Christian Horoscope?

I don't know if any of you read horoscopes, but if you do you may want to reconsider reading them and try reading Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. I have often referred to his writings as a Christian horoscope. The reason I say that is not to demean his teachings. In fact, I consider this man to be an amazing teacher. Sometimes I find myself reading these brief excerpts over and over again because of the wealth of teaching packed into them. And just like horoscopes, his teachings seem to hit home for me every time I read them.

This was the case for me on Jan. 19th, 2009. The title of Chambers' teaching was called vision and darkness. He started by saying, "Whenever God gives a vision to a saint, He puts him, as it were, in the shadow of His hand, and the saint's duty is to be still and listen. There is a darkness which comes from excess of light, and then is the time to listen." Chambers was speaking of the vision given to Abram in Gen. 15. This darkness that came upon Abram is mentioned in v. 12 after God had promised the blessing of offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky (Gen. 15:5). The darkness that came upon Abram was one of gloom, despair, and uncertainty. God had made a covenant promise to Abram, and even though Abram believed (Gen. 15:6), he still questioned how God's promises of land and descendants would come to be (Gen. 15:8). Assurance came from God later in the chapter when a smoking fire pot with a blazing torch passed through the offering made by Abram and the Abrahamic covenant was sealed (Gen. 15:17-18). I find myself feeling a bit like Abraham as I struggle with the calling the Lord has placed on my life to equip his saints. As I sit in darkness wondering how that call will be played out, I rest in the assurance that God has me in the shadow of his hand. The call that was placed on my life has been nearly 9 years ago and I will be honest it has been difficult to wait. Continuing the reading, however, Chambers went on to say, "When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will make you in accordance with the vision He has given if you will wait His time. Never try and help God fulfill His word. Abraham went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all self-sufficiency was destroyed; there was no possibility left of relying on common-sense ways. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not of displeasure." Destroying self-sufficiency and removal of relying on common sense were two things that immediately jumped off the page and hit me right between the eyes. Anyone who knows me well enough will see that these are two areas in my life that I must surrender in order to fulfill the call of God in my life. Rest assured, God has definitely been disciplining me in these two areas, and my response has been moreoften one of displeasure than pleasure. It is painful to be broken, yet it is what needs to be done in order to serve a Holy God.

Are you going through a dark time in your life? Perhaps God has you held in the shadow of His hand? I urge you to find the areas in your life that God is disciplining you in order to make you more Christlike. Rest in the promise that, "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6).

Like horoscopes? Try Oswald's book. You won't get any lucky lottery numbers or find out whether your boss will give you trouble at work today. What you will find is a source of encouragment to "have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

If you don't have Oswald's devotional in book form, you can read it online at http://myutmost.org.

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God -- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 1:1-7.)



I was looking for an appropriate way to start this new venture into cyberworld, and I figured using God's word would be most appropriate. This passage serves two functions. First, it identifies who I am. Second, it serves as a welcome to all who find themselves reading this. It is my earnest prayer that this blog will be a source of encouragement to some and a place where a saving relationship with Jesus Christ may be found for others.



In the opening sentence of this passage, Paul identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. While I do not consider myself an apostle, I do consider myself a servant of Jesus Christ who has been set apart for the gospel of God. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ since I was 18, but I have received a call on my life to teach, train, and equip others to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). This blog is an extension of how I intend to do that.



This passage also has a message for all who read it. In verse 6 it says, "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." Some of you read that verse and a comforted by it. You have heard that call from God and are among those who have a saving relationship with His son Jesus Christ. Some of you reading this may find yourself being "called" but not "among" those belonging to Jesus Christ. If that's the case, read verse 5. Faith is required of you to be "among" those belonging to Jesus Christ. Faith in what? Faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you. I encourage you to follow the "Romans Road" to find that faith in Jesus Christ (Read these verses in succesion: Rom. 3:23, Rom. 6:23, Rom. 5:8, Rom. 10:9, Rom. 5:1). If you have any questions after reading these, email me. I'd love to here from you.



I conclude this post with the final words from verse 7. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.