One of the things that really challenges me and speaks to me is the devotional of works by Smith Wigglesworth. Today’s reading was something that really spoke to me so I thought I would share it with you…
‘And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing’
– 1 Corinthians 13:3
…
A man came to me, and we had long talks about the Lord. He told me, “I was in a very difficult place. I had been working very hard in the church and had given all my strength…”
Oh, I see such godly, holy people doing more than they ought to, thereby giving themselves away. Don’t you know that your body belongs to God (1 Cor 6:19-20), and that, if you overtax your body, God says He will judge you for it? We have to be careful because the body that is given to us is to exhibit His power and His glory, and we cannot do this if we give ourselves all the time to work, work, work and think that that is the only way. It is not the way.
The Scriptures teach us that Jesus had to go renew His spiritual vision and power in solitude with His Father (Mark 1:35), and it was also necessary for the disciples to draw aside and rest awhile (Mark 6:30-31). Couldn’t Jesus give them all they needed? My dear brother, whatever God gives you, He will never take away your common sense.
Suppose I unwisely overextended my body and knew that I had done so? How could I ask anyone to pray for me unless I repented? We must be careful. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and He has to dwell in them, and they have to be for His purpose in the world. We are not working for ourselves; God is to be glorified in our bodies. Many today are absolutely withered up, years before their time, because they went beyond their knowledge.
Thank you for hearing & obeying .. this was definitely God speaking to me .. again .. .. ..
I’m grateful you shared this message Casey, thanks. May God bless us as we try to work this out in our own lives.