Influencers Weekly Devotional

June 28, 2010

Go With ME

Embracing Our Sacred Responsibility

From the Inner Chamber to the World

Oftentimes, I hear a comment that many of my thoughts and writings have a tinge of Chambers in them. There is a reason. For years I have loved the wisdom God has given me through the writings of Oswald Chambers, especially My Utmost for His Highest. Therefore, I can recommend, without reservation, this anointed daily devotional book. However, as with all devotionals, I recommend it be used to stimulate your meditation and research into God's Holy Word, rather than a quick thought to read from another man's point of view, no matter how complete it seems. I will not say everything Chambers has written receives my hardy agreement. However, he comes close. Even so, God has much more to say to us than can be found in a quick devotional hit, and it requires time and mediation to process it. Use a good devotional book for a jump start, while not allowing it to be the total content of your spiritual "meal," and you will grow in wisdom from God. For example: If you know me, and are familiar with my passion for the deeper walk with Christ, you would have read and heard many words from me about the essential connection a Christian needs with Christ, through an "abiding relationship" with Him. Sorry, if I reference it too much. However, I believe it cannot be mentioned enough. And yet, I do understand that a fresh point of view from someone else on the same subject can be edifying. Therefore, I will give you a break from my point of view, and instead, ask our brother, Oswald Chambers, to share his perspective. Read his words that I have extracted from My Utmost for His Highest, and be blessed.

Abide in Me . . . John 15:4

In the matter of determination. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus— I have to do it myself. I have to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5  ). “Abide in Me”— in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. Our lives are not made up of only one neatly confined area. Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances by saying that it will only serve to hinder my fellowship with Him? How irrelevant and disrespectful that is! It does not matter what my circumstances are. I can be as much assured of abiding in Jesus in any one of them as I am in any prayer meeting. It is unnecessary to change and arrange my circumstances myself. Our Lord’s inner abiding was pure and unblemished. He was at home with God wherever His body was. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek, submitting to His Father’s plans and directions for Him. Just think of how amazingly relaxed our Lord’s life was! But we tend to keep God at a fever pitch in our lives. We have none of the serenity of the life which is “hidden with Christ in God” ( Colossians 3:3  ). Chamber's thoughts on "Abiding" would indicate that our intimate connection with Christ is not to be lived only in the "Inner Chamber" of our devotionals or time alone with Him. This intimate connection with Christ is to be taken to our world, as well. Being connected to Him in this deeper way will not only help us process life in a more joyful manner, which we all want, but He will also be able to reach through us and grasp another person with His love. For this reason, we must take what God has taught us in our Prayer Closet to the boardroom, classroom, and lunchroom. God's men are not recreated from their sinful, worldly condition to then go into self-imposed isolation in order to stay away from the threats of the world, waiting out Christ' return. On the contrary, we are redesigned by Him to impact our world. When we abide with Christ, along with receiving the Fruit of His Spirit as an indication that He rules our life, we are also given His mission to the world. We become rescuers, wounded healers, and champions of the cause of Christ. We become a reflection of Christ because of our time alone with Him. This reflection is to be a "light on a hill," so that others will see the difference He has made in our life. Remember this about our reflection of Christ: In the same way the moon does not create its own light source but relies on the sun to fall on its face and then reflect to earth, so it is with our witness for Christ. We do not generate the "light" of Christ from our own efforts, or else it would be forced, and even fake. A true witness is a reflection of His Son on our life, and then to our world. The most profound impact a man of God makes to his world is when Christ is seen in all of his dealings with people and circumstances, not just in his words. This power of reflection is found only in close proximity with God, as we abide in Christ. Sharing the journey with you, Rocky TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, CLICK HERE