Thursday, May 31, 2007

Mid-Week Musings : The Greatest Test

I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. - 1 Chronicles 29:17a
God tests His children to know what is in their hearts. God's desire for each of His children is to walk in relationship with Him, to uphold His righteousness and integrity. It is a high calling that we will fail to achieve without complete dependence on Him.

The greatest tests come not in great adversities, but in great prosperity. For it is in prosperity that we begin to lose the sensitivity to sin in our lives. Adversity motivates us to righteousness out of a desire to see our adversity changed. Prosperity fails to provide this motivation for obedience. We fall into a satisfaction and confidence in life that is based on our prosperity rather than on God.

Hezekiah was a great godly king. He was a faithful, God-honoring king most of his life, but toward the end he became proud. God wanted to find out if he would still honor Him and recognize His blessings in his life. He failed the test when God sent an envoy to his palace to inquire about a miracle that God performed on behalf of Hezekiah. The test was designed to find out if Hezekiah would publicly acknowledge the miracle performed on his behalf.
But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicle 32:31).

Hezekiah's failure resulted in his children failing to carry on as rulers of Israel, and the nation would eventually be taken over by Babylon.

The lesson of Hezekiah is clear. If we are to remain faithful to our Lord, we must remain steadfast in our obedience to Him. Prosperity can be our greatest test. Ask the Lord to give you the grace to be a faithful follower during times of prosperity.
Os Hillman

posted by Mel-Vern @ 8:56 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 11, 2007

Mid-week Musings : Wisdom for Leaders

Chapter 46 - Wisdom for Leaders in Richard Exley's "Man of Valour" intrigues me. According to Pastor Gordon MacDonald, a leader has to deal with four basic types of people :

VIPs (Very Important People) - They are today's leaders. From them, a leader receives strength and encouragement.

VTPs (Very Trainable People) - These are tomorrow's leaders. They are like VIPs in talent and temperament, but they lack their experience and maturity. To achieve their full potential as men of God, they must be trained and discipled
VNPs (Very Nice People) - They like to be seen with the leader and count him as their friend. Usually generous and kind in nature. VNPs are fun to be with, but by the same token, they seldom make a significant contribution to the accomplishment of the leader's vision.
VDPs (Very Draining People) - Tend to be insecure individuals with a long history of rejection. Since the leader is a compassionate man, they are drawn to him, demanding more and more of his life. Their neediness wil consume him.
The trouble with a great many men is that they spread themselves out over too much. They fail in everything. If they would only put their life into one channel, and keep it, they would accomplish something. They make no impression, because they do a little work here and a little work there...lay yourselves on the altar of God, and then concentrate on some one work.
D.L.Moody

posted by Mel-Vern @ 11:45 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 07, 2007

Yes Lord!

I am afraid of saying 'Yes', Lord.
Where will You take me?
I am afraid of drawing the long straw,
I am afraid of signing my name to an unread agreement,
I am afraid of the 'yes' that entails other 'yeses.'
O Lord, I am afraid of Your demands, but who can resist You?
That Your Kingdom may come and not mine,
That Your will may be done and not mine,
Help me to say 'Yes.'
Anonymous


Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

posted by Mel-Vern @ 8:49 AM 0 comments