I am really excited to be entering into this next season as a church family. As Pastor David challenges us to live the call together, I can only begin to imagine the transformation that may take place in our midst. Maybe it did not sound to you like the continuation of Missions Conference, but it was.
This call that Jesus has issued is one that requires all of us. This is more of a command than an invitation. We must come with abandon to Him, offering Him all that we are. We must hold nothing back.
Ultimately, this is not about doing, but about being. As Pastor David and I talked about this series today he affirmed that. Jesus is calling us to be, not to do. It just so happens that our doing flows out of our being, so some different doings will probably result. This call is about relationship more than responsibilities.
I asked you last week to begin thinking of what you will do to be a blessing to others in the upcoming Christmas season. Please know that I am assuming that your activity will flow out of your relationship to Christ. But maybe as you think about doing, there is something in the way. Something that keeps you from answering the call with a resounding, “Yes!” Something that keeps you from Jesus.
Oswald Chambers slammed me again yesterday when he said the following.
Your duty in service and ministry is to see that there is nothing between Jesus
and yourself. Is there anything between you and Jesus even now? If
there is, you must get through it, not by ignoring it as an irritation, or by
going up and over it, but by facing it and getting through it into the presence
of Jesus Christ. Then that very problem itself, and all that you have been
through in connection with it, will glorify Jesus Christ in a way that you will
never know until you see Him face to face. (My Utmost for His Highest, October
3, “The Place of Ministry”)
So what is that thing between you and Jesus? What is that thing that you must get through to get into the presence of Jesus? You place of ministry is IN JESUS. By that I mean you must find your way through that irritation or that mountain and into Jesus before you can really serve Him well.
That is part of what I mean each time I sign off. It is my desire to remain in Christ. For apart from that abiding, I am not useful to Him, or anyone else for that matter. Therefore, let us learn over these next few months how to live in Christ. The call, and our sharing it together, will flow supernaturally from there.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Ministry Notes
♪ Thanks to those who attended last weeks reading. That was a good time together. Thank you Susan Callahan for coordinating for us. Next social is set for Friday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. Watch for details.
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