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God Is At Work in You
From Psalm 15: 1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
I do love reading The Message Version of the Bible from time to time, especially the psalms when I think their interpretation might add some deeper or clearer meaning. The 15th psalm from that version reads:
1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? 2 "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. 3 "Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; 4 despise the despicable. "Keep your word even when it costs you, 5 make an honest living, never take a bribe. "You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."
The Psalmist desired the closest relationship he could get to God. In his day to be invited into someone's tent was the best relationship one could have. In our day it's to be invited to dinner at someone's home. To be on a guest list is considered a great honor. But it is on God's guest list and God's dinner table that we should strive for. The Message answers in plain language: Live right! Tell the truth, be honest in all your dealings; stay away from those things that are not from God; be an example for others of what a life lived in God is all about.
As the Methodist movement began in England, the question was being raised about what it was all about. We find this answer from John Wesley: (In the "Large" Minutes, John Wesley summarized his understanding of Methodism's purpose:) "What may we reasonably believe to be God's design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists? Answer: To reform the nation and, in particular, the Church; to spread scriptural holiness over the land." Would we say that our nation does not need reformation? Could we say the say the same thing about the church?
Wesley's church was The Church of England. It was a very high church, that is to say, filled with much liturgy and ritual. It ceased to seek the lost and seemed to avoid at all costs to reach the poor. It sought to stay the same. Wesley, through his daily prayers and his daily and constant reading of Scripture realized this was not the call of believers, preachers or otherwise. He felt God calling him to take the church to those the church could no longer see nor want. He went to coal mines and preached there. He went to factories and preached there. His willingness to risk preaching Jesus started an awakening and revival in his country to the point someone has said prevented a civil war that could have destroyed the nation.
What do you feel God calling you to do about your ministry?
PRAYER: Loving God, sometimes, I confess, I feel comfortable and safe in doing little to nothing for You. Yet, each day people die without knowing You and Your love. The news scream for the need to know You, and what have I done about it? Awaken me, dear God, to be the person You called me to be. This I pray in the One who strengthens me, Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
