August 30, 2017
SO THAT
We have a lot of ""SO THAT"" places in our life.
""I go to the gym, SO THAT, I can stay in shape.""
""I get up and go to work SO THAT I can do my job well and provide for my family.""
""I read my Bible SO THAT I can encounter God and hear from Him.""
Paul the Apostle was a SO THAT man. For instance ...
""... always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, SO THAT the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body"" (2 Corinthians 4:10).
THE TRADE-OFF
There's always a cost in order to see a result. A price to be paid to purchase something of greater value. Paul was convinced that the most important attainment for him and his ministry to others was the ""life of Jesus manifested in my body."" He wanted this above all else, for he knew that the power of ministry depended on the presence of Christ.
For that Divine power to be in Him and flowing through Him, he was willing to die to anything. Anything that would abort God's presence. Anything that would marginalize Jesus and magnify him (Paul). Anything that indulged the man will ignoring the Master.
I wonder if I am a SO THAT MAN yet? If I so value the presence of power of Christ in my life that I am willing to pay any price? If it could be written of me, ""He was daily dying to himself SO THAT the life of Jesus would be visible and attainable through His life.""
February 18, 2025
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
February 17, 2025
The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”
February 12, 2025
Repentance helps us. Repentance heals us. Repentance restores us and refreshes us. And these are all the outcomes a loving Father desires for His children.