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“BUT”
“NOT INTO TEMPTATION”
Not a solicitation to evil, but a test of faith; a difficulty to bear, to do a duty of self-willing (“Choose you this day whom you will serve.”); a trial or tribulation; troubles at hand.
“Think it not strange as some fiery trial that is come upon you; as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice. . .” (I Pet.4:12,13)
(I Cor.3:13) “. . . the fire that tries every work to see what sort it is.”
“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried . . . is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (context: James 1:12-14)
“BUT”
Prey (not pray) “BE”ing bait so that others may get hooked on Jesus!
Willing to “BE” used (even bruised like Jesus) for those on a feeding frenzy, to find the way, the truth, and the life of God Our Father that is found only in the Lord Jesus.
“Thy life I will give you for a PREY in all the places you go.” (Jer.45:5)
Wherever I go, He is there all the time, “hid with Christ in God.”
Abandon to God! Here I AM, Jesus lead me all the way.
Only to be what He wants me to be,
Every moment of every day,
Yielded completely to Jesus alone,
Every step of this pilgrim way.
Just to be clay in the potters hand,
Ready to do what His Word commands,
Only to be what He wants me to be,
Every moment of every day.
My part is to “BE” ready with a reason of the hope that is in me, should anyone ask.” (I Pet.3:15) Our problem is that very few ask. They seem to avoid the question.
From Our Fathers viewpoint, “What we have seen, heard and handled of the Word of life.” Wait and Watch. See what God is “DO”ing.
We are the odor of Jesus (crushed spice) a fragrance wherever we go, a sweet smelling savor for God’s nostrils. HAH! The breath of God breathed Words. God’s Word at work in us. (His choice) “I have chosen you. . . to BE. . .” (do I have bad breath?)
The NOW of His leading. (Not our plans of future events) What has happened of His work in us is the success of His enter-prize. Divine guidance through childlike eyes, not grandiose projects that meet overwhelming needs. The poor, sick and suffering will always be with us. Our job is but to follow Jesus. We can’t save a single soul (only God can do that). My hope is to be rightly related to Him with a passion that would ignite others also.
My responsibility is to watch and follow. “Go teach – make disciples of all Nations” “MY house shall be called a house of prayer for all NATIONS.”
When God says no to our plans, He says yes to His best for us. Success is the glory God gets in what He is “DO”ing in us. Father knows best! We rest in what He has done, not in what we can do.
Where are all the grand words now? Published, burned in an ash heap, buried, they are all gone now. Puff, but a vapor, they have all disappeared. Nothing but a blink even in our own personal history. Where are all those great thoughts now? Is our part in the grand scheme of things bringing us around to first events that began with “OUR FATHER” who wills for us to know Him? Redeeming the time; Renewing our place to “BE”. When we think we are “DO”ing His leading, when you listen to “OUR” thoughts; but all the while He is the one who directs our pathways. Stop and listen! What do you hear? Your word or His? Here today, gone tomorrow. It is He that is from everlasting to everlasting. It is His Word that endures forever. We call Him “FATHER”.
It is your move; He never moved. Our status as Sons is His idea. (not ours). Our relationship is belief in a covenant promised to them that believe in Him. He is the center of our focus. It is He that gives the gift of life; everlasting life – not restricted to time or the elements.
“Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (I Pet.3:15)
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time, let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” (Col.4:2-6)
“DO”ing may be a matter of “BE”ing! “BUT. . .”
