The Cost of Declaring His Glory ~ Dr. Helen Roseveare

Dr. Helen Roseveare stood to address a conference after pulling all the blossoms and leaves off a forsythia branch demonstrating for them, The Cost of Declaring His Glory:

As the stripping and whittling and sandpapering processes are complete, what results from the rough (though once beautiful) branch? An arrow - a polished shaft, fit to carry the arrowhead direct to its target. A perfect balanced tool in the hand of an expert archer to achieve a destined goal. Does the "cost" now seem quite so high? Was it really a pointless waste? God says that he will make of his Branch (Isaiah 11:1) a polished shaft (Isaiah 49:2). And he longs to make you and me more "like unto Jesus," conformable to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29).

Am I willing for the stripping and whittling and sandpapering, through circumstances, companions or committees, to make me into that perfect arrow to achieve his wonderful purposes in and through my life? "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)…

I have looked back and tried "to count the cost," but I find it all swallowed up in privilege. The cost suddenly seems very small and transient in the greatness and permanence of the privilege.  Can you, will you, believe it and enter into it?

As the branch to become the arrow had to lose its leaves and flowers, so I perhaps the pleasant home, fixed salary and married joys. (Nothing wrong in leaves and flowers - essential to the life of the branch - but a hindrance, a weight, to the balanced arrow). So also the side branches, roughnesses and knots - my temperament, my sensitivities, my habits the sin that does so easily beset us, of bad temper, of being hurt, of throwing my weight about. And even to the bark, the final individuality of the branch - my personality, my right to be myself - that I may be crucified that Christ may live wholly in me: so will we be able to run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, who has paid the cost and offers us only the privilege.

We Hear You and We Want to Live for Jesus

“The teaching today deeply touched our hearts. You made the Word so clear. We hear you and we want to live for Jesus…Our trouble comes from our challenges at home… unsaved husbands, pressure to provide basic necessities: food, medical care, school fees for our children, no one caring about these needs – many husbands sit in the market and drink all day long….We know brewing alcohol is wrong…We don’t want our children to hear us say, ‘Alcohol is bad, stay away from it!’ Then watch us later that evening serve others alcohol. What you said is true, when we do that our children can’t respect or depend on our advice….,” said one of the women from our Bible study today.

The heart wrenching truth to her statements is undeniable; but the dawning of HOPE is equally unmistakable! God is answering our prayers for these sisters. They are stepping forward, breaking tradition and culture, sowing truth into their children and believing God CAN HEAL this broken and hurting land.

My confidence (for the sisters of Rabuna Fi South Sudan and for you) is in the Almighty Captain of Heaven’s Hosts, the One who rides the clouds putting darkness under His feet, inclining His ear even to our unspoken cries from the heart, Who promises to go before, behind, and beside us – Jesus Our Omnipotent Overcomer!

He is ABLE and I am so grateful to see these sisters are willing…. I ask you to please keep praying for the women of Rabuna Fi. They desperately want all Jesus has for them; but, like you and like me, there are “giants” to subdue in the land. Pray we will walk in faith, DOING what He says without fear of the cost or consequence….

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. ~ James 1:21-25

His Treasure

Jesus’ ransom sacrifice & victorious resurrection is a miracle we’ll celebrate throughout eternity. The wonder, majesty & sheer awe are far beyond our comprehension; yet, even the glimpses we do see overpower us with adoration... We can’t help but praise Him for such an awesome demonstration of love…

Think about it… we are cleansed – from head to toe; A to Z; past, present, & future – all sin’s guilty stain is gone and we are able to stand before Our Holy God justified (“just-as-if-I-never-sinned” as pastors often say). Please don’t stop here, there is so much more…think about this….

Jesus came because He wants YOU! He didn’t come just to collect your filthy sins – that was just a fringe benefit! He wants YOU – every part… Your Beloved Savior, with heart ablaze, came to claim YOU as His Bride…

…Our Great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us

to redeem us from all lawlessness and

to purify for Himself a people for His Own possession

who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:13-14

The KJV elaborates on the phrase, “His Own possession” saying, “His Own peculiar treasure.” God calls you a treasure…that is a far cry from how most of us describe ourselves isn’t it?

God has claimed you FOREVER…

He loves you in the extreme & infinite…

              He proved it with His life, death, & resurrection…

                              He cannot possibly love you anymore than He does right this minute!

                       He promised never to leave you or fail you!

He is so confident in His transforming LOVE and LIFE in you He boldly stakes His entire reputation, putting you on display as work of art… How can we give any less than our ALL?

Live every second as His Own, set apart exclusively from all others, & willing to follow His lead – even if it leads to your own cross! Live your love out loud… when we get to heaven we will never regret how much we declared our love for Him! He is so worth it!

When we get to heaven...

“When we get to heaven God isn’t looking for our diplomas or medals – He’ll be looking for our scars.” Leonard Ravenhill

What is the most painful thing you are facing today? One day that will be a scar… The searing pain of the wound and the memory of the heartbreak can be swallowed up in His presence starting today if we choose His way and relinquish our own….

God’s Word promises He alone can cleanse the deepest wounds; He binds them up, wipes dry our tears, and makes all things new. His nail scarred hand reaches out to offer you the most intimate fellowship – the one of His very Own suffering…do it now and be comforted….Our part is to choose to die to ourselves! Take His hand, bow your heart, and watch Him make beauty from even these ashes. He alone makes all things beautiful in His time!

Stop running from the pain and hardship, it is the way the Master went and He bids us to follow. He longs to show you His treasures of love (Agape love). Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him – in eternity you will not ever regret these choices – “For nothing is too precious for Jesus,” said the famous missionary Amy Carmichael.

Do not fear beloved, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you all things that pertain to LIFE and GODLINESS…He is prepared to share His Own Divine Nature with you…don’t fear the scars...Your Beloved Savior did it - He offers you the power and authority to become an overcomer too!

I want to do a beautiful work.

"He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name." Acts 9:15

"You are Mine.  You are not your own.  

With a great price I have purchased you for Myself.  

I am not dismayed that you do not comprehend, but I say that if you will listen to Me, 

I will reveal to you more fully so that you may know more clearly how vital you are to My purpose.  

There is work to be done, and I need you as a vessel through which to work.  

Not a vassal, but a vessel  I want to do a beautiful work."

I need an individual to use who is not only available and suitable, 

But who loves Me in such a way as to enhance My creation.  

I desire not the kind of loyalty a soldier gives to his country, 

But a dedicated devotion of the type of love a mother feels toward her unborn child.

There will be inconveniences to be borne, 

self-pleasing to be laid aside, 

sacrifices and pain--but what a blessed reward I have in store!  

Yes, in store for you, if you are able to let Me use you the way I desire.

You are not unworthy; you are not unprepared.  

You have no reason to hold back unless your love for Me is too small.  

If this is the only hindrance, draw closer to Me, and 

I will pour My love out upon you so that your affection for Me may be deepened and perfected.  

Lo, I wait for you.  

Come to me."

Francis J. Roberts