we can- pray throuh Operation World for lost nations in darkness, we can give money for Bibles to be sent, we can share the gospel and befriend international students and people from different countries here-

simply by living for Christ- even say in our life time we just lead one soul to the Master- that one person may end up being a missionay to say some other country- and plant a church their- that in turn… we make disciples who make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples….

as you mention ’small things’ I am reminded of that scripture- ‘Do not despise the day of small things’. My heart’s desire- is- ‘Make my life a prayer to YOU!’ Even if you really think of it ’small things’ aren’t too small when we do everything as unto to Him anyway- scrubbing toilets, preaching the gospel? Obviously not the same thing- one is of infinitely more value, but both things when done for Him please Him. It’s an amazing truth.
Thank you for your encouragment Lindsay, I guess my emphasis on being a doer and not just a hearer is being fueled just totally by what God is teaching me lately- the labourers are few as Jesus said, but that’s why He told us to pray for more- and that we’d be the answer to our prayers! I think so often we totally underestimate the greatness of our God- He wants to take us so much deeper than we’ve ever been before in our walk with Him- what it means to be obedient to Him- what it means to seek Him with all our hearts- to pant for Him as the deer pants for the water- His mercies really are ‘innumberable’ as the Scriptures say, but looking around sometimes it’s so easy to settle for mediocre living and walking in our Christian faith that perhaps isn’t really biblical- living that just blends in with the world around us- when we’re called to shine (Phil. 2, Matt5:16). Anyway, I should probably go to bed soon, but yeah haha thanks for the encouragement sister!

And Tricia, I’m keeping eye out for good books… hmm, I can’t remember what it’s called but there’s a missionary book series- heroes of the faith or something like that- for kids- hmmm I wonder if they have a kid’s version of Pilgrim’s Progress! haha I’m just reading that right now- really good. Thanks for your encouragement too! Balance is so key, and He is faithful to lead us, guide us, convict us, teach us. It really is a priviledge to approach boldly the throne of grace- that we can play with the skirts of the robe of our Heavenly Father- that we are invited to partake in such holy communion- that we are the dwelling place of Christ- that we dwell in Him- that we are one with Him! amazing indeed, blessed we are- all one can really say is WOW! haha

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the powerthat works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21.
p.s Thanks guys! Praise God!

I loved reading your thoughts. I agree that full surrender to God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, is “it”. Books, conferences, etc. should be used to inspire…but all things in moderation…even those. When we are living surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and intentionally and passionately lining up our lives to His Word through His power, He will bring that balance. Our motivation needs to truly be to love Him with our entire being, to glorify only Him with our lives, and to allow Him to use us as His Kingdom Builders! The Christian life is really simple, but that doesn’t mean easy. It’s not always an easy thing to turn our sinful wills over to Him. We can only do that in His power. It’s all about our hearts, what and Who we choose to love. Second by second, taking our thoughts captive and choosing to serve Him, to know Him, to glorify Him… We are so blessed to be His children!!!

Sincerely in Christ,
Tricia

LUKE, thanks for your reply! I’m so glad God could use what I had to say! I’m sorry I hadn’t checked this part of the blog after awhile. Those verses you shared are really true. More I’ve been thinking of-

2nd Tim. 3:7- describing how world will be in end times- “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”.

In a way- even as professing Christians we can have this same attitute- deceiving ourselves in thinking we are living the Christian life by reading about it by people who have lived it- even becoming addicted to reading and reading Christian books- to make up for our lives that may be lacking true godliness and fruit.

Just lately I was at a BIble study and we were watching a video where the speaker was talking about livng a set-apart life for Christ- and how even if we say talked about and read all the books- the great biographies of missionaries, etc- God wants to walk with Him- He wants to write the story of our life! Though these other books- if they are biblical are of course good and edifying and amazing and encouraging, etc- we can’t be living our Christian experience through them- and there is that temptation- as there is with a preacher, a conference, a Bible college, a missions trip, a book, etc- to depend on ‘that’ as to ‘boost our Christian experience’ when the only real truth per say- is truth lived out.

So often here in N.A. we’re going from conference to conference, book to book, concert to concert, (and some really good conferences, books, and amazingly God-glorifying concerts etc) but so many are using these things to try to keep their faith going on some sort of ’spiritual high’ when if we really want the key to knowing God more intimately- the key to walking in His power, having joy in Him, etc, etc- that key is simply obedience to His Word!

In Matthew 23:3 Jesus’ instruction is interesting- observe what the Pharisees and scribes are saying to do- obeying God’s law etc, but do not do what the Pharisess and scribes themselves are actually doing- for they say, and do not do!

1st Cor. 4:20 says that God’s Kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power. I was trying to look for it- but I think there’s some Spurgeon quote that talks about- in regards to evangelism, but I believe this can be applied to obedience in general-

about how the more one talks of evangelism the least likely they will actually evangelize! Interesting, eh? I believe that people obviously talk about what they are passionate about- so talking about evangelism is definitely not wrong- but if you talk, perhaps more than you walk- there is a great danger there.

Anyway, it’s so easy you know to say you’re crazy about Jesus- you wear the shirt, you have the bumper sticker, you read the books, you listen to the latest Christian cds, you’re a leader in youth group say, etc, etc- but do we really know Him? Admidst all this reading- if we separate it from applying- from obeying- how can we profess to follow Him? How do we know Him- if not in the power of His ressurection, and the fellowship of His sufferings- aka, dying to self? Phil. 3:7-11.

It’s crazy how we can read these so moving Christian biographies- or devotional books- where the people who wrote them- it took them a life time to learn those lessons in the book we read in a couple of weeks- and then we move on to something else? Lately I’ve been thinking- wow! what a tremendous responsibily as Christians we have especially here- knowing as much as know- we can defintiely never say we never knew… of the thousands dying without the gospel, the unreached people groups, our suffering brothers and sisters…

Especially here in N.A. I think we often are attracted and pulled into the ‘easy way’. If we can draw closer to God, overcome difficulties, etc, through reading a book we will choose that way- over say the way of enduring trials with our Lord, waiting on Him, prevailing in prayer, etc.

Not saying books can’t bring us closer to God, or help us overcome difficulties- but as people constantly being tempted to be lazy- it’s so easy to view that new book in a greedy sort of way- we have to have it- “there’s no price tag we should ever put on our relationship with God” we say- hoping this book will solve the issues- when God is the ultimate only one who can and will. I think a price tag should be put on how much we spend for ouselves with God’s money- even to further our walk with Him- in the light of the fact that so many don’t have- and are waiting for Bibles- what about Heb. 13:3, and the example of Moses in Heb. 11? Often the giving of money by faith towards missions, tithing in the church, etc- God wants to use those very acts of obedience to draw one closer to Him!

Anyway, maybe I’m just rambling again haha.Here is a quote I’ve read-
“It is dangerous to learn truth faster than we can live it.”- a chinese itinerant evangelist.

I read also a quote by Open Doors- how the Bible may very well be- the least-read best- seller in the world, or at least the least-lived.

Anyway, more food for thought! haha Okay anyway, thanks Luke, and Emily (above) I love Eric and Leslie books! I’m in the midst of reading one read now- “Set Apart Femininity!” so good! By God’s grace I want to truly be set apart for Him!

“What is the secret to great living? Entire separationg to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts.” - Amy Carmichael

The good thing is, Luke, and whoever is reading this :)- if we truly have been regenerated by Christ- He will produce that fruit in us- we won’t just read and read- we’ll do! He works in us to “will and to do!” according to His great purpose! We won’t be like the character “Talkative” in Pilgrim’s Progress- and the reading we will do of other books will be perhaps hopefully because we’re hungering and consumed with Christ and want to hear and be encouraged by other Christians who have walked and are walking the narrow road!

We humbly understand we need from older, wiser Christians who have gone before us, and perhaps seek role models in authors and historical characters- such as Jonathan Edwards, Gladlys Awylward, etc. Reading is such a good thing- but like anything- it must be done in a way that is glorifying to God! haha I think if I ever wrote a book it would be on how to read a book, haha except I’m not sure I know how to yet, I have so much to learn! I want so much to be living a truly completely obedient life, but so terribly incredibly fall short… well, anyway all for now, feedback appreciated!

in Christ.

~MizB