"It is a great comfort to me to know that God has called me to my work putting me where I am. I have not sought this position, and I dare not leave it. He knows why He placed me here - whether to do, to learn, or suffer. Meanwhile, beware of the haste of the impatient, impetuous flesh, and of its' disappointments and weariness. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty in necessities, God has never failed me: the financial balance for the entire China Inland Mission yesterday was 25 cents. Praise the Lord! 25 cents ...plus all the promises of God." Hudson Taylor
And we thought we had financial problems! If you have never read the biography of Hudson Taylor and the story of the China Inland Mission, I encourage you to do so. Taylor firmly gripped two theological truths. One, he knew God had called him to the ministry of CIM. Because he was called, Taylor trusted God would also provide.
Second, Taylor also knew that he would battle his flesh when it came to doubting God’s provision. If you are like me, I struggle with the same feelings. I pray like Taylor, we would all be able to see all that God has given! 25 cents ...plus all the promises of God."
Thousands of years ago God made us a promise of a Savior. It all came to pass on Christmas Day. I pray that we would be reminded of God’s faithfulness this Christmas season
Monday, November 28, 2005
Monday, November 14, 2005
I was reading a selection from “Streams in the Desert” yesterday and thought about those of us in the fray on behalf of God everyday. When we said “yes” to God’s call to ministry what did we expect? That it would be easy?
Most of us experience the difficulty of being a follower and servant of Christ each day. I pray that through those difficulties we are made stronger and stronger in our faith, building in us a steely resolve to never quit. I pray that the hardships don’t build up bitterness as they often are prone to do.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --Phillips Brooks.
We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. These are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?
Most of us experience the difficulty of being a follower and servant of Christ each day. I pray that through those difficulties we are made stronger and stronger in our faith, building in us a steely resolve to never quit. I pray that the hardships don’t build up bitterness as they often are prone to do.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --Phillips Brooks.
We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. These are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?
Responding to Hard Times
I was reading a selection from “Streams in the Desert” yesterday and thought about those of us in the fray on behalf of God everyday. When we said “yes” to God’s call to ministry what did we expect? That it would be easy?
Most of us experience the difficulty of being a follower and servant of Christ each day. I pray that through those difficulties we are made stronger and stronger in our faith, building in us a steely resolve to never quit. I pray that the hardships don’t build up bitterness as they often are prone to do.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --Phillips Brooks.
We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. These are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?
Most of us experience the difficulty of being a follower and servant of Christ each day. I pray that through those difficulties we are made stronger and stronger in our faith, building in us a steely resolve to never quit. I pray that the hardships don’t build up bitterness as they often are prone to do.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --Phillips Brooks.
We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. These are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Ephesians 3:14-19. I often make it my prayer for my friends. I often pray it for my family and me. I pray we would understand and grasp more and more deeply the love of Christ for us. Paul prays that we would know this love that passes all knowledge. The love of God for us is beyond our comprehension, absent the Spirits intervention in the process. I pray the Spirit would convince us more and more of God’s love for us.
How would we live life differently if we were convinced of that love? How would our ministries look different? I am convinced that we would be transformed. With unconditional love comes freedom. Galatians 5:1 tells us it is for freedom that Christ set us free. Free to love Him without reservation. Free to pour our love into others without caution. Free to love the ones that hate us with reckless abandon. I can’t do any of those things. But as I allow the love of God for me to sink deeper into the depths of my soul, the easier it becomes.
As we begin to grasp how wide, high, deep and long the love of Christ is for us, the less we are bound by the opinions others have of us. As followers of Christ are we still allowing the world to judge us? Does it tell us we are not talented enough, pretty enough, rich enough, cool enough or enough of anything? It has no right to! The God of all creation says we are His princes and princesses! His unknowable love is made knowable so we can rest in it, wallow in it, baste in it, live in the reality of it 24/7. If we live in that reality, we will have the ability to do that which few have done.
Read Paul’s words below. I pray you would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God this day.
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power, through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Blessings,
Chris Buda
How would we live life differently if we were convinced of that love? How would our ministries look different? I am convinced that we would be transformed. With unconditional love comes freedom. Galatians 5:1 tells us it is for freedom that Christ set us free. Free to love Him without reservation. Free to pour our love into others without caution. Free to love the ones that hate us with reckless abandon. I can’t do any of those things. But as I allow the love of God for me to sink deeper into the depths of my soul, the easier it becomes.
As we begin to grasp how wide, high, deep and long the love of Christ is for us, the less we are bound by the opinions others have of us. As followers of Christ are we still allowing the world to judge us? Does it tell us we are not talented enough, pretty enough, rich enough, cool enough or enough of anything? It has no right to! The God of all creation says we are His princes and princesses! His unknowable love is made knowable so we can rest in it, wallow in it, baste in it, live in the reality of it 24/7. If we live in that reality, we will have the ability to do that which few have done.
Read Paul’s words below. I pray you would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God this day.
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power, through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Blessings,
Chris Buda
Lake Champion July 2005
The Buda family and friends at Lake Champion, our Young Life camp north of New York City. For more info on YOung Life check out www.younglife.org.
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