Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
2 Corinthians 8:5, “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
Willingness is a barometer of our real state with the Lord and with the Body.
In 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 Paul refers to the willingness of the churches of Macedonia: “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
Paul says that the believers freely, willingly, gave.
Their willingness was an indication that their relationship with the Lord was fresh and their relationship to the Body was real and genuine.
This shows us that a lack of willingness, a closed life, a self-centered life, a tight-fisted life, indicates a deficiency in our relationship with the Lord and with the Body.
Many times when there has been an urgent need, I have known in my spirit immediately who I could call.
Some saints are available at a moment’s notice.
They are ready for anything, without hesitating, without calculating.
I do not mean that there are not legitimate circumstances that may prevent us from being able to meet a need.
But the point is, are we willing?
Do we have relationships with one another in this kind of way?
Such willingness indicates the health of our relationship with the Lord and with the Body.
When you see your lack of willingness, what do you do?
You say, “Wretched man that I am.
But Lord, grow in me.
Thank You for Your life in me.
I lay my hand on You as the burnt offering.
You are the willing One.
So Lord, transmit Your kind of life into me.”
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Linda Alexander
Marlon Cook
Nora Allison
Rose Fuller
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Faith Burnette
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Andrew Halevi & Daughter
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Brandon’s Dad
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison – Riverside
Deanna Fowler
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Easton Fielder
Ed Mays
Eric Ward
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Miles Bradshaw
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Susan & Alexis Tesone
Tom Witcher