Mar
23
Written by:
Bob Flynn
3/23/2009 7:30 AM
Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ. (A.W. Tozer)
As I gaze at the gorgeous winter scene that blankets the Rocky Mountains, my heart much appreciates this absolutely wondrous portrait that God has painted in creation. But the beauty that resides in this picturesque mountain setting is only a small part of the scene. God not only paints mountains into His portrait, He also paints visions into the hearts of His children. I cannot testify to the canvass that, by His hand, graces your heart but only the one etched deep within my own. I wish I could say that it was created over a span of years and that I was allowed to admire each brush stroke, contrast and hue—but it was created in an instant. I was struck to the ground and lay paralyzed and unable to move. I wept uncontrollably tears that seemed as if they would never end as the Holy Spirit allowed me to experience His grief over sin (mine included) and the lost souls serving in our military. God, in His tender mercies, had placed His call upon my heart in a way I would not soon forget.
Bob Flynn, President/CEO
I believe that God has called each one of us to be His missionaries. All that remains is our response to His calling. I remember that Moses was less than enthusiastic when He received his call from God. In Exodus 3:10 God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses’ reply, in verse 11, can be paraphrased as I HAVE NO ABILITY! (sound familiar?). God told Moses that He would be with him (verse 12). But you say, “that's O.K. for Moses, what about me?” Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
That would have been enough for me, but not for Ol’ Moses. His retort, in verse 13, was basically that I HAVE NO MESSAGE. But God gave him one. We too have the message that “...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).
Now right after this, Moses rushed off to do God's bidding, right? Wrong-o!!! He complained, I HAVE NO AUTHORITY (Exodus 4:1). So God reminded Moses that He was his authority. Jesus told us, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Now wouldn’t you figure a big league player like Moses would be willing to quit after three strikes? In Exodus 4:10 he claims NOT TO HAVE ANY ELOQUENCE. The Apostle Paul shares with us in I Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.”
You would think at this point that Moses would be all squared away. But, like me, Moses tended to be a little thick between the ears (the texture of case-hardened peanut butter comes to mind). Finally he looked straight at the burning bush and fired off his last big line, admitting that he had NO INCLINATION to do what God had asked (Exodus 4:13). I believe I would have been looking for the big mushroom cloud after that one. But God was gracious. He worked with Moses and allowed Aaron to accompany him and help with his mission. God says to us in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” You see dear brothers and sisters, in Christ, we are without excuse. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” (II Corinthians 6:1)
The fact that I share my faith means nothing, for the folks that come by my front door each week with a small magazine share theirs with fervor. The fact that I DO NOT share my faith says everything!
I pray that all of us in CMF would open up the canvas of our hearts so that God may paint a most wondrous portrait there; worthy of the sacrifices made for us by His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not drag our feet like Moses, but go for the Gold like Paul. We can see that God has provided in every way for our journey. Let us be willing to go forth and spread the good news.
Quotes on Obedience
Various are the pleas and arguments which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of God. But, perhaps, one of the most common objections that they make is this, that our Lord's commands are not practicable, because contrary to flesh and blood; and consequently, that he is ‘an hard master, reaping where he has not sown, and gathering where he has not strewed.’ These we find were the sentiments entertained by that wicked and slothful servant mentioned in the 25th of St. Matthew; and are undoubtedly the same with many which are maintained in the present wicked and adulterous generation. (George Whitfield, Walking With God)
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. (A.W. Tozer)
Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ. (A.W. Tozer)
He will show us, to begin with, just one thing, and it will be our obedience and brokenness on that one thing that will be the first step into Revival for us. (Roy Hession, Calvary Road)
The principle involved is set forth in other places of the Word of God, in different phraseology it may be, but with equal cogency and clarity. Our duty is to draw near with the boldness of faith and in the attitude and readiness of full obedience. Faith will prove a key to unlock every mystery of the truth; obedience will secure our entrance through the door thus opened. (J.A. MacMillan, Authority of the Intercessor)
Many are willing to give up their theatre-going, and card-parties, who refuse to go forth unto Christ outside the camp. Others are willing to go outside the camp, yet refuse to deny their fleshly and worldly lusts. Reader, if there is a reserve in your obedience, you are on the way to hell. (Arthur W. Pink, Practical Christianity)
Ah, dear reader, it is far, far easier to speak in the open air than to uproot pride from your soul. It calls for much less toil to go out and distribute tracts than it does to cast out of your mind unholy thoughts. One can speak to the unsaved much more readily than he can deny self, take up his cross daily, and follow Christ in the path of obedience. And one can teach a class in the Sunday School with far less trouble than he can teach himself how to strengthen his own spiritual graces. To keep the heart with all diligence calls for frequent examination of its frames and dispositions, the observing of its attitude towards God, and the prevailing directions of its affections; and that is something which no empty professor can be brought to do! Give liberally to religious enterprises he may, but give himself unto the searching, purifying and keeping of his heart he will not. (Arthur W. Pink, Practical Christianity)
You shall learn how your great work is to listen, and hear, and believe what He promises; to watch and wait and see what He does; and then, in faith, and worship, and obedience, to yield yourself to His working who works in you mightily. (Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ)