Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
SUMMER CLASSES BEGIN TONIGHT
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
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Amy Garner’s Dad
Charlene Palmer
Dr. Don Davis – Surgery Friday
Freddie May’s Mom
John McClain
Rose Fuller
Tom Witcher
Ann Sullivan – Paula’s Friend
Bentley Smith
James Garner’s Friend
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lonzo Christian
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Bill Moody
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace
Kenny & Nora Allison
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Rod Gustafson – Cancer
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmon’s Cousin
Tammy Shellnut’s Mother/Dad