Posted on 01/18/2006 10:38:47 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" ( Isaiah 49:2 ). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness" that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11 ).
Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God ( Genesis 17:1 ). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.
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]
Absolutely no flaming! These daily threads are intended to be devotional in nature. If a particular day's offering says nothing to you, please just go on and wait for the next day. Consider these threads a DMZ of sorts, a place where a perpetual truce is in effect and a place where all other arguments and disagreements from other times and places are left behind.
I can attest from personal experience that reading from Chambers daily will almost certainly change - not one's faith - but one's perspective of his/her own faith, and open up new vistas in your spiritual life. If - when - this happens to a reader of these threads, and they choose to share what has happened within them - we are treading on hallowed ground. Be respectful.
- Religion Moderator
GOODMORNING AND GRACE TO ALL BRETHREN!
"I sought him, but I found him not."
- Song of Solomon 3:1
Tell me where you lost the company of a Christ, and I will tell you the
most likely place to find him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by
restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find him. Did you
lose Christ by sin? You will find Christ in no other way but by the giving
up of the sin, and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in
which the lust doth dwell. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the
Scriptures? You must find Christ in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb,
"Look for a thing where you dropped it, it is there." So look for Christ
where you lost him, for he has not gone away. But it is hard work to go
back for Christ.
Bunyan tells us, the pilgrim found the piece of the road back to the
Arbour of Ease, where he lost his roll, the hardest he had ever travelled.
Twenty miles onward is easier than to go one mile back for the lost
evidence.
Take care, then, when you find your Master, to cling close to him. But how
is it you have lost him? One would have thought you would never have
parted with such a precious friend, whose presence is so sweet, whose
words are so comforting, and whose company is so dear to you! How is it
that you did not watch him every moment for fear of losing sight of him?
Yet, since you have let him go, what a mercy that you are seeking him,
even though you mournfully groan, "O that I knew where I might find him!"
Go on seeking, for it is dangerous to be without thy Lord.
Without Christ you are like a sheep without its shepherd; like a tree
without water at its roots; like a sere leaf in the tempest-not bound to
the tree of life.
With thine whole heart seek him, and he will be found of thee: only give
thyself thoroughly up to the search, and verily, thou shalt yet discover
him to thy joy and gladness.
C.H.SPURGEON
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Good morning too!
Hear here.. wise saying.. and admonition..
Its not whether God is real or not.. but whether God is real to YOU or not.. If God is real to you in a practical and tangible way. There is not much that can shake you.. I say not much because its all built on faith.. Faith can grow.. faith will grow if nurtured and can shrink if neglected..
Its absolutely what you have faith in that is tantamount.. Have faith in people, clubs, religion in some form, dogma, history, knowledge, science, or anything other than God himself and you're set up for shrinking or even failure..
In my expereince much has happened to me to shed my reliance on those/many things as a spiritual "skin".. Hurt TOO!.. it hurt to give up some of my faith in various "things".. Seemed to cost me my faith.. but its didn't.. it cost me faith in those "things".. Looking back I can see two heel marks from where God has dragged me.. LoL..
I'm not easy.. LoL.. But have always prayed for God to bring me closer to himself.. To DO that; God must get some things out of the way.. How do I know that?.. The heel marks!.. the heel marks, prove it to me.. Hope you get my metaphor.. because those lessons are costly.. They cost me my druthers.. my weak spiritual tendancys and comfort zones.. But it brought me to where I am now.. and would never want to go BACK.. No doubt there is more to give up.. But really it gets a little easier after you lose some especially hard spots in things you have "bought into"..
I relate to Chambers quote above.. in that way.. For humans can "buy into" the lamest things as real and spiritual.. Praying for God to bring you closer to him can cost you.. It can cost you, you're most cherished ideas of who he is and what he is about.. Could be easier for those less hard headed than I, but I doubt it..
Thank you so much for posting today's devotion from Chambers, Alamo-Girl. This one really strikes home.
Hmmm... missed that.. WoW.. thanks..
Worth considering.. there is "thing" called knowing too much about something.. Can think of a lot things knowing a little of is too much.. Reminds of many of Solomons wisdoms.. "vanity all is vanity".. There are many things done among men that is just not worth the agravation of knowing about.. Nameing some would be an agravation so I won't..
A true statement.. too much light on some/many things, can bring darkness.. even a kind of darkness.. Worth Considering.. Been there and done that.. A study of Solomons words in the bible is not a wasted enterprise..
Spiritual light is one thing, but there are other kinds of "light"... Knowing the difference!.. Well, thats what we're here for I reckon.. To discern spiritually the difference..
Thank you so much for the beautiful Spurgeon devotion!
Thank you so much for bumping by, abigail2!
I figured you'd notice that Chambers shares your view of getting real with God. LOL! GMTA! Thank you so much for all your testimony and insights.
Hebrews 1:3 always comes to mind here, that Jesus Christ is the brightness of the Father's glory. When we are in His Light, we ought to be transparent so that His Light will shine through us, thus fulfilling the vine/fruit metaphor of John 15.
And hosepipe, I agree that there are things in life which seem like "light" to us - but that kind of light is an illusion. God is Spirit and God is Truth and God is Light.
"When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait."
............................................................
"Yet those who wait
for the Lord
Will gain new strength,
They will mount up with
wings like eagles,
They will run and not get
tired.
They will walk and not
become weary."
Isaiah 40:31
I like to dabble in photography. In the days before digital camera and editing software, I would always worry "too much light" or "too little light." I would then have to wait to finish the roll of film, send it in for processing, and see the results - whether I was pleased or disappointed.
When my daily walk with our Lord becomes "too dark" I need to walk toward and into the Light.
However, if I'm too wrapped up in being in the Light that I'm no earthly good to those to whom I should minister, He has a way to bring me to where He wants me.
I pray to be seen and heard in His Perfect Light. Just the right exposure for His purposes.
Interesting take on light / darkness duality.. Jesus showed the example.. Meet "them" where they are up to a limit.. If "they" are in total darkness, then light a "lamp".. He put up with some things condemned others.. When and how to do those things, is spiritually discerned for sure.. When all would condemn a prostitute he had mercy.. When the money changers were such an aid and a help to the worshippers selling doves for sacrifice he was not merciful.. He was not usually real nice to the prevailing clergy either.. "whited sepulchers full of old mens bones" rings in my ears.. What a metaphor..
Jesus was not afraid of darkness or lured to the light.. since he brought the light with him.. What a guy Jesus IS and what an example.. to us.. Some plant seed, others water, but God gives the increase.. Plants do need light to grow though.. SONlight..
Thank you so much for the beautiful passage!
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony and insights!
Faith-sharing bump.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.