The Commission of the Call

by Oswalt Chambers

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake." Colossians 1:24

"We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with a pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say - "Here am I, send me."

This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.

I wonder what kind of finger and thumb God has been using to squeeze you, and you have been like a marble and escaped? You are not ripe yet, and if God had squeezed you, the wine would have been remarkably bitter. To be a sacramental personality means that the elements of the natural life are presenced by God as they are broken providentially in His service. We have to be adjusted into God before we can be broken bread in His hands. Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children."

Grace: Available to All Who Believe

-from David Jeremiah's Captured by Grace (page 36)

"...to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." -Romans 3:22-23

"Key word: all. That is one immense three-letter word, for it measures the width of God's grace and the height of His love. God's net is as large as the number of people who are willing to fall into its safety. No one is outside the scope of His grace. There are no distinctions within the nation of the sinful, no pecking order within the league of the elect.

There are indeed degrees of sin. A jaywalker receives a lighter sentence than a murderer. But all of that is earthly reckoning - nit-picking by the standard of heaven. Because a millionth of a molecule of sin contaminates a soul, all are found guilty. And because grace cleanses us from sin just as absolutely, we find ourselves standing at the throne of grace without any human ranks or measurements. We are equally pure and clean before God. You and the apostle Paul will stand together, equally rightious in God's sight. The Father will look upon each of you and see only the purity of His own Son."

Sacred Heart of Jesus

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." -Colossians 3:15 NASB

The world is in the midst of a storm right now. It is hard to believe all the changes and shifting currents. Praise the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the gift of peace in our hearts! There is no greater treasure than this.

I love you.

-Daddy

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:27 NASB

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:4-7 NASB

Everything Is Gonna Be Alright...Right?

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 NASB

Mommy and I have been having more troubles than usual these last few weeks. Our financial situation is not going well, Mommy has been having bad "morning" (all day and night) sickness and allergies, and I have been having a difficult time coping with several things.

I want to be a good provider and give you, Mommy and the new baby everything..to be able to offer you wonderful experiences and opportunities that will last a lifetime. When you finally read this, I hope and pray that you are living your dreams. If you are in the midst of difficulty, remember to call on Jesus each day in prayer, wait upon Him, and know that He will help you to overcome all obstacles in due time. Have faith.

You are such a bright shining light in my life. When I come home from work you always greet me with a big smile, a running hug, or a funny conversation. You make me so happy!

I love you.

-Daddy

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." -Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV