Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

Divine Duet

by Christel Baxter

Not in your own strength, for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you, energizing and creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
Philippians 2:13, Amp

My eleven year old niece, Christy, has been taking piano lessons for about eight months now, and really seems to have a wonderful, natural talent for music. She’s made great progress over this short period of time. Recently Christy’s piano teacher asked her to play a hymn she taught her at their school’s chapel service. Christy is very shy of public attention but courageously went ahead and ministered her song to the Lord. She’s a beginner piano student and her rendition of the hymn was simple and without frills. But then, somewhere in the middle of her performance, her piano teacher, an accomplished musician, joined her at the piano, and added a beautiful accompaniment to Christy’s simple melody. As student and teacher played this duet of praise together, it was transformed into the most beautiful, anointed music and touched the hearts of those listening, and I’m sure, God’s heart also!

As I listened to my sister telling me of this special moment in Christy’s life, I saw so clearly a picture of Father God, and the way He beautifies our simple efforts of service to Him. We often feel inadequate and unqualified to do things for Him. Our own insecurities and fear of failure cause us to hold back when His Spirit prompts us to step out in faith and to trust Him for the results. What we forget is that, because of the anointing and presence of His Holy Spirit within us, our human efforts are transformed into divine assignments as God joins us for a ‘duet’ that will touch lives and accomplish God’s purposes in and through us. When we lean on Him, and not on our own understanding or our own abilities, He’s glorified, and lives are impacted for His Kingdom! ‘Not in your own strength’, but ‘for His good pleasure, and satisfaction and delight’.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You never leave me to do things in my own strength. Thank You that You always come alongside me and beautify my human efforts with Your divine touch and anointing. I want to trust You more than ever, and step out whenever You call me to do so! Amen.

Christel Baxter joined the Associate prayer ministry team at Shere House, S.Africa in 2008 after attending the 20 day school. Besides serving together on the associate team at Shere House, Christel & her husband, Gary, pastor New Life Ministries, a congregation in Boksburg, Gauteng. Their children, Liezl and Wesley, are both married, and they adore their son-in-law and daughter-in-law and their little granddaughter, Hannah! Christel is passionate about seeing broken lives restored and especially loves ministering God`s love and healing to women of all ages.

 

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