Daily Reflections with Oswald Chambers [January 12, 2006]

My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers; 1992) ^ | 1935/1992 | Oswald Chambers

[Alamo-Girl]

Have You Ever Been Alone with God?

" When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples "

—Mark 4:34

Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?

We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we will never say, "Oh, I’m so unworthy." We will understand that this goes without saying. But as long as there is any doubt that we are unworthy, God will continue to close us in until He gets us alone. Whenever there is any element of pride or conceit remaining, Jesus can’t teach us anything. He will allow us to experience heartbreak or the disappointment we feel when our intellectual pride is wounded. He will reveal numerous misplaced affections or desires— things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. Many things are shown to us, often without effect. But when God gets us alone over them, they will be clear.

In 1910 Chambers married Gertrude Hobbs. They had one daughter, Kathleen, who still resides in London (as of 1992).

In 1911 he founded and became principal of the Bible Training College in Clapham, London, where he lectured until the school was closed in 1915 because of World War I. In October 1915 he sailed for Zeitoun, Egypt (near Cairo), where he ministered to Australian and New Zealand troops as a YMCA chaplain. He died there November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix.

My Utmost for His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and in this, the last decade of the century, remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print. It has become a Christian classic. [from the flyleaf of the book]

[Countyline]

There are several verses to strike fear in our hearts.

verse 26 is one of these verses.

Hebrews 10;26-39
"26. FOR IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."

27. But a certain fearful looking for a judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, where-with he was sanctified;. an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30. For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32. But call to remembrance the former days, in which,, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33. Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye MIGHT receive the promise.

37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39. But we are not of them who draw back unto PERDITION; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

to simply address one example ... in todays world and culture here in the US, church members are living together in unmarried states. Young couples living together come in to the Pastor and wants him to marry them. Expecting their current state of living in sin , NOT to be addressed. If they are born again Christians, God's word is being flouted and they are willfully ignoring it and living in sin. The couples are not ashamed of their behavior and think it perfectly okay. Plus sexual freedom and exploration is rampant in our society. We have great need to pray for our nation, churches, our families, our very daily lives.

May God open our eyes to how we look the other way and are complacent in the face of open flaunting of God's Word.

we are not their judge ... God is ; however we are to tell them in a caring way ... with love ..it is wrong in the eyes of God and not to do it. It is a sin and God will not bless it. God is not mocked.

Gal.6:7-9 "Be not deceived;God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, IF WE FAINT NOT.

WOW! I did not begin this post with all the above in mind. Sorry ... I'll get down off my soap box now.

Father, forgive me for I know not what I do. Amen.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing those passages and exhortations!

[hosepipe]

[ to simply address one example ... in todays world and culture here in the US, church members are living together in unmarried states. Young couples living together come in to the Pastor and wants him to marry them. Expecting their current state of living in sin , NOT to be addressed. If they are born again Christians ]

I see.. a word to the wise.. Not all christians are christians.. Expecting the carnal to be spiritual and sensitive to the Spirit is a fools folly.. Most/many churchs are clubs, a social gathering masking spirituality.. with Monkey Holiness.. Not only that but not all born again christians are born again.. People must be who they are.. Whos to decide? Who is what?.. God.. We have a hard enough time manageing our own(personal) spiritual affairs..

A sin in a club, maybe THE sin, is not being nice, you know being civil.. A Prophet is NOT civil.. or Nice.. thats why a prophet is not accepted among his own.. as scripture says.. However trying to change a clubs way of doing business is not right.. thats why they are a club.. To convert a club into a church will not happen.. You cannot make the carnal spiritual, the spirit is one thing the carnal quite another.. Mixing them is what clubs do.. its normal for clubs to mix spirituality with carnal desires.. wearing a holy mask.. Remove that mask at your own peril..

[Countyline]

Thank you ... you are indeed kind to respond as you did. It is beyond what we as individuals can do ... yet the knowledge of the condition of our society is such a folly ... that once it is seen, it is a seeming imperative to wake up the sleeping minds.

You are wiser, in letting be what will be; and offering your own testimony for others to take or leave. Your are a teacher from which to learn a better way.
Your contributions are thoughtful and meaningful. Thank you again. May you be richly blessed.