaven. He had been to mass twice in his life and knew nothing about the scriptures. For the first time in my life I gave the Gospel with confidence and without hesitation: going from the natural to the spiritual. I’ll spare you many of the details, but I started by reading Psalm 19:7a. “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.” We chatted about the purpose of human law/rules and the punishments for breaking those rules. “What if God had law?” I asked. He had never thought about it or had even heard of the Ten Commandments.

Bits and Pieces of our conversation

Me    “Ever told a lie?

Cleo    “Of course.”

Me    “What does that make you?”

Cleo    “A liar.”

Me     “That’s 0 for 1, Cleo.  Ever taken something that didn‘t belong to you?”

Cleo    “Yes, most people have.”

Me     “What does that make you?”

Cleo    “A stealer.”

Me    “Yes, a thief. You’re 0 for 2.”

As I asked Cleo about each of the commandments, his eyes would drop as he answered.  At about #7 he didn’t look up at all.  Cleo’s countenance changed as he began to experience the weight of his sin.  It’s an unmistakable and amazing thing to behold.  We finished all ten.

Me    “Cleo, you’re 0 for 10.”

Cleo    “Yeah.”

Me    “If you stood before God today, would be stand innocent or guilty?”

Cleo    “Guilty, I guess”

Me    “I think you’re in trouble; don’t you?”

Cleo    “Yeah, I didn’t even know that God had laws. I guess I have to go to hell.”

          ( That was his own conclusion. I had not talked about heaven or hell.)

I told him about heaven, about hell, and about the sacrifice that Christ made. We read verses together (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, etc). Cleo got it. I didn’t have to tell Cleo what to pray. He knew what to pray. It was the simplest, sweetest prayer I’d ever heard.  It went something like this. “Dear God I didn’t even know you had laws. I’m so sorry for breaking them. I don’t want to do that anymore. My life is going in the wrong direction, and I need you to change it. I deserve to be punished in hell. Jesus, please pardon me and forgive me for what I've done, and let me go to heaven. I guess that's all I got to say.” What a simple way to say amen. You see, Cleo wasn't saying or praying words. He was actually talking to God.

There was an immediate change in his countenance . He was so excited. He explained everything back to me. He truly understood. When we left the room the senior pastor was heading in our direction. I said, “Pastor this is Cleo. Cleo this is the pastor. Cleo, tell him what just happened.” Cleo put his finger in the pastor's face, looked him straight in the eye, and asked, “Did you know that God has laws?” I laughed and said, “It's okay, Cleo. He‘s already a Christian.” Cleo’s response, “I just wanted to make sure.” A few minutes later we had the same conversation with the music pastor. When Cleo went home, he shared the Gospel with his mom. There was immediate fruit. Spiritual change (real conversion) is a wonderful thing to behold. Salvation isn't eternal fire insurance; it’s life transforming. Thankfully, I’ve seen the Lord do this many times since that day.

I John 5:13 tells us that you can know that you have eternal life. Do you know that you have eternal life? Do you REALLY know? Let me ask it this way. On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you that you are on your way to heaven. If your answer is anything but a 10, then you’ve probably never been converted; you’ve never become a Christian; and you’re not on you’re way to heaven. God says that you can know.

If you want to know more about using the Ten Commandments in witnessing contact me or listen to “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” at www.livingwaters.com. If you have further questions about your own salvation, contact me through the comments section; email me at pastormax12345@cox.net, or join the facebook group called Ask Pastor Max. I want to help and will get someone on it right away. It's time to know. PM

Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead.  

Don't you believe a word of it! 

At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; 

I shall have gone up higher, that is all, 

out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal

- a body that death cannot touch, 

that sin cannot taint; 

a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.    

Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)

           

The Loneliest Phone Booth

A few years ago I was involved with a ministry where (for a time) I saw little in the way of lasting fruit. It was very discouraging. At times I would ask God, "Is this it. Is this all there is? Have I done something to displease you?" Everyone who serves God gets a little discouraged from time to time. But it's not about what we desire, or think, or feel, or perceive, or even experience. It's never about us and our timing. It's always about God and His timing. 

We find a great lesson about this in the book of Exodus. Moses spent the first 40 years of his life being trained and educated in Pharaoh's court. He became a somebody. Then he spent the next 40 years in the desert being humbled. He became a nobody. After being trained and humbled, he spent the last 40 years leading the Israelites. He had become God's somebody.

It's like the story of the loneliest phone booth. 

A PacBell phone booth was place in the middle of the Mojave desert for use by miners in the 60's. It was 8 miles from the nearest paved road and was most likely put there for emergency uses.

Photo: Lara Hartley, Desert Dispatch

For many years after the miners were long gone, it was all but forgotten. One might even say that it was on the "outs." The windows were shot out; the light was busted out; the booth was rusting out; time seemed to have run out. But the phone still worked . . . and waited.

photo: Azfoo.net

A gentleman who heard about it called the number (760.733.9969), and a person actually answered the phone. The man who called the number wrote an article which made the lonely phone booth instantly popular on the internet. It went to cult status! People camped at the phone just to answer calls - calls that came from all over the world. One man camped there 32 days and answered over 500 calls. At some point someone put a book in the booth to log the calls. It was an exciting and useful time for the old phone booth. However, park officials became increasingly concerned about the effect of all the visitors on the park, so they had PacBell remove the phone in 2000.

Photo: Lara Hartley, Desert Dispatch

It was used early, had a dormant period, and was greatly used later - until its maker decided it had lived out its purpose. Cool story, and a great illustration of how God often works in our lives. 

I pray that this was as much of an encouragement to you as it was to me. God bless as you remain faithful. PM
      

Honest Abe Takes a Hit

I laugh every time I see that commercial. 

It's a fake Honest Abe giving an honest answer and getting into honest trouble.

At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some Trans-Atlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined could not, by force, take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we be author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.                  

The above speech was given on January 27, 1838 by the real  Abraham Lincoln (28 years old)- more than 20 years before the start of the Civil War. Even in his early years, Lincoln understood that the destruction of our country could only come from within. What is the key to the downfall of a nation such as ours? When will we lose our strength, our privilege, and our freedom? We will lose these things when we forget our Christian heritage and forsake the Christian principles upon which this nation was founded.

When I say we, I don’t mean we as a country, I mean we as Christians. Churches across this country have forsaken the teaching of sound doctrine and have forsaken the simplicity of the Gospel. In many places they teach a man-made gospel: a gospel of health and wealth – a gospel motivated by nickels and noses – a gospel not found in scripture. We are challenged to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). Light illuminates and salt flavors, purifies, and preserves. Many churches are weak and have ceased to be salt and light. Many are no more than places for social gatherings.

Could a country like ours crumble – a country with 1000’s of churches – a country known for its missionary efforts throughout the world? Many years ago England was the center of evangelistic outreach for the world. According to the 2005 Church Census, only 6.3% of all those who live in that nation attended any church on Sunday… any church at all. A nation that was once a beacon of light to the world is now growing dark within.

A 7th grader came to see me three days ago. She was concerned about her salvation. I asked her, “On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you that you are on your way to heaven?” She said, “7.” I John 5:13 says that we can know that we have eternal life. But she didn’t know. As I explained the Gospel to her, I drew a picture of the cross. I asked her what it meant. She had been diligently searching for the truth and had attended services at other churches in the area. I expected to hear her say something about Jesus dying on the cross, but she could only tell me what she had been taught at other places. Her only response was, “I don’t really know. It’s something about God.” She knew little because she was taught little. Thankfully, that evening she heard the simple truth of the Gospel. She humbled herself before God and became a “10” Christian. The change away from scripture is often a subtle, slow drift, but the effect is devastating. 

Some of the warning signs of a self-centered church or life.

Great theology is replaced with great psychology.

Obedience is replaced with expedience.

Supplication is replaced with manipulation.

Holiness is replaced with busyness

Principle is replaced with passion.

Commitment is replaced with convenience.

Knowing God is replaced with knowing about God.

When does this happen?

When individual Christians cease to be salt & light. 

They become light-less and salt-less.

The focus is on self.

It happened to Sampson – the strongest man (physically strong).

It happened to Solomon – the wisest man (mentally strong).

It happened to David – a man after God’s own heart (spiritually strong).

How does this happen?  

When we become full and satisfied 

(just like Sampson, Solomon, David, and the children of Israel), 

and we forgot God. (Deuteronomy 6:11-12)

How is this prevented?

Don’t forget God.   

How healthy is your church?

How healthy are the Christians in your church?

How healthy are you? Really?

PM

Matthew 5:13-16

Ye are the salt of the earth: 

but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? 

it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. 

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; 

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land 

which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob,

to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not,

and wells digged, which thou diggedst not,

vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not;

when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

then beware lest thou forget the LORD,

which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt,

from the house of bondage.

              

3 Men, 10 Mattresses, a Car, a Rope, & a Plan - Priceless (A Must See Video)

The video was taken this afternoon in Chandler, AZ around 4pm on the 202 during rush hour traffic. The vehicle was doing 55-60 mph with eight layers of mattresses roped to the top. There were 4 twins and 6 larger mattresses. It was a very unbalanced load that was constantly shifting. Most of the other drivers were laughing just like us. Mrs. Max recorded the event as I drove. Many of the drivers (and I did say drivers) were recording the event with their cell phones. I’m sure this will be on YouTube soon. I hope they made it safely. Foolish? Well, of course. Read on.


Often when I counsel struggling teens, they admit to not praying and not reading God's Word. Because of a lack of surrender, they do everything in their own wisdom and with their plan. They miss out on the direction and power that God would otherwise supply (Psalm 1). Internally they are bored and empty. Externally they appear bored and directionless. When in conflict they typically respond fearfully, angrily, or bitterly.  


When asked if they want to do right, the answer is usually YES. When asked if they are willing to do right, the answer is NO. When asked if they are willing to be made willing to do right, the answer is a resounding NO. This is hypocrisy: hypocrisy that is often hidden behind churchy faces, churchy words, churchy apparel, and churchy actions. They know how to play the Game of Church.



More and more now teens tell me that they don't read the Bible, but they do pray. They seem to take comfort in this and think that the idea of being "somewhat surrendered" puts them ahead in the Game of Church. But it doesn't. It's merely partial obedience, and church is NO game. Dr. Michael Sproul often says that partial obedience is complete disobedience. Did you get that? Complete disobedience.
 
Good relationships are founded on good communication (two-way conversation). It's talk and listen, speak and spoken to, ask and answer, teach and learn. A person who prays without reading God's Word doesn't want conversation or relationship. He wants a rabbit's foot for good luck and a genie for great stuff. The message is clear, "God, you need to hear me, but I don't need to listen to you." It is selfish pride on parade.


It reminds me a bit of the guys in the car with the mattresses piled on top. In their own eyes it might have seemed like an okay plan, but the potential for harm (to themselves and to others) was evident. Without God’s Word we have no light, no guide, no wisdom, no strength, and no direction. We have our own bad plan – a really bad plan. It’s a sinful plan that will bring unhappiness to self and will bring misery or distraction to others.


The solution: There must be surrender to God, and this surrender must be complete and unconditional.  A lack of surrender means a continuing of hostilities to God. Yikes! Remember, God resists those who are proud and fight against Him but gives grace to those who are humble themselves before Him (James 4:6). So, when does a person get to the point of unconditional surrender to the will of God? When that person is without strength and completely incapable of continuing the hostilities. We call that brokenness.


It's true in war.
It's true in strife.
It brings real peace
It gives new life.


It's time to raise the white flag to God
PM


              

Purpose and Peace

We live in a violent, vulgar time.

- a time when people have little purpose

- a time when many desire personal peace 

- a time when one must turn to God for purpose and peace.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17


Let's break it down

1. "And whatsoever you do in word or deed" 

     - If I'm not doing it, then I'm probably saying it.
  
Thought Question:

Since actions and words are generated by thoughts, then how important are my thoughts?


What do my thoughts reveal about me?  (Proverbs 23:7)


So what things should I think about?  (Philippians 4:8)  

Hint: There are 6.


What is the result of proper thoughts and actions?  (Philippians 4:9)  

Hint: P______ of G_____

2. "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" 

    - Everything I do should be done with Jesus in mind.


With whose name should I be willing to have my actions (words and deeds) associated?


Thought Question:
To whom do my actions actually bring glory (attention or praise)?

What do we call something that brings honor to self and dishonor to Christ?
Hint:  S __ __


3. "giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
    - I should be able to thank God for my words and actions.

If I can't thank God for them (my words and actions), then what must be the reason?
It's simple; it's sin.
    

Conclusion: All my words and deeds should be done in such a way 
that I can thank God for them.  

PM

In Your Eye

Think of a time when you got a speck of something in your eye!  It might have been tiny, but do remember the irritation and the pain? Ouch! Until it was removed you were distracted, blurred, and somewhat helpless.  Ever seen someone else with the same sort of problem?  What was your response to that person's need?

Read Matthew 7:1-5

 1) Judge not, that ye be not judged.  2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

This passage is about

    1. marred vision and hindered blessings

    2. restoring vision and blessing

So which is the mote and which is a beam?

_______________ - a great length of timber, a log, a rafter

_______________ - a tiny speck (like sawdust), a splinter

                 Hint: alphabetical order

According to Matthew 7

Who is called a hypocrite?

Which must be removed first, the mote or the beam? Why?

Hint: Which is more easily spotted, accessed, and personal? Which is not?

The mote is some fault that I see in another (real or imagined).

- It's hard to tell with that log in the way; isn't it!

The beam may simply be my unloving response to one who has the mote.

Feelings of resentment, coldness, and criticism are signs of an unloving spirit.

The first flicker of an unkind thought or criticism is the beginning of this un-love.

Key: I choose to love or to un-love.

If I choose to love -  I will admonish and exhort, and provoke.

admonish - caution, reprove, rebuke (Col. 3:16)  Admonishing whom? _____________

exhort - encourage, urge (Heb.3:13)  Exhort when? _______________

provoke - incite (Heb. 10:24)  Provoke to what?     _______________

Bottom line: The love of Jesus poured into me will make me want to help my brother.

Where does love for Jesus begin?  (Phil. 1:21, I Cor.15:31)  Hint: ide to elfs

IF I die to myself - to my gifts, to my rights, to my power, to my goodness, to my ambition;

THEN and only then will I understand the cross and have the power of God in my life.

What makes for a successful removal? (verse 5)

I must first cast sin from my own heart, so I may be clean to help my brother

- before it's too late, for either or both of us!

Ask God to reveal the timber of sin that is in your heart.  Then ask forgiveness and repent. 
PM

Two Ways

Psalm 1


 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
         Nor stand in the path of sinners,
         Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 

 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night. 

 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, he prospers. 



 The wicked are not so,
         But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 

 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
         Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
         But the way of the wicked will perish.

We Get One Shot

A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity…The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever.…Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny.…How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness…? It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish to wear it forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.          Adoniram Judson

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? 

 It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

     

Voice Recognition

Call to me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

I am writing this piece using a voice recognition program.  I will not be editing anything on it, so what you see is what you get.  Voice recognition programs need training. It takes a while four the program to recognize the voice, and even then, there kin be errors, as you have probably already seen.  Isn't it a good thing that prayer isn't like a voice recognition program.  There is no learning on God’s bee half.  He understands not only what I’m saying, but he knows who is saying it, and he answers accordingly.  Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing.  God hears, God recognizes, God understands, and God answers. 
PM

My Will v God's Will

I found the March 4th My Utmost for His Highest devotional to be particularly challenging and inspiring. The title is “Could This Be True of Me?” The verse is Acts 20:24. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself."

Chambers gives the following explanation. “It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.”


It’s simply a battle between my will and God’s will.

My Will
If I do service for God 
    without a vision for the future and 
    without a call in my life, 
               then I shan’t be bothered by what He requires.

My guide is common sense (reason), covered with a layer of Christianeeze (emotion or words) 

~ otherwise known as hypocrisy.

God’s Will
If I do service for God 
     with a vision for the future and 
     with God’s call in my life,
               then I must be consumed with what He desires.


My guide is uncommon sense (faith), supported by biblical knowledge 
~ otherwise seen as Christ-likeness.
PM