Sparks devotional

[jiggyfly]

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. (John 5:39 NIV)

Ministry is the expression of Life, and not the taking on of a uniform and a title. Once I thought that to be in the ministry was to go into a certain kind of work, to come out of business, and, well, be a minister! So one got into the thing. Many, many are laboring and toiling in it, breaking their hearts, afraid to leave that order of things, lest they should be violating what they conceived to be a Divine call. Many others cannot get out of it because it is a means of livelihood, and they too are breaking their hearts. It is all false. Ministry is not a system like that. Ministry is the expression of Life, and that is but saying in other words that it is the outworking of the indwelling of Christ. Disaster lies before the man or woman who ministers on any other ground than that. When the Lord gets a chance in us, and we really will trust Him on that ground and take our position there, He will show us that there is ministry enough for us; we shall not hav e to go round looking for it. The real labor so often is to get us down to that ground, the delivering of us from this present evil age even in its conception of the ministry, unto the heavenly ministry.

The Lord Jesus is our pattern. You see the spontaneous ministry, the restful ministry of that Heavenly Man. I covet that! It does not mean that we shall become careless, but it does deliver us from so much unnecessary strain. That is how it should be. May the Lord bring us to it; the heavenly Man with the heavenly Life as the full heavenly Resource.


By T. Austin-Sparks from: All Things in Christ - Chapter 7

 

[DHC]

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. (John 5:39 NIV)

Ministry is the expression of Life, and not the taking on of a uniform and a title. Once I thought that to be in the ministry was to go into a certain kind of work, to come out of business, and, well, be a minister! So one got into the thing. Many, many are laboring and toiling in it, breaking their hearts, afraid to leave that order of things, lest they should be violating what they conceived to be a Divine call. Many others cannot get out of it because it is a means of livelihood, and they too are breaking their hearts. It is all false. Ministry is not a system like that. Ministry is the expression of Life, and that is but saying in other words that it is the outworking of the indwelling of Christ. Disaster lies before the man or woman who ministers on any other ground than that. When the Lord gets a chance in us, and we really will trust Him on that ground and take our position there, He will show us that there is ministry enough for us; we shall not hav e to go round looking for it. The real labor so often is to get us down to that ground, the delivering of us from this present evil age even in its conception of the ministry, unto the heavenly ministry.

The Lord Jesus is our pattern. You see the spontaneous ministry, the restful ministry of that Heavenly Man. I covet that! It does not mean that we shall become careless, but it does deliver us from so much unnecessary strain. That is how it should be. May the Lord bring us to it; the heavenly Man with the heavenly Life as the full heavenly Resource.


By T. Austin-Sparks from: All Things in Christ - Chapter 7

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

New Life, New Creation, Joy and Peace in The Holy Spirit.

Thanks JiggyFly.

 

[Coconut]

The Lord Jesus is our pattern.

A Cautionary Tale: The Cassock

A missionary Orthodox priest serving in a remote part of India had a cassock that was torn and old with patches because it had been repaired so many times. Knowing that he could not afford to send away for one he decided to ask a local tailor to make him a new cassock with a roll of material that had been given to him by a parishioner. The Indian tailor was sent for and agreed to make the cassock but admitted that he had never made such a vestment and that he would require a pattern.

"I know what I will do" said the priest," I will let you have my old cassock if you can make it before Sunday. "

The Indian tailor thought that this was an excellent idea. Picking up the old cassock and the roll of material he left. Four days later he arrived at the priest's house with a large smile and a package under his arm.

" I have made your cassock."

The Indian tailor carefully unfolded the cassock for the priest to examine. The priest's delight turned to dismay when he saw what was before him. The new cassock had patches on the elbows, a tear by the pocket, buttons missing and darns on the cuffs, just like the old one.

"What have you done?" shouted the priest. "You've ruined my holy garment! What possessed you to do this?"

"But sir," protested the tailor," I carefully copied the pattern of the cassock you gave to me."

-------

Profound story huh

That cassock which is flesh is flesh, that cassock which is Spirit is Spirit. The Spirit "Life" can be imitated, but never duplicated...whew!

The pattern we are using eventually shows itself for what we were working with ...the human pattern always produces a 'work' that has 'patches on the elbows, a tear by the pocket, buttons missing and darns on the cuffs, just like the old one....'

Oh but when we throw our hand up in the air and say 'I got all this new material to work with (a new degree, a new certificate of ordination, a new pulpit, a new script) but all I seem to be able to produce is something shabby at best...and I simply cannot produce any spiritual life in these people !" ...and you throw yourself down in the prayer closet, weeping and sobbing at all the holes in your cassock...and plead with the Spirit to come bring these people HIS garment...AH....now Mr Minister you are touching the garment that gives "LIFE"...

Except the LORD is the pattern (builds the house) they labor in vain that attempt to build it...