Pursue:

Been a while since I posted…Been a bit consumed with other things, but over the past couple of weeks I have felt compelled to write again.

Was thinking about what was in my heart and knew that I had to post about a complacency that can sometimes creeps into my heart as it pertains to my pursuit of God.

Now, I am completely aware that God doesn’t need me to pursue Him. He is who He is and my opinion of Him or relationship to Him doesn’t change that.  But it does change me. He was/is/and will be Holy…but as I pursue Him, I become more like Him.  His nature is perfect love…the closer I get to Him the more loving I become.  He showers compassion on the lost, hurting, forgotten, and addicted…when I am walking in relationship to the Perfect One, I have discovered that I show more compassion to those who are less than perfect.

So, why wouldn’t I pursue Him?  Why isn’t He my priority…my first thought?  Why don’t i discipline myself more to read His word, pray “draw me nearer” prayers, and spend time worshipping the One who is Worthy of all of my praise?

I know that when I do those things I have more peace (Jesus is the Prince of Peace), joy, passion, and love in my life…yet I am not as obsessed with Him as I should be…why not?  I guess the only thing I can say is that I get distracted…I sacrifice the best on the altar of average.  I give up my spiritual priorities for the priority of entertainment…and I ignore the most important relationship because others that are less important are more demanding.

Well…if you are like me (and i am writing this in hopes that some of you are…I don’t enjoy this type of vulnerability…but I am willing to share what God is speaking to me about in hopes that it might help someone else) you know how I feel…

I know that God is the ONE THING that I should pursue each day, and it is for that reason that I will make Him my priority…

God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb 11:6)…When I go after Him, He rewards me with His presence, His comfort, and the purposes that bring me fulfillment and Him glory…

 

When trials come, Jesus stays.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8;18

There is a lot of talk in scripture about suffering.  Jesus told us that we would have trouble.  James tells us the consider trials joy.  Romans talks about our present sufferings.  All through scripture we read stories about people who had challenges and we are encouraged to stay steady when facing struggles.

Why then, are we confused when something doesn’t go right, attacks come, or our faith is tested?  Why do we lose courage when we face hardship.

I am not going to take time to evaluate what the Bible says about why trials come, how we should react, or the good that can come as we are refined in our own personal fire, I simply want to remind you that God is always with you…and if you keep your eyes on Him, He will offer you proper perspective in the midst of the most difficult and confusing times.

In the past couple of years I have become more aware of how many people are struggling.  Some of their challenges are visible (marital, financial, addictions) others are invisible (depression, loss, broken dreams), but no matter what they are, God is begging for their attention.  If you are one of those that is facing difficulties, do all you can to take your thoughts captive.  Don’t obsess about the challenges and don’t let fear grip your heart.  Instead, look to the author and perfector of your faith.  Stare into the eyes of the one who is capable of guarding your heart and protecting your dreams.  He is loving and He is with you.  If you choose to hold onto Him and you are patient you will find that He brought good out of the trials and that He has been with you the entire time.

A great tragedy of life.

“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer.” F.B. Meyer

What a phenomenal quote…so true.  What might hinder God’s movement more than anything else is that his faithful people are either faithless when it comes to praying, or negligent.

This is not to say that we are bad people, but it could point towards our lack of priorities.

I know that I am guilty at times of operating under my strength, within the confines of my understanding to accomplish God-given tasks or to face God-sized mountains…how crazy is that?

I serve the God who is more than enough…capable and willing to move mountains and change circumstances, yet I sometimes ignore His invitation to consult Him and fail to invite Him into my crisis/journey.

Today…not going to do that.  Going to let God be God.  Going to partner with Him in prayer so that I can see His hand move and sense His work all around me.

For all of you who, like me, realize that the most efficient thing you can do is pause to talk to God, let’s commit that we will prayer great prayers and watch God move.

Becoming more comfortable being uncomfortable

So, here is my question…

The Bible teaches that we have wisdom from God whenever we ask, that we can know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will, and that we can speak the very words of God.  So, why don’t we trust that?

Why are we so intimidated to get outside of the comfort of our own experience and logical understanding? Why are we so scared to follow God out onto a limb or afraid that we might not know enough in certain situations?

I am becoming more comfortable being uncomfortable in this sense.  I am learning to embrace the unknown and to enjoy the risks…because when I am more desperate to hear His voice, it comes through more clearly.

I am trying to train myself to pray specifically and wait for clear answers.  Amazingly, they are there.

God does not leave me hanging and his timing is not off.  He is there when I need Him with the answers that are necessary.

If we as Bible-believing, Jesus-loving, want-to-be-a-part-of-what-God-is-doing Christians really want to be close to Christ, learn to hear His voice, and make a difference, we need to get out of His way so that He can teach us to trust.

If God were to post on your Facebook

The other day, I posed an interesting question on our Facebook fanpage.  I asked, “If God were to post a message on your facebook, what would he say?”

There were several interesting responses.

Several people thought that He would encourage them. Some were hoping He would offer direction. While others thought that He might remind them of His forgiveness and love.

One lady posted that He would say, “Get off of your computer and read your Bible.”

Some of the comments made me laugh out loud, but many made me think.  So many of the remarks centered around people’s desire to hear God’s voice and sense His pleasure.  The posts were filled with anticipation of hearing God confirm in them what they were fighting to believe about themselves and His acceptance/affection.

I came away reminded that many people long to draw close to God and hear His whispers, but many don’t know how.  They don’t realize that He does inspire, encourage, and lead.  And, although He many never post on your Facebook, He is a fan of yours, longs for a deep relationship, and wants you to know His heart.

Today, I want to encourage you to take some time to remove distractions and just talk to God…even more than that, let God talk to you.  Let Him draw close to your heart and hold you tight.

He is with you right now and He is crazy about you.  Listen for His support and His motivation.

Oh, and don’t forget to read your Bible.  It is more than just a book, it is one of the ways that God can speak directly to you.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  James 4:8

Where are the Warriors?

“If you are willing to commit your life to changing the world with and through the gospel of Jesus Christ, I want you to get out of your seat and join me on the floor of this auditorium.”  Dr. Bill Bright…former architect and lead visionary for Campus Crusade for Christ.

That was the call that launched an army.

I don’t know the venue; I don’t even know the year, but recently I heard how one man who was in attendance those many years ago was energized by that call and focused his heart to be a part of that mission.

As I listened to his story, I was really challenged.  There have been so many people who have given their lives to fulfill that cause (and not all of them were in that meeting).  Many have gone to foreign countries to carry kindness and the hope of Christ.  Others have served in churches, youth groups, nurseries, on campuses, or in para-church organizations with the mission of impacting lives one at a time.

Others have faithfully used their gifts in the business world.  They have modeled integrity, passion, humility, and character in a way that glorifies God while at the same time pointing to Him as the hope for eternity.

Many have given sacrificially to provide the financial fuel for Kingdom efforts.

Many have prayed without ceasing and connected with the heart of God in a way that softened hearts, opened closed doors, and thwarted spiritual attacks.

Because of these people…because of their sacrifice and commitment to see Christ glorified and the lost rescued, Heaven has been populated and Hell has been frustrated.

But, this morning, I am asking myself, “Is it time for a similar call to go out?  is it time for the army to find new recruits and the numbers to be rekindled?

In my Spirit, I believe it is…

It is time for others to join the cause…so this call goes out to those would-be-warriors that are not engaged in God’s Kingdom advancement strategies.

It is time to live with greater purpose…greater urgency.

It is time that we realize lives are at stake and opportunities to reach them are numerous.

it is time to invest our time in things that matter instead of wasting it all on things that don’t.

“If you are willing to commit your life to changing the world with and through the gospel of Jesus Christ, I want you to get engaged.”

It is time for us to take our place and take the unchanging message of Jesus Christ to the lost and hurting in this world.

May future generations declare with appreciation…”Those warriors were faith-filled and they were faithful.”

 

He is amazing…

Don’t know about yours, but my God is faithful…He is good, and He is powerful. He is the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, and the only god worthy of a capital “G”. He is magnificent, spectacular, and unshakable…He is one God in three persons and He is still active in lives today.