when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.1
There is a story of a ship captain who is trying to communicate with what he believes to be a ship heading toward him. He commands the young man on the radio to change course. He states with authority, I am a battleship commander you will obey and change course. The response he receives is unexpected, I am a private first class and this is a lighthouse, you will change course. A commander of a Battleship of the United States of America would command much authority and respect on the seas but such authority will never move a lighthouse. God's principles are like lighthouses, our authority will never move His principles.
Today many people operate to sensuality, not principles. This is often called personality ethics, which is much different than previous generations who operated to character ethics. Today I am to enlighten myself, to mold myself using self-help techniques, and spiritualism that produces a person of the world who is acceptable and successful. Often these principles are taken from Gods' but no longer needed is the internal change and strength of character that God provides. If I clean up externally and fit in I am accepted. Deep change and private victories that require people to have the character that God desires are often over looked in the name of lesser principles. No longer do we desire personal growth, it is seen as a weakness, so we are taught implicitly to avoid change. No longer do we understand the concept of iron sharping iron.
There were two men of authority who came to Jesus. They both had a loved one who needed healing, both had faith that Jesus could heal. This is believing faith, such is good faith. Jesus met them at their level of faith but He marveled at the faith of the Roman soldier. This man said to Jesus, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed.2 Jesus is the author of faith, He was a dutiful servant of the Father. The religious leaders did not want to change, they wanted to stay with the status quo, so they put him under a microscope judging His every move so as to find fault in Him and his disciples. And they did find, based on traditions of men they condemned the son of God under the name of God's laws.
I often read stories of men of faith, the stories often speak of amazing answer to prayer. One managed an orphanage where God miraculously answered prayer, The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat... and the milkman broke down in front of the orphanage and the baker stayed up all night baking... Such is amazing of our God to provide and answer prayer. But what would happen if the milkman always broke down in front of the orphanage? would not a greater faith be in managing the orphanage well? George Mueller knew of such great faith, he called it the grace of faith. If he could do it and did it not to him it was a sin. He lived a life and lead a ministry in a way that proves God is real, God is trustworthy, God answers prayer.4 Mueller was an entrepreneur early in life, using his academic skills to make money by tutoring in Latin, French, and mathematics. Prayer is essential in operating to higher principles of God, to a great faith that engages people's mind, heart, soul, and strength, such is loving God.
Is it a coincidence that the man Jesus marveled at was a Centurion and that the first Gentile to receive Christ was also? I believe the faith of these men were strong because they had the mindset of a soldier, a dutiful servant. Paul used the Roman soldier often as examples of qualities that Christians should have. These qualities in a Christian are of a great faith, they include character, duty, loyalty, self-discipline, endurance... but these do not come easy, no it is a refining process. God will provide and prayers will be answered in faith but don't you think God is also saying, be my hands and feet, live out my principles? God chooses to use people to work the object of our prayer into existence. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest builds up these soldiers. Men and women of great faith, soldiers, scientists, engineers, managers, and leaders of organizations that put forth His principles. Those who go into all the world and those who provide seed, without which there would be no harvest. Great faith is to have the mindset of a dutiful servant; not mine but your will be done.
Won't You Be My Love
There is a story of a ship captain who is trying to communicate with what he believes to be a ship heading toward him. He commands the young man on the radio to change course. He states with authority, I am a battleship commander you will obey and change course. The response he receives is unexpected, I am a private first class and this is a lighthouse, you will change course. A commander of a Battleship of the United States of America would command much authority and respect on the seas but such authority will never move a lighthouse. God's principles are like lighthouses, our authority will never move His principles.Today many people operate to sensuality, not principles. This is often called personality ethics, which is much different than previous generations who operated to character ethics. Today I am to enlighten myself, to mold myself using self-help techniques, and spiritualism that produces a person of the world who is acceptable and successful. Often these principles are taken from Gods' but no longer needed is the internal change and strength of character that God provides. If I clean up externally and fit in I am accepted. Deep change and private victories that require people to have the character that God desires are often over looked in the name of lesser principles. No longer do we desire personal growth, it is seen as a weakness, so we are taught implicitly to avoid change. No longer do we understand the concept of iron sharping iron.
There were two men of authority who came to Jesus. They both had a loved one who needed healing, both had faith that Jesus could heal. This is believing faith, such is good faith. Jesus met them at their level of faith but He marveled at the faith of the Roman soldier. This man said to Jesus, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed.2 Jesus is the author of faith, He was a dutiful servant of the Father. The religious leaders did not want to change, they wanted to stay with the status quo, so they put him under a microscope judging His every move so as to find fault in Him and his disciples. And they did find, based on traditions of men they condemned the son of God under the name of God's laws.
I often read stories of men of faith, the stories often speak of amazing answer to prayer. One managed an orphanage where God miraculously answered prayer, The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat... and the milkman broke down in front of the orphanage and the baker stayed up all night baking... Such is amazing of our God to provide and answer prayer. But what would happen if the milkman always broke down in front of the orphanage? would not a greater faith be in managing the orphanage well? George Mueller knew of such great faith, he called it the grace of faith. If he could do it and did it not to him it was a sin. He lived a life and lead a ministry in a way that proves God is real, God is trustworthy, God answers prayer.4 Mueller was an entrepreneur early in life, using his academic skills to make money by tutoring in Latin, French, and mathematics. Prayer is essential in operating to higher principles of God, to a great faith that engages people's mind, heart, soul, and strength, such is loving God.
Is it a coincidence that the man Jesus marveled at was a Centurion and that the first Gentile to receive Christ was also? I believe the faith of these men were strong because they had the mindset of a soldier, a dutiful servant. Paul used the Roman soldier often as examples of qualities that Christians should have. These qualities in a Christian are of a great faith, they include character, duty, loyalty, self-discipline, endurance... but these do not come easy, no it is a refining process. God will provide and prayers will be answered in faith but don't you think God is also saying, be my hands and feet, live out my principles? God chooses to use people to work the object of our prayer into existence. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest builds up these soldiers. Men and women of great faith, soldiers, scientists, engineers, managers, and leaders of organizations that put forth His principles. Those who go into all the world and those who provide seed, without which there would be no harvest. Great faith is to have the mindset of a dutiful servant; not mine but your will be done.
Won't You Be My Love