JohnRoney.com

Posts Tagged ‘Christian servant-leaders’

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. – Philippians 3:7

George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his conversion experience he commented,

“I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!” [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and Miracles (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]

Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to go hiking with Joshua. Please help me get to the place where I know I need nothing because in you I have everything. I gave my life to you, but you know I have a tendency to backslide and be weak. Please convict my heart to serve you and make me a soul winner for you. Please give me compassion for others.

I am so grateful to be going through your word in such detail, Lord God. =) I delight myself in you. Read the rest of this entry »

“I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look up, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fact, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, stored up, and stayed up the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.” -American Christian Martyr

God, I believe you are using circumstances and events to move me into a place of patient waiting as you put me in the place you desire for me. Help my soul too much for, my faith to grow, my life to be more purer and dedicated to you. James 1:2–4 tells me, “Count it all joy. When you fall into the various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, but you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Lord, I praise you in the midst of it all – my special trials and daily challenges – knowing that I must learn to be patient and content as I wait upon you. Thank you for being with me through every trial, every day. In Jesus name I pray, amen. Read the rest of this entry »