contradictions
She was an accomplished pianist who had played for major concerts and received great honours. She had a very bright future ahead of her in the world of classical music.
She had a problem and discussed it with her pastor. She really wanted to surrender her whole life to Christ, but she was afraid that He would ask her to give up her music.
After discussing the situation, the pastor opened the Scriptures to Acts 10:14 where Peter had said “Not so, Lord” and he explained the contradiction of terms in those words.
If Christ was Peter’s Lord, he had no right to say “Not so”
If Peter had a right to say “Not so” then he could not say “Lord”
The pastor wrote the three words on a piece of paper – “Not so, Lord” and told the young lady to make a choice. Either she had to cross out “Not so” or she must cross out “Lord”.
The young lady, after much anguish, crossed out the “Not so” and the pastor records that the Lord greatly used her and her music in His service for many years.
How often do WE try to say, “Not so, Lord”?
How often do we make our own decisions
and go our own way, without regard to His will?
Can we truly say “Lord”?
We can, when we know from experience that He only wants the very best for us and that HIS choice is ALWAYS the best.
We can never outgive God, because He is no man’s debtor and He always uses a bigger shovel.
A few lines from the hymn of contradictions by George Matheson
Make me a CAPTIVE Lord,
And then I shall be FREE.
Force me to render up my sword
And I shall conqueror be.
My will is not my own
Till Thou hast made it Thine.
John 8:36 If the Son makes you free, you shall be FREE INDEED.
When we purpose in our hearts, to follow wherever the Lord leads, He will provide opportunities for us to stir up the gifts that He has placed within us, while giving Him glory and honor with our gifts.
God bless.
Paulette
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Amen – and He will also give us gifts we never imagined and we will achieve the impossible to HIS glory. What a tremendous privilege to be used by Him!!!
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Angela,
When I read your posting it reminded me of Gen 19:18 (KJV) “And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:” In this case Lot, due to a lack of faith, was refusing to follow the Lord’s directions in leading him away from Sodom.
Just as you rightfully pointed out, in both examples Peter and Lot were contradicting themselves by refusing to submit to the One they were addressing as Lord.
My prayer is that the Lord might help me to be always submissive and compliant to His will and ways for my life.
Thank you for your faithfulness in writing this blog. May the Lord bless you.
Rob
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Inside the will of God there is no failure: Outside the will of God there is no success.
Doing the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.
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Aha, but who was the pianist? I always remember that when Cliff richard became a Christian he pondered giving up working in popular music, but instead he was able to become an even more succesful artist and perhaps one of the nation’s most famous followers of Christ.
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This was a young lady and a classical pianist, no pop. The pastor who wrote the account did not mention her name.
I was challenged by the “Not so, Lord”
While I haven’t used those exact words, I plead guilty to so often saying “I can’t do that!” when the Lord gives me work in His service. In effect I am saying the same thing and it is something I must remedy. I know that His enabling ALWAYS accompanies His calling. “I” can’t do it, but He in me can and does.
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