The Oswald Project

Author and theologian C.S. Lewis once wrote, "We are not necessarily doubting that God will do His best for us, but we do wonder how painful His best will turn out to be." God's best for us sometimes comes in the form of His discipline or His correction, but who among us looks forward to getting "called out" by God?

It must be possible to quench the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the Apostle Paul would not have commanded us not to do so. In the same way, it must be possible to grieve the Spirit; otherwise, in Ephesians 4: 30, Paul would not have commanded us not to do it. So, what is the difference? To find out, be sure and listen to today's episode of the Oswald Project.

When the crisis comes and great courage is required, God expects His people to be so confident in Him that they are the dependable ones. Today, we look at Jesus' disciples in action and realize that, like His disciples, you and I only trust Jesus up to a certain point.

Before one of his many Gospel Crusades, Dr. Billy Graham was challenged by a group of pastors about his understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. His answer would no doubt have a direct bearing on their support of the crusade. After a moment of silence, Dr. Graham spoke. "I don't care how you get the Holy Spirit—just get Him!"

Do you remember the 1990 movie Home Alone? Eight-year-old Kevin McAllister gets left behind when his parents fly to Paris for a family vacation. In Luke 2, we find the story of another boy who gets accidentally "left behind." The boy's name is Jesus, and as always, Oswald Chambers digs deep and challenges us to consider whether we are intentionally living each day, going about our Father's business.

Jesus told His disciples, "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:8). So, why pray? Also, why do we pray in Jesus' name? Is it just because it sounds official before a meal? What about "unanswered" prayers? What, if anything, is God doing between the time we make a request and the time when we perceive He has answered it? And..what does the cross have to do with prayer?

From His disciple's "view of the parade," God called Jesus to what seemed like an absolute disaster for Him and for them. It was bewildering to them that the Messiah could be killed on a Roman cross like a common criminal. Sometimes God's call on your life and the circumstances you face may seem bewildering, but for the Christian, nothing happens by chance. Everything has a purpose--a God-decreed purpose!

In Luke 18, we see Jesus on His final journey to Jerusalem to face his death on a cross. In today's devotional, Oswald Chambers challenges us to consider that Jesus has chosen us, called us, and bids us go with Him to our Jerusalem, the place of our death, as we live a disciple's life of dying to our own selfish ambitions.

In today's devotional, Oswald Chambers explores the path of self-examination to determine if we want to join Jesus in His mission for us, or whether we want to carry out our own mission for ourselves. Are we determined to debate God, or obey God?

Whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches us that the only way out of a trial--is through it! In Psalm 23:4, King David wrote: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. " I think many of us try everything to walk around the valley of the shadow of death--not through it! But, like it or not, that is not God's process for growing our faith.

Did you know that the return of Jesus Christ is referenced in more than 500 verses of the Bible? It's been estimated that one out of every 25 verses in the New Testament refers in some way to the second coming. But not only does the Bible say Jesus is coming back...but He's coming back with clouds!