"But I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." (Philippians 1:23, 24)
On December 9, 1740, David Brainard, a missionary among the American Indians, wrote in his diary: "Oh! one hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures and delights of this lower world." He was found dead in his tent, on his knees, at the age of 29. He was now in the "Higher World." For Brainard, "the best was yet to come." Two centuries later, Sinatra sang a song by that title, but it was just full of self indulgence. In our text, Paul also says that the "best is yet to come"------ "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." And His next statement, "Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you," was no ego statement as so many have thought. It was the attitude of a true servant, serving while waiting for the, "far better."
Here is the problem. So much "burn out," so much discouragement which overwhelms Believers today is the direct result of a life driven by the, "needful for you," rather than the, "far better." A suggestion--- Let everything you do be motivated by the reality that some day you will "depart to be with Christ," rather than some day you'll be another famous preacher, or another Beth Moore, or have a bigger church, or get more "opportunities to minister," or, well, you know those "needful" trappings of religion. This is the way I saw my Dad live as a pastor, and Grandfather live
as a railroad engineer, and both later as retirees. They were the best soul winners I ever knew, "needful for you," people, but always driven by the, "far better."
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be a, "needful for you," servant, motivated by the, "far better"--------- You, in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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* Real News of a Prophetic Nature: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
* I will be attending the Dinner with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Sunday evening, May 3.
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
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