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February 2, 2008
THE CONSTRAINT OF THE CALL
Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1co+9:16&sr=1
Beware of stopping your ears to the call of God. Everyone who is
saved is called to testify to the fact; but that is not the call to
preach, it is merely an illustration in preaching. Paul is referring
to the pangs produced in him by the constraint to preach the Gospel.
Never apply what Paul says in this connection to souls coming in
contact with God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting
saved because it is God's sovereign work - Come unto Me and I will
save you. Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as
the conditions of salvation. We are condemned to salvation through
the Cross of Jesus Christ. Discipleship has an option with it - "IF
any man. . . '
Paul's words have to do with being made a servant of Jesus Christ,
and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we
will go. God makes us broken bread and poured-out wine to please
Himself. To be "separated unto the gospel" means to hear the call of
God; and when a man begins to overhear that call, then begins agony
that is worthy of the name. Every ambition is nipped in the bud,
every desire of life quenched, every outlook completely extinguished
and blotted out, saving one thing only - "separated unto the gospel."
Woe be to the soul who tries to put his foot in any other direction
when once that call has come to him. This College exists for you, and
you - to see whether God has a man or woman here who cares about
proclaiming His Gospel; to see whether God grips you. And be ware of
competitors when God does grip you.
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CURE FOR THE COMMON LIFE: LIVING IN YOUR SWEET SPOT, by Max Lucado
In Cure for the Common Life, Max Lucado offers practical tools for
exploring and identifying your own uniqueness, putting your strengths
to work, and living in your "sweet spot" for the rest of your life.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?256
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MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - by Oswald Chambers /\/\
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