"But the priests the Levites... shall come near to me to minister unto me." - Ezekiel 44:15
One condition basic to all that can truly be called ministry to the Lord is that we draw near to Him. He desires our worship; yet how hard we find it to drag ourselves into His presence! We shrink from the solitude, and even when we do detach ourselves physically from outside things, we find our thoughts wandering back to them. Many of us can enjoy working among people in the outer court, but how many of us give time to draw near to God in the Holy Place?
To come into His presence and wait upon Him demands all the determination we possess, and even means that we may have to be violent with ourselves. But let me be frank with you; it is impossible to stand afar and yet minister to Him. You cannot serve God from a distance. In the outer court, quite rightly, you approach people; in the Holy Place you approach the Lord. Come nearer, It is your priviledge.
The Joyful Heart (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Ezekiel 44
Showing posts with label draw near to God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label draw near to God. Show all posts
Monday, November 05, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
Butter and Honey
"Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." - Isaiah 7:15
Our Lord had butter and honey; therefore, He could choose the good and refuse the evil. It requires great power to be obedient! If God does not fill your heart first, you will not succeed, no matter how you try externally. We need to learn to draw near to God daily and receive from heaven both butter and honey (the grace and love of God), so that day by day we may live on earth choosing the good and refusing the evil.
I speak to you today in this manner because I have a deep sense within me that the return of the Lord is imminent and that the kingdom is at hand. Henceforth, temptations will be greater, dangers will be multiplied, and deceptions will be deepened. Oh do let us notice one thing: that no matter what is placed before us, we shall be able to choose with singleness of heart only because we have received the heavenly butter and honey.
The Lord My Portion (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Isaiah 7
Our Lord had butter and honey; therefore, He could choose the good and refuse the evil. It requires great power to be obedient! If God does not fill your heart first, you will not succeed, no matter how you try externally. We need to learn to draw near to God daily and receive from heaven both butter and honey (the grace and love of God), so that day by day we may live on earth choosing the good and refusing the evil.
I speak to you today in this manner because I have a deep sense within me that the return of the Lord is imminent and that the kingdom is at hand. Henceforth, temptations will be greater, dangers will be multiplied, and deceptions will be deepened. Oh do let us notice one thing: that no matter what is placed before us, we shall be able to choose with singleness of heart only because we have received the heavenly butter and honey.
The Lord My Portion (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Isaiah 7
Monday, February 26, 2007
Drawn by Christ
"Draw me; we will run after Thee." - Song of Songs 1:4
Our spiritual energy in following Christ springs from more than inward impulse, even by the indwelling Spirit. It results rather from some power drawing us to Him as the Spirit makes Him more real and precious to us through the Word. Far beyond our experience, we are given new revelations of the beauty and majesty of our Lord, and as a consequence are pulled by an irresistible longing to approach ever closer to Him.
Notice the effect that such a devoted following of Christ has upon others. It is I who am drawn, but is we who run after Him. In other words, there is something contagious and inspiring about a Christ-dominated life. What a privilege to be so drawn by His love that we influence others to run after the Lord in pursuit of their own closer walk with Him!
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Song of Songs 1
Our spiritual energy in following Christ springs from more than inward impulse, even by the indwelling Spirit. It results rather from some power drawing us to Him as the Spirit makes Him more real and precious to us through the Word. Far beyond our experience, we are given new revelations of the beauty and majesty of our Lord, and as a consequence are pulled by an irresistible longing to approach ever closer to Him.
Notice the effect that such a devoted following of Christ has upon others. It is I who am drawn, but is we who run after Him. In other words, there is something contagious and inspiring about a Christ-dominated life. What a privilege to be so drawn by His love that we influence others to run after the Lord in pursuit of their own closer walk with Him!
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Song of Songs 1
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