Pressure (Part 2)

Pressure (Part 2)

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." Psalm 18:19

After I blogged yesterday about pressure, I flipped the page of the Keswick devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE and laughed. I couldn't believe the poem that followed the reading for October 2nd. Believe it or not, it was called: PRESSURE ...

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond all stregnth;
Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and pressure from friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured. -- Author Unknown

Dr. Jay Kessler, who served as President of Taylor University wrote about pressure in Campus Life magazine:

There are two ways of handling pressure. One is illustrated by a bathysphere, the miniature submarine used to explore the ocean in places so deep that the water pressure would crush a conventional submarine like an aluminum can. Bathyspheres compensate with plate steel several inches thick, which keeps the water out but also makes them heavy and hard to maneuver. Inside they're cramped.

When these craft descend to the ocean floor, however, they find they're not alone. When thier lights are turned on and you look through the tiny, thick plate-glass windows, what do you see? Fish!

These fish cope with extreme pressure in an entirely different way. They don't build thick skins: they remain supple and free. They compensate for the outside pressure through equal and opposite pressure inside themselves.

Christians, likewise, don't have to be hard and thick-skinned -- as long as they appropriate God's power within to equal the pressure without.

Brother, how are you handling the pressures of life? Press into Him and allow Him to flood your heart and mind with HIS peace. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3; Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33

Great Quote: Until the storms and difficulties allowed by God’s providence beat upon a believer again and again, his character appears flawed and blurred. Yet the trials actually clear away the clouds and shadows, perfect the form of his character, and bestow brightness and blessing to his life. – Streams in the Desert 10/1

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: This year’s BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won’t want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America’s KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.