Thought for Today
"Abandonment of self-centeredness is the triumph of trusting Christ in our lives." - Brennan Manning
Straight For That Voice (By Ron Hutchcraft) (John 8:28-29)
I was speaking at a church in the new area where our ministry has moved, and in the process, I was introducing some of our staff and our family. I started with my wife - after all, none of the children would have been possible without her. And then I was starting to introduce our daughter and son-in-law and our family treasure, 18-month old grandson Jordan. I saw them standing at the back of the church. Now, while I was talking about them, I suddenly noticed a little head bobbing along past the tops of the pews, and I thought I recognized those curls.
It quickly became apparent to me - and then to everyone in the church - that little Jordan was on his way to where his grandfather was. Oh, that big choir up in front...they didn't phase him. All those big people in the pews...they didn't phase him. His father's pursuit didn't phase him. He marched up that aisle like a man on a mission . . . climbed laboriously up the three steps to the platform . . . and he walked right up to the pulpit. I picked him up, whispered that I love him, and he was satisfied. Then - and only then - was he willing to go with his Daddy back to where they were. Later my daughter said, "Dad, from the time he heard your voice, there was no stopping him. Getting to that voice was all that mattered!"
Now, there were lots of people in that sanctuary right then - but only one as far as Jordan was concerned. He heard my voice - and he was totally focused on being where I was. That's how I want to be with the Lord I say I'm following. It's how He wants all of us to be.
Jesus models this magnificent obsession in our word for today from the Word of God in John 8:28-29. He says, "...I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught Me . . . He that sent Me is with Me . . . for I do always those things that please Him." See, there was just one voice that mattered to Jesus, one person's approval - His Father's. There was never a decision about "which voice should I listen to? Who should I make happy?" The only question was - "What's my Father saying? What does my Father want?" That settled it.
The Apostle Paul was a man who went straight for one voice - and He showed us the way to simplify and clarify thousands of daily choices we make. In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?" Paul's saying, "There's a lot of people in this room - but only one Voice I care about." Listen to his bottom line: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." He knew it was a choice - please Jesus or please people. It still is a choice.
I saw in my grandson that morning in church a determination to respond to one voice and only one. He walked by all kinds of people . . . he walked toward things that otherwise would have probably intimidated him - because he wanted to be wherever that Voice was. That is a beautiful picture of what it means to belong to Jesus Christ . . . to really be a follower of Jesus. All that matters to you is what He's saying . . . where He's going . . . what will make Him happy. Once you know that, you know what to do, and you know where to go.
Has someone else's voice become more important to you than your Savior's voice? Has someone else's approval crowded out His? Has the crowd distracted you or kept you from being where His Voice is? Remember what your Shepherd said: "My sheep hear My voice . . . and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
Sound like the type of relationship you've been looking for? Find out more about how this relationship with God can be Yours for Life! If you're not sure you belong to Jesus Christ, and you'd like to make sure, check out YOURS FOR LIFE at: http://www.hutchcraft.com/yours/
[Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. Permission to reproduce this material is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, will not be sold, and will be distributed for the sole purpose of expanding the Gospel.]
My Comments: So often we do seek the approval of others instead of seeking Him. I have been so distracted from God’s voice for so long; it is becoming quite obvious that I must change. The problem is knowing that I can’t change and must yield my life to the Lord and allow Him to change me.
"Abandonment of self-centeredness is the triumph of trusting Christ in our lives." - Brennan Manning
Straight For That Voice (By Ron Hutchcraft) (John 8:28-29)
I was speaking at a church in the new area where our ministry has moved, and in the process, I was introducing some of our staff and our family. I started with my wife - after all, none of the children would have been possible without her. And then I was starting to introduce our daughter and son-in-law and our family treasure, 18-month old grandson Jordan. I saw them standing at the back of the church. Now, while I was talking about them, I suddenly noticed a little head bobbing along past the tops of the pews, and I thought I recognized those curls.
It quickly became apparent to me - and then to everyone in the church - that little Jordan was on his way to where his grandfather was. Oh, that big choir up in front...they didn't phase him. All those big people in the pews...they didn't phase him. His father's pursuit didn't phase him. He marched up that aisle like a man on a mission . . . climbed laboriously up the three steps to the platform . . . and he walked right up to the pulpit. I picked him up, whispered that I love him, and he was satisfied. Then - and only then - was he willing to go with his Daddy back to where they were. Later my daughter said, "Dad, from the time he heard your voice, there was no stopping him. Getting to that voice was all that mattered!"
Now, there were lots of people in that sanctuary right then - but only one as far as Jordan was concerned. He heard my voice - and he was totally focused on being where I was. That's how I want to be with the Lord I say I'm following. It's how He wants all of us to be.
Jesus models this magnificent obsession in our word for today from the Word of God in John 8:28-29. He says, "...I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught Me . . . He that sent Me is with Me . . . for I do always those things that please Him." See, there was just one voice that mattered to Jesus, one person's approval - His Father's. There was never a decision about "which voice should I listen to? Who should I make happy?" The only question was - "What's my Father saying? What does my Father want?" That settled it.
The Apostle Paul was a man who went straight for one voice - and He showed us the way to simplify and clarify thousands of daily choices we make. In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?" Paul's saying, "There's a lot of people in this room - but only one Voice I care about." Listen to his bottom line: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." He knew it was a choice - please Jesus or please people. It still is a choice.
I saw in my grandson that morning in church a determination to respond to one voice and only one. He walked by all kinds of people . . . he walked toward things that otherwise would have probably intimidated him - because he wanted to be wherever that Voice was. That is a beautiful picture of what it means to belong to Jesus Christ . . . to really be a follower of Jesus. All that matters to you is what He's saying . . . where He's going . . . what will make Him happy. Once you know that, you know what to do, and you know where to go.
Has someone else's voice become more important to you than your Savior's voice? Has someone else's approval crowded out His? Has the crowd distracted you or kept you from being where His Voice is? Remember what your Shepherd said: "My sheep hear My voice . . . and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
Sound like the type of relationship you've been looking for? Find out more about how this relationship with God can be Yours for Life! If you're not sure you belong to Jesus Christ, and you'd like to make sure, check out YOURS FOR LIFE at: http://www.hutchcraft.com/yours/
[Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. Permission to reproduce this material is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, will not be sold, and will be distributed for the sole purpose of expanding the Gospel.]
My Comments: So often we do seek the approval of others instead of seeking Him. I have been so distracted from God’s voice for so long; it is becoming quite obvious that I must change. The problem is knowing that I can’t change and must yield my life to the Lord and allow Him to change me.
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