Getting To The End Of Yourself
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1
Manley Beasley was an evangelist who made an incredible impact for the kingdom of God. He had several health problems throughout his life, including kidney disease that required frequent dialysis and eventually took his life. But even in the midst of his suffering, Manley’s faith never wavered.
I love Manley's definition of faith: “Faith is believing that it is so when it is not so, so that it can be so because God has said so.”
You might say, “That sounds like a positive thinking.” But I would disagree. Positive thinking is a strong wish. Faith says because God says so, I am choosing to believe that it is so, not because I want it so but because God said so.
Manley went on to say: “When we get to the end of ourselves, it is then that God takes over. When we recognize our weakness, it is then that God will show Himself adequate for whatever the situation may be.”
Our problem with having faith normally originates with our struggle to come to the end of ourselves. Until we do this, we will never live by faith, because we choose to trust our abilities more than the ability of God; we trust our dreams more than the purposes of God; we trust our steps more than the will of God. We will never really look to God until we stop looking to ourselves.
What will it take to get to the end of yourself? Resistance to brokenness is caused by pride. Until pride is broken in your life, you will never experience God’s deliverance or power in your life. You will never be able to exercise faith until you get to the end of yourself and stop saying, “God, I can take care of this, I can fix this, I can work through this. I can sort this out.”
Faith is never exercised until you lose confidence in yourself and lean into God.
Manley Beasley was an evangelist who made an incredible impact for the kingdom of God. He had several health problems throughout his life, including kidney disease that required frequent dialysis and eventually took his life. But even in the midst of his suffering, Manley’s faith never wavered.
I love Manley's definition of faith: “Faith is believing that it is so when it is not so, so that it can be so because God has said so.”
You might say, “That sounds like a positive thinking.” But I would disagree. Positive thinking is a strong wish. Faith says because God says so, I am choosing to believe that it is so, not because I want it so but because God said so.
Manley went on to say: “When we get to the end of ourselves, it is then that God takes over. When we recognize our weakness, it is then that God will show Himself adequate for whatever the situation may be.”
Our problem with having faith normally originates with our struggle to come to the end of ourselves. Until we do this, we will never live by faith, because we choose to trust our abilities more than the ability of God; we trust our dreams more than the purposes of God; we trust our steps more than the will of God. We will never really look to God until we stop looking to ourselves.
What will it take to get to the end of yourself? Resistance to brokenness is caused by pride. Until pride is broken in your life, you will never experience God’s deliverance or power in your life. You will never be able to exercise faith until you get to the end of yourself and stop saying, “God, I can take care of this, I can fix this, I can work through this. I can sort this out.”
Faith is never exercised until you lose confidence in yourself and lean into God.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?
No Comments