World Renewal International
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
"Now That I Am Old and Gray"
When I was 18 I adopted a life verse. I wrote about it on April 10 at this site and this is what I said,
"My life verse is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "It simply says God's power shows up best in weakness." I was 18 years old when I first read that with understanding. I remember thinking, "If that verse is true, I really have a chance to be used of God." I stood in the aisle of South Meridian Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, and said, "God, I believe your word is true, I take this verse and claim it for as long as I live." I have claimed that verse over and over in the 37 years since that day of February 1970. I noticed the word "best" in the LBT. I am not sure what I might have done "best" in anything. I do know there are things I do better than other things I do and those things I do best seem to really involve Him. It seems to me there is self-confidence and then there is Christ-confidence. Christ-confidence is what I believe he can do through me. There is no question in my mind which has worked best for me down through the years. How about you?
I will be 56 in June. Over the last couple of weeks God has given me another life verse. I think this one is for the home-stretch. It is Psalm 71:18. Even the verse before 18 is true in my life. I was blessed to have a childhood surrounded by Godly family who loved Jesus and loved me. It reads, "Oh God, you taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do." I believe this is my testimony. I started telling my friends about Jesus when I was in grade school. My dad had to caution me during this period about being too aggressive in my evangelism. He said I was being a little too persuasive in bringing children into our house to accept Christ. He said I needed to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart and that I should not put so much pressure on them. Dad was an evangelist himself so I must have been really over doing it!
Now I have stood in auditoriums and open air meetings and gatherings all over the world "constantly" telling people how great God is. I have really tried to find the best and most effective ways to influence people to become Christ followers. God has blessed many of those efforts. I have seen their faces change as the wonderful witness of God's Spirit conveyed the sweet relief of forgiven sin and the joy of eternal salvation. I have seen their faces break into smiles, laughter or tears of joy.
I will be 56 in June. Over the last couple of weeks God has given me another life verse. I think this one is for the home-stretch. It is Psalm 71:18. Even the verse before 18 is true in my life. I was blessed to have a childhood surrounded by Godly family who loved Jesus and loved me. It reads, "Oh God, you taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do." I believe this is my testimony. I started telling my friends about Jesus when I was in grade school. My dad had to caution me during this period about being too aggressive in my evangelism. He said I was being a little too persuasive in bringing children into our house to accept Christ. He said I needed to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart and that I should not put so much pressure on them. Dad was an evangelist himself so I must have been really over doing it!
Now I have stood in auditoriums and open air meetings and gatherings all over the world "constantly" telling people how great God is. I have really tried to find the best and most effective ways to influence people to become Christ followers. God has blessed many of those efforts. I have seen their faces change as the wonderful witness of God's Spirit conveyed the sweet relief of forgiven sin and the joy of eternal salvation. I have seen their faces break into smiles, laughter or tears of joy.
Now these days I am concerned about finishing the race. I want to finish strong. However, I am still well qualified for 2 Corinthians 12:9. That is still scary to me. I feel I need Him more than ever! Men and women who think because God has used them they are somehow immune to the enemy's tricks! Well I have seen their lives of sorrow and despair. I do not wish to join them.
Therefore, the Lord seems to have given me this verse to claim and comfort my heart. "Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71:18. With all my heart I pray, "Thank you my precious Lord Jesus, I really needed that, I really need you Lord Jesus." Does this make sense to you?
Thanks for stopping by.
Therefore, the Lord seems to have given me this verse to claim and comfort my heart. "Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71:18. With all my heart I pray, "Thank you my precious Lord Jesus, I really needed that, I really need you Lord Jesus." Does this make sense to you?
Thanks for stopping by.
:: posted by Gary Wright, 8:42 PM
