Urgency

Is there a sense of urgency in our lives? Egypt is in the news daily because of the constant protests by it's citizens trying to overthrow the existing government. Churches are called to pray for this nation, as we are called to do by Paul in 1Tim.2:1-3. But as there is a growing sense of urgency over what is happening in Egypt, is there an equal or even greater sense of urgency over what is happening to souls all over the world. We believe that God is sovereign and all things are under his control yet the bible also makes it very clear that he called the church to be the salt and light to this dark world. It is my peace time mentality that causes me to live desiring to seek what brings the most peace and comfort in my life. I am challenged this morning to consider carefully the battle that is waging against the souls of men today. The call to Christians is a call to have peace with God that we may have the peace of God while becoming peace makers for God with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, give me a sense of urgency to preach the gospel to the lost.

Opposites attract

For some strange reason I woke up with this thought today. "opposites attract" I was thinking about how we are always attracted to things that we are not. Think about all the couples you know. Isn't it almost always the case?

When I woke up this morning I wasn't necessarily thinking about dating or marriage though. I woke up thinking how we are attracted to God's holiness because we are so far from it. The more we recognize our sins the more His attribute of holiness seems to appeal to us. Pride causes us to see ourselves closer to God than we really are, therefore the attraction to God is decreased. God pursued something completely contrary to Himself, sinners who were dead in our trespasses. We were attracted to something completely alien to our conscience, His perfectness.

The more I recognize my sinfulness the more my soul cries out to be near Him. The more I think I am near Him the more my appetite for Him decreases.

The beginning, present and future of my salvation depends on my past, present and future recognition of His grace for me.

To live is to die.........

Zachary rode his bike to school for the first time today. I know that when I was younger I was a lot more independent than my kids are now, but times are different. Most parents are almost living in paranoia that something tragic is going to happen to their kids. I have my fears but at some point I need to let go and give them room to grow up. As my kids get older what they really look forward to is their independence. He rides his bike all the time. In fact he's kind of bored with it already. But this morning he was elated to get on the bike to go to school. Of course it had nothing to do with riding his bike. His excitement was about his independence. I think he felt grown up to go to school on his own.

As I was watching him ride away I couldn't help but to think how he's going to have to relearn all of that with his relationship with our heavenly Father. One of the most important lessons about being a man is to be self reliant, to not rely on others and learn to take care of yourself. But when it comes to our spiritual growth it's exactly the opposite. If we don't learn to depend on Him more and more we will never grow. Our whole Christian duty is to die to oneself and to live hidden in Him. I guess this is what we call a paradox. To live is to die and to die is to gain.

My prayer this morning is that I would be able to disciple my children to become independent when it comes to this world and dependent when it comes to our true citizenship in heaven.

Nothing Compares......

Can someone who has truly met the Lord ever be in love with anything else more than Him? People often ask me what book I've read that is a must read for everyone. I am not an avid reader but there is nothing that I can think of that is a "must read" other than scripture. I have never been affected by a book written by man like the way God's direct words have on me. There is a lot of talk about God and literature expounding the preciousness of God but nothing compares to meeting Him yourself. Reading about God and talking about God is not the same as meeting God and knowing God. We are inspired by testimonies. We are enlightened by good exposition of scripture. Our world views are stretched by deep insights but only the word of God can produce faith that changes us for good. Taste and see that the Lord is good. I can tell you how great Christ is and be as articulate as Shakespeare and as powerful in presentation as John Piper but it can never replace us meeting Him in person. Seek the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART, is what our Lord commands. Our God is not hiding. He is simply waiting for us to realize how much we desperately Need Him and in response Want Him. Have you ever had something so good that just the thought of having that again makes your stomach growl and mouth water? Meeting the Lord has that same affect when you have truly met Him. Meet Him. Don't be satisfied with talks of Him. Don't settle for pictures of Him. Don't settle for testimonies about Him. Seek the Lord and determine to know and love Him with all your heart. He is not far. He is waiting.

Thankful..

Our God is so good and loving. I don't see Him tangibly every day but in those times that God chooses to reveal Himself to me I am always awed and changed. God listens to my prayers. He cared enough for my soul to send His only begotten Son. Why would I ever doubt that He would not love me in smaller things. It is when I am content in this world that my spiritual sight becomes dull and my heart becomes callous. My God is a gracious and loving God who is worthy to be praised and adored. He hears me. He knows me. He loves me. Simple truth expressed all throughout the bible but small tangible reminders breathes life into those words. What does this world have that can be better than Him? He knows my inner thoughts better than I do. He cares for every need more than I can imagine. He desires for me to call out to Him because He finds joy in me when I do. He pursued me when I was not aware of Him. He spoke to me when I was not listening. He loved me when I was a filthy blasphemer. He endured with me when I repeatedly stray. I don't want anything else. Only God, Only Jesus, Only the Spirit of God can satisfy the longings in my heart. Thank You Lord...