But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
--Galatians 5:16
One of the most troubling news stories of 2019 has been the attack by the media, the radical left, and “social media influencers” of the Salvation Army. Despite the incredible selfless, good works the Salvation Army does around the globe, it is being boycotted, protested against, and slandered all because it stands by its doctrine that its members adhere to traditional and Christian standards regarding sexual relationships. Two years ago in London, I had the opportunity to meet with the General of the Salvation Army, and it was a true blessing to hear and see first hand faith at work.
The founder of the Salvation Army was a man by the name of William Booth. He was a great Christian who shook London with the Gospel of Christ and helped bring many people to faith in the 19th century. He was once asked, “What is the secret of your success in bringing people to faith?”
He said, “There have been men with greater talent; there have been men with greater education; there have been men with greater opportunity. But as far as I know, God has had all there is of William Booth.”
Does God have all there is of you? Have you turned from the life of self-promotion and self-focus to a life where you surrender yourself and walk in sync with the Spirit of God? That’s the call on the life of every man or woman who follows Christ – to die to yourself and live to God!
You have a choice to make: to either walk by the Spirit or fulfill the desires of the flesh. You’re going to do either one or the other. Surrender your life to Christ, giving Him the control, allowing Him to determine your steps, and watching as He uses you to shake the world!
GIVE JESUS ALL OF YOU BY ALLOWING HIS SPIRIT TO TAKE CONTROL AND DETERMINE YOUR STEPS.
Living in Obedience
Monday, December 30, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 Samuel 15:22–23
As a year ends, people often look ahead to the coming year. Many make plans and resolutions. Some of those are more lasting and important than others. As Christians this is a good time for us to assess our relationship with God and determine how we can more effectively serve and glorify Him. It is fine for us to set goals for our health, finances, and other activities. But our plan for the new year is not complete without considering the spiritual.
And one of the realms in which the spiritual condition of our world, our nation, our communities, our churches, and our own lives needs the most attention is the arena of obedience. There are many things that we try to substitute for obeying God’s Word. King Saul attempted to justify his disobedience by offering lavish sacrifices. It did not stand with God. He is more concerned with our obedience than with anything we offer as an alternative. We must do whatever He tells us to do.
A. W. Tozer wrote, “Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late— and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.”
Today's Growth Principle: We cannot honestly call Jesus Lord unless we are obeying what He has commanded us to do. |
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