Outreach

Wednesday, August 11, 2010  by Gary and Peg Meeks

THE GRATEFUL EXCHANGE

What are you giving in exchange for your soul?  I read Mark 8:37 recently and wondered myself what I have given in exchange for my soul.  If we are in Christ, our soul has been given back to God.  Those of us who have been through the fire of habitual sin and have seen Jesus bring us out, have been given a great gift.  It’s not that common.  It’s really not even that popular. 

So, my question is: what are you giving in exchange for that….you know, the fact that your soul has been found again?  What is that worth to you?  Are you giving back to those whom God used to extract you from your old life?  Are you laying your life down for others who are right now tasting the same situation you wallowed in?  Are you one of those that God has ‘done a work in’ yet have moved on from that ‘phase of your life’ and don’t want to mingle in that world anymore? 

Did God REALLY do a work in your life then?  Over the years since Pure Life, God has seen fit to give us opportunities to serve through Pure Life and through our church.  Once you start looking, it doesn’t take that long for you to see a jumping in point.  But, you have to start looking.  We have had to realize in our own lives that God has given us something to give away. 

There are many times when it is easy to get tired of it, weary of the work or just plain numb to other’s needs.  But, He always sends us back to 2003 and when we went through the programs.  Fresh reminders of our desperation, need and how lacking we were and still are.  So, right now, at this very minute, you are likely surrounded by ‘broad way-minded people’.  What are you doing to help them be narrow(way)-minded?  Are you aloof to the needs of others?  How grateful are you? 

We invite you to jump in.  We invite you to look around you.  God never intends to give us something for ourselves.  He gives it so we give it away.  It is what we give in exchange for what He’s done for us.  Don’t get me wrong.  We don’t buy what he’s done for us.  But the proof of what he’s really done for us is shown in whether we give it to others or not.  A couple verses up from Mark 8:37 reads: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.”  Pretty clear cut isn’t it?  Jesus is not one to mince words. 

So, as you have received from God through others, allow God to give to other through you.  It is the mark of a grateful and mercying heart.  We would not get to do what we do or say what we say unless others exchanged their lives for us.  We are living testimonies of many that have poured into us what God has poured into them.  That’s God’s economy.  So, exchange your life.  The world is waiting.  Jesus is waiting.

Posted on Wed., Aug. 11, 2010 - Permalink | RSS

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Monday, June 21, 2010  by Gary and Peg Meeks

EYES FIXED ON HIM

I am tempted to fix my eyes on lots of things.  I don’t necessarily mean all bad stuff.  But, in pursuing Christ, we often get misconstrued as to what we should focus on.  I believe evidence shows and Scripture supports that when we are pressing into Him, then a ways down the road we’ll see change.  The things and behaviors that described us in the beginning of our pursuit will not describe us down the road. 

In other words, there’s a day coming when our struggles look completely different and the things that captivated us no longer will.  There’s a day coming when you’ll wake up and realize all that God has done in you.  You’ll notice that temptations have waned.  You’ll notice that the things that occupy your heart no longer do; they have been replaced by God with better, intangible, imperishable things. 

But, here’s the deal.  To get there, we don’t focus on the ‘day’.  We don’t even focus on the process.  Hebrews 12: 1, 2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, who not only began and authored our faith, but is the finisher.  He knows how to finish our faith.  He knows how to complete the work He began in us (Phil. 1:6).  And even more, He’s the only one who knows how to do this.  He’s not one of several finishers that are each good options.  He is the Finisher.   I am not.  My pastors are not the finishers of my faith.  Neither is my family.  Jesus knows how to finish our faith. 

And, furthermore, He does it in His own timing.  As we seek Him, He knows exactly when to change this, or change that.  He knows the perfect moment that the little tweak of our heart’s longings take place.  So, keep your eyes on HIM.  Keep your eyes ‘fixed’ on Him.  Unwavering.  No turning to the left or right.  Fixed.  Cemented.  Securely locked in …on Him.  He will finish your faith. 

One last thought…to fix our eyes completely on Him means we must unfix our eyes on ourselves, on doctrine, on marriage, church, ministry, service, children, our jobs and even how much time we’re spending with Him.  We must unfix our eyes on our temptations, our progress, our struggles, trials and our failures.  We can’t have our eyes fixed on all these things, which is usually typical, and have them fixed on Jesus.  Will you turn your gaze unto Him and keep it there?  Let’s make sure our eyes are kept on Him so we can be kept by Him.

Posted on Mon., Jun. 21, 2010 - Permalink | RSS

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010  by Gary and Peg Meeks

GOD IN THE CORNER

Most of us get a great deal of help in this ‘pilgrim’s progress’ when we get a glimpse of what God is doing.  It helps to get someone else’s perspective…someone that sees God’s hand a bit differently than we do.  We can be in the throws of trial, knee deep in suffering or just at a dry spot in our walks with Christ, then someone else throws in a perspective that makes us breathe a bit easier.  But, I think we are most helped when we not only see what God is doing, but we also see ‘where He is.’ 

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be cornered by God.  As a Pure Life’er, you know what I mean.  You don’t come to Pure Life unless you’ve been cornered by Him.  I have been thinking about all the times in my life that He has cornered me, and how He is still doing this.  Probably the most meaningful moments in my walk have been when He has me in the corner, unable to move unless I run into Him.  Many of you are there today.  Maybe life’s circumstance has not delivered the promise you preferred.  Maybe your family is not so thrilled with your newly found ‘narrow-way’ mindset.  Maybe the blessings of walking with Christ do not look like you thought they would.  Maybe ‘Victory’ seems aloof from your agenda. Maybe life seems a bit harder now that you are seeking Him. 

Feeling cornered?  Would it help you to know that God is in the corner with you?  This reminds me of Psalm 63. David…in the wilderness… hotly pursued by Saul.  If you read it, he uses ‘being cornered’ language.  Yet, in the midst of the king hating him, being without food and drink and sufficient housing, he claims that his soul will be ‘satisfied as with fat and rich food, and his mouth will praise God with joyful lips.’  That doesn’t sound like my response when I’m cornered.  How about yours?  Yet, David realizes that it isn’t Saul that has cornered him, but it is God Himself.  David knows that God is in the corner with him.  Why else would he bless God as long as he lives?  Why else would he lift up his hands and have a soul that thirsts for the Living God? 

As we trudge along this path, we’ve got to keep our eyes not on what is going on, but Who is with us along the way.  Will you remember, along with me, that God handcrafts what He wants to do in us and sometimes it means being in the corner?  I’m not a fan of the sport of boxing, but one thing I can learn from it is this:  If I go out swinging and fighting and haven’t done due time in the corner, listening to the One who teaches me how to fight, then I am no good in the ring.  I need ‘corner time’.  If I get this…if we get this, we move from just tolerating the corner and trying to get through it…..to being grateful for the corner and embracing it.  Then, and only then, can we understand what it means to ‘behold your power and glory’(Psalm 63:2).

To Adam and Shelly Gardner: Much appreciation and thanks to you from the Staff of Pure Life Ministries and from readers of this site for the hours and words you have poured over the last year to deliver support and encouragement to weak, needy and desperate saints that often need to have our compasses calibrated as we travel to the Celestial City.  Bless you and your family.

Posted on Wed., May. 12, 2010 - Permalink | RSS

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