“ The whole burnt offering”

………neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. ………… 

David decided to serve God at his own cost, with self denial and self-sacrifice.

 The principle here is not only about the gift of money:   …but of THOUGHT, EFFORT, TIME, TALENTS, RELATIONSHIPS, INFLUENCE;

   …the renunciation of EASE, PLEASURE, CONVENIENCE, NAME & FAME

   …the endurance of PAIN, OPPOSITION, DISHONOR, and SHAME.

 Here is the highest application, “ The whole burnt offering” of a man (Heart, soul, & will) which virtually includes all other offerings.  What a change it would make in my life if Iwould put this question to myself, “Shall I serve God with that which costs me nothing?”

 God said…None shall appear before me empty…  Every man as he is able…. It shall be perfect to be accepted…..  Neither from a strangers hand

THAT WHICH COSTS NOTHING IS WORTH NOTHING!

 If my prime feeling be that of self, I will go the easiest and most economical way to work and worship. I will seek the largest possible results from the least expenditure.

If my prime feeling be that of God,I will rebuke all thoughts of cheapness and facility.

If I am filled with God…

   I will feel honored in honoring

   I will be blessed in blessing

   I will feel that nothing is good enough or great enough for HIM.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

How Long is my Night?

Several days ago I found myself in the presence of some people who were in the middle of some battles. I spoke with them about valleys and about mountain tops. Somehow, through the conversations, I heard about the darknes and the question, ”How Long will this last?” 

It may sound strange but I want to know, How long is my night?  I know that there is a better day coming, but how long is the night?

I know God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, But how long is the night?

I know, all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, but how long is the night?

I know I need to wait on the Lord and be of good courage, but how long is the night?

I know Jesus is near to comfort and cheer just when I need Him most, but how long is my night?

I know earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal, but how long is my night?

I know He knows just how much we can bear, but how long is my night?

I know there is a bright side somewhere, but I still need to know, How long is the night?

 I am learning that the longer my night, the less time I have to wait. You can’t run through the night, you can’t avoid the night. You’ve got to endure the night. The Word says, “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

If you want to know how long is the night, it’s not long. The same God who closes the curtain of the night also opens the curtain of the morning.          How long? Not long! He promised to wipe every tear from my eye.   How long? Not long! In fact, it will be soon one morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away.   How long? Not Long! He promised a city with a tree of life for the healing of the nations. There’ll be no more sorrow, no more sadness, no more sighing, no more dying, and no night there.

Good night sorrow!       Good night, Sadness!     Good night, sickness!     Good night, pain!          Good night, heartache!     Good night, death!

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

My Resolve for 2010

I will forget about yesterday

I will not worry about tomorrow

I will make today count

I will be helpful to people

I will keep my heart pure

I will act upon my dreams

I will maintain my personal Growth by: 

 Establishing my priorities

Analyzing my assets and liabilities

 Focusing on my strengths

 Surrendering  to God’s will

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Going to the Mountain

In early bible days the priest and prophets would go up into the mountains to worship God and to hear from Him. 

I want God’s help and I must learn to worship Him everywhere and in every situation.

Worship doesn’t mean I have to be in a comfortable place.

Job worshipped sitting in an ash heap with his body full of sores.

David worshipped God from a cave as he was running for his life.

Jeremiah worshipped God sitting out in a field prophesying banging on pots and pans.

Joseph worshipped God out of a prison cell.

Daniel worshipped God out of a den of lions.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, worshipped God out of a fiery furnace.

Jonah worshipped God out of the belly of a fish.

Abraham worshipped God on top of a mountain as he was offering up his only son.

We still talk about mountain top experiences and how we love them.  I have learned that mountain top experiences are not always pleasant.  In fact, some of my mountain top experiences have been the place of the trial of my life. 

But….I am planning this year, to go up on the mountain again, because I must hear from God even if the jaunt is difficult and the stay uncomfortable.

In the Bonds of Calvary,