Let Us Keep to the Point

Oswald Cambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: 1/1/09
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"my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20).

I have just finished the last chapter of Kay Warren's Dangerous Surrender. Both she and Chambers quote Paul in this challenge. I remember well a conversation I had with a close spiritual friend shortly after my breast cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2000. I shared with her that my prayer was that this health crisis would somehow bring my daughters closer to knowing and trusting God, even if it meant my death. She thought that to be overly dramatic, but I knew that I meant it with my heart and soul. That moment began a journey of dangerous surrender for me that has been surreal. I have experienced healing for myself, but a much more severe cancer diagnosis for my older daughter, for whom I would gladly give my life in exchange. I know not what God will require of me in the next few moments, but for now I am listening. He has my full attention. I have no choice but to trust His good will. I believe He keeps His promises and answers prayers in the best way to fulfill that good will.

Where the Battle is Won or Lost

Oswald Chambers: MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:12/27/08
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" 'If you will return, O Israel, ' says the Lord..." (Jeremiah 4:1)
This battle that Chambers describes is what I believe hell to be like. Unlike some, I don't know if we truly experience hell on earth or just glimpses of it. I know I have experienced glimpses of both heaven and hell; it's a no brainer for me which I prefer. A Christian's Secret to Happy Life as described by Hannah Whitall Smith is to spend as little time as possible in those dark and secret places of guilt and shame. Satan would have us spend eternity there but our loving Father has provided a fast and easy way out, the very second we are convicted in our souls of a wrong doing. That is what repentance is all about, that and asking for the strength and wisdom not to walk into a particular sin trap again out of a lack of alertness or discipline.

I expect I will be repeating this cycle for the rest of my life, for as soon as I surrender one thing, God has another weakness for me to address. I was first born of Adam, so I accept this, but I celebrate my new birth in Christ and the way out of those little moments of hell. I pray that I will hold fast to this truth, that God does want me to experience human happiness, remembering the suffering that I must do to get there is not always a bad thing. It helps me to be more compassionate and forgiving of others who have not yet realised that the battle is won and our Lord reigns.

His Birth and Our New Birth

Oswald Chambers: MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:12/25/08

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" 'Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.' " (Matthew 1:25)
How do I know if Christ is living in me? It happens when I realize I am experiencing something out of my own natural character, especially in response to someone I am struggling with at the moment. On Christmas morning, John and I sat down to a lovely breakfast that my daughter had prepared for us, her two little ones and her "visiting" husband. I am trying not to presume, so I waited for some indication that it was OK with her to ask a blessing. I was blessed when I saw her reach out her hand to her 5 year old son, who then took his little sister's hand as the rest of us completed the circle. It was then that my son-in-law said in his off the wall and humorous way, "Let's say grace." Well, all of us spoke the word: "grace." Then God took over, and I was able with humility and courage to thank Him for His gift of Grace that this Christmas Day celebrated. Because the Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He could be born in each of our hearts so that we could all, anywhere, anytime and in all circumstances experience His love and grace.

The tradition that I have grown up with is to call this special family time a blessing. For these little ones that I am now caring for, I am going to call it 'grace' , out of respect for their daddy. I love this young man and I pray that he will continue to grow in God's grace. I know it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in me that has a tender heart towards him. Christ demands this of me as He continues to shape my judgemental nature into the creature God intends for me to be. Please pray that this little family may be healed and truly experience the grace God intends for them. Like Mary, I must patiently wait for God's will to be fulfilled. I must not stand in God's way as He works His purposes out for those he loves far more than I do.

Experience or Revelation

Oswald Cambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: 12/21/08

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"We have received . . . the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:12
When I am able to let go of a painful experience and the aftermath of the negative feelings it produces, I am able to hold on to the one and only reality which matters. That reality is that I am God’s child and He loves me unconditionally. Sometimes my human resentment and bitterness wants to hold on to a hurt, a resentment or an anger, but because I am convinced of and committed to the reality of the Holy Spirit , I am able to allow “right thinking” to take the place of “stinking thinking”. Instead of allowing a negative experience to control me, with my free will I request and allow the will of God to intervene and to flood my entire being. Unfailingly, the negativism miraculously drains away and once again I am able to rejoice in the reality of Romans 8:28, that “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

There are negative things going on in my personal life, in my community, and in the world at large. My choice is to view these realities through the eyes of God and the mind of Christ. He knows far better than I how I can make a difference. It is that inspiration for which I pray.