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Set Apart For Jesus
By Commissioner Carol Bassett
In preparation for the work and ministry that his disciples
would have after he was no longer physically with them, Jesus
prayed for them. He prayed for their protection, for their
abundant joy and for their sanctification. Additionally,
Jesus told them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit who would
guide, equip, empower and enable them to do the work he had
called them to do. They were set apart for
Kingdom work.
As a Salvation Army Officer I have been called by God to do
Kingdom work and gladly live in submission to the Lord.
I give witness to the words of William James Pearson found in
the SASB # 495.
I’m set apart for Jesus, with him to ever stay, My spirit he
releases, he drives my foes away. He gives full strength for
trial and shields when darts are hurled; With him and
self-denial I overcome the world.
From my vantage point of looking back over these many years, I
thank God that as a child, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and
then as a teenager claimed this promise:
“Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6 KJV. This scripture
promise has been a reality in my life and I praise and thank
God for his guidance and the gift of the Holy Spirit and his
sanctifying power in my life.
In his book, “The God Moment Principle”, Alan D. Wright has
written, “How you remember yesterday determines how you will
live tomorrow.” Because I know God has been faithful in the
past I know I can trust him for the future! Even now as
I look forward to the days that are to come I am confident
that God will be with me in days of joy and in days of
sadness. I know his mercies are new every morning and
that he will minister his grace to me each day.
Looking back as you are facing forward, my words to you are
from my own personal journey with the Lord. I know that
throughout the years God has guided me in establishing
personal priorities for my spiritual growth and well being and
I know you will also be guided by the Holy Spirit as you seek
his direction on your personal journey of obedience to God’s
calling in your life throughout the coming years. It is
my prayer that God will abundantly bless you and make you a
blessing as you are engaged in Kingdom work.
• Make your personal private time with God a daily priority.
Study and meditate upon the truth of God’s Word, spend time in
prayer and enjoy intimacy with the Almighty. You will
lead a very busy life but you receive daily guidance, strength
and inspiration to keep focused on Kingdom business, ministry
and growth in your personal experience with the Lord.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James
4:8a NIV •
Endeavor to be humble and joyfully give God thanks and glory.
Remember it’s not about you but about being available to the
Lord and allowing God the Holy Spirit to work in and through
you. “I planted the
seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So
neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only
God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6,7 NIV
• Live a life of integrity in every area of your life. Enjoy
God’s blessings, be joyful and cultivate a positive attitude
and others will be influenced by your example of holy living.
“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All his
wonderful passion and purity, O thou Spirit Divine, all my
nature refine, Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.” Chorus
Section: #77 SASB
• Continue to become better equipped to fulfill your calling
by ongoing learning through reading and educational
experiences. However, be careful not to become impressed by
your own knowledge. “Do your best to present yourself to God
as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and
who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
NIV
• Value and respect all people. We have a relational
ministry. Interact with others in a way in which they will see
Christ in you.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side We
will work with each other, we will work side by side And we’ll
guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride And they’ll
know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know
we are Christians by our love Lyrics by: Carolyn Arends
Several years ago I decided on my own personal mission
statement. It is taken from the Word of God. “…..that I
may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every
way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the
knowledge of God……” Colossians 1:10 NIV
And so I say to you, “Be strong in the Lord, rely on God’s
provisions and enjoy God’s blessings. Stand firm in your
faith and secure in God’s promises. You will never face
a situation that exceeds God’s grace!”
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious
riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint SASB #579
I close with words of praise and thanksgiving to God for the
reality of his goodness and grace to me. “You have made known
to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your
presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 NIV
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