Chase Health, Find God...and ministries will find you...(Nov. 14)

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Chase health, and you will find God
Find health, and ministries will find you.

Chase ministries, and you will loose health
Loose health, and you will loose touch with God
And ministries will devour you.

Lay Isaac on the altar?
Who is Isaac? What is the altar?

Isaac is our most beloved.
Altar is obedience.

What are we commanded?
Husbands, love your wives.
Provide for your own — especially the members of your own family.

But is there not a time to leave father, mother...wife...daughter...?
For God...sometimes...yes

For the Muslim convert, sometimes, tragically, yes
...for the married unbeliever that will not reconcile? Who forces us to choose?
...sometimes, yes...
Involuntarily. God has called us to peace. Let them go.


...for sickness, injury or imprisonments?
Nowhere is safe. Some places less than others.
Sometimes, yes, the price is counted, and dangers are faced.

...but do we lay families, wives, children on the altar...of ministry?

Which is Isaac, which is altar?

Isaac is the most beloved.
Altar is obedience.

What is your command, Father?

To love. Love your wife as your body.
Love your kids as a representative of God.

And ministry?
What is ministry?

Is caring for family ministry? Is sharing the gospel in hometowns ministry?

What makes ministry different? Better?

A role? A title? Adoring supporters? Passport stamps?

What is the beloved?

Have I been running so hard for self, or for God?

If for God, why is it SO hard to give it up? The fame, the title, the praise?

If for God, why not serve more slowly, expectantly. Humbly. In obscurity. A little corner of the globe where my family is provided for, and also I can serve in a way that fits?

Why is it so hard? Why?

What is Isaac, what is altar?

Lay it down. Will you receive it back again?

Our God can raise even from the dead.

But if it is not laid down, is it not an idol, and cursed?

And will not the curse consume itself and myself and all I have?

For those who cling to their lives will loose them. But those who lay down their lives will find them.

And what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?

Into your hands, oh God, I commit my spirit.

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