Kathy's Bible StudyCourtesy Of Firequill Publications email: FireQuill@cox.net

Let me tell you how God brings people into his house, how he speaks to them, and how he saves them. He does it through life. The Lord builds his church through the testimonies of light shining forth from those who love him. And he’s able to do this not because these servants use the right methods, but because they live the life.

Christ’s life produces light in homes, in neighborhoods, in cities, in workplaces. How is this life obtained? It comes down to every saint living right, beyond reproach, as examples of God’s mercy. Such servants deal honestly, selflessly, with no dark part in them. They lead lives wholly devoted to Jesus, and are ready to serve others at all times.

Paul speaks of servants who “know his will, and approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness” (Romans 2: 18-19). Such saints as Paul describes are to be commended.

Let me give you an example of such light. Recently, the CEO of a company in New York called our church. Pastor Neil took the call. The CEO told Pastor Neil about two women from our church who work for him. He said they weren’t like the others in his office. These two women were always courteous, smiling, helpful to others, never complaining or backbiting. “There’s something different about them,” he said. “I would like to meet with you to find out what the difference is.”

These women were heavenly candlesticks, placed in their jobs by Jesus. And the light they shone lit up the entire workplace. How? They had the life of Christ in them. Their boss recognized it as something beyond what this world has to offer.

That CEO was Jewish. Do you think he would have responded to an invitation to a revival meeting? Would he have read a packet of materials produced by a church? No, he would have tossed it all into “File 13” and never looked at it again. This man responded to true light—a light born of lives hid in Christ, and being lived out daily by two humble women.

We are only able to bring light to our communities as we are full of Christ’s life ourselves. We have to live out the message we bring, if we are to preach it with any power. God help us to remember that the light shines through in the little things of life.

For more on this: http://www.worldchallenge.org/

One of the most encouraging Scriptures in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 4:7

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the

power may be of God, and not of us.” Then Paul goes on to describe those

earthen vessels—dying men, troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted,

cast down. And even though never forsaken or in despair, those men being used

by God are constantly under the burden of their bodies, waiting anxiously to be

clothed with new ones.

God mocks man’s power. He laughs at our egotistical efforts at being good. He

never uses the high and mighty but, instead, uses the weak things of this world

to confound the wise.

“For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the

flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the

foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak

things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And the base

things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and

things which are not…that no flesh should glory in his presence” (1

Corinthians 1:26-29).

Does that ever describe me! Weak thing—foolish thing—despised thing—a

base thing—not very noble—not very smart. Yet that is his perfect

plan—the greatest mystery on earth. God calls us in our weakness. He puts his

priceless treasure in these earthen vessels of ours because he delights in doing

the impossible with nothing.

I saw Israel Narvaez, former Mau Mau gang leader, kneel and receive Christ as

Lord. It was not just an emotional surface experience—he really meant it. But

Israel went back to the gang and ended up in prison, an accessory to murder. Did

God quit on him? Not for one moment!   Today Israel is a minister of the gospel,

having accepted the love and forgiveness of a longsuffering Savior.

Have you failed? Is there a sin that so easily besets you? Do you feel like a

weakened coward, unable to get the victory over secret sin? But with that

weakness in you, is there also a hunger for God? Do you yearn for him—love

him—reach to him? That hunger and thirst is the key to your victory. That

makes you different from all the others who have been guilty of failing God.

That sets you apart. You must keep that hunger alive. Keep thirsting after

righteousness. Never justify your weakness—never give in to it—and never

accept it as a part of your life.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/7859