Isaiah 14:12-14
"How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations!
"But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' "
I helped someone find this passage the other night and realized I hadn't thought about it in while. So, naturally, that got me thinking about it. One word comes to mind: yeah, that one. Pride.
Let's face it, pride is it; the big one. Pride says, "I know what I'm doing. I know better than you, God. I'm doing this for me, all the while telling everyone it's for You, when deep down I know better. I'll give the impression that You are behind this when actually I'm behind it. And I do this so well that I actually believe it myself."
How is that any different from what Satan did? Isn't it all blasphemy, just the same? Isn't that substituting ourselves for God? Yep. I'm afraid it is. God will give us warnings to try to wake us up to our rebellion. He gave me several. Take it from me, don't ignore the warnings.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
No Equal
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare Me? Or who is My equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Amen.
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare Me? Or who is My equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Amen.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fear.
Are you afraid of anything? I don't mean boogey-men, monsters under the bed, spiders (eeek!), or the dark. I mean deep down there is something that you know you just cannot face,some situation in your life that makes you ball up when you think of it. Sure you are. I am so I hope you are or I'm just a wuss.
Fear has kept me from doing something for a long time, something that needs to be done. Oh, I've already gone through the whole "God hasn't burdened me" thing. Funny how God gets more blame than glory most of the time. I have looked for any reason I can think of to get out of it but, the simple fact is, I must confront my fear. When, I don't know. The timing is up to God but I must commit to Him that I will take His opportunity when it comes. The real fear? The consequences.
We want guarantees, don't we? I admit I do. But faith isn't about guaranteed outcomes. Faith, real mountain-moving, God-glorifying faith is about knowing that the outcome is His. He will handle the details. Honestly, I am terrified of what will happen because my faith is that weak. I am ashamed. But neither I, nor you, should fear when we are trusting God. At church Sunday, the preacher said, "God wants to help you, not harm you." Those words rang in my ears for a while. I know this but it was as if he were saying it directly to me. What God wants for me will happen if I am faithful to Him and follow His guidance. The choices others make can affect that but He restores us. He doesn't throw up His hands and say, "Sorry. Didn't work out." No, no, no, no, no. He loves us. I repeat, He loves us. What He wants is for us to put our faith out there, take a step and watch Him work, regardless of the consequences.
Like Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc., follow Him and "He will direct our paths." Maybe, like me, you need to speak up. Maybe you have an ultimatum to give, or maybe you have to stop drifting and turn around and face God. It doesn't matter. He loves you. And He will not contradict His word, which says:
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18)
There you have it. "Perfect love drives out fear." No gray area there. It's His word, and that is absolute.
Fear has kept me from doing something for a long time, something that needs to be done. Oh, I've already gone through the whole "God hasn't burdened me" thing. Funny how God gets more blame than glory most of the time. I have looked for any reason I can think of to get out of it but, the simple fact is, I must confront my fear. When, I don't know. The timing is up to God but I must commit to Him that I will take His opportunity when it comes. The real fear? The consequences.
We want guarantees, don't we? I admit I do. But faith isn't about guaranteed outcomes. Faith, real mountain-moving, God-glorifying faith is about knowing that the outcome is His. He will handle the details. Honestly, I am terrified of what will happen because my faith is that weak. I am ashamed. But neither I, nor you, should fear when we are trusting God. At church Sunday, the preacher said, "God wants to help you, not harm you." Those words rang in my ears for a while. I know this but it was as if he were saying it directly to me. What God wants for me will happen if I am faithful to Him and follow His guidance. The choices others make can affect that but He restores us. He doesn't throw up His hands and say, "Sorry. Didn't work out." No, no, no, no, no. He loves us. I repeat, He loves us. What He wants is for us to put our faith out there, take a step and watch Him work, regardless of the consequences.
Like Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc., follow Him and "He will direct our paths." Maybe, like me, you need to speak up. Maybe you have an ultimatum to give, or maybe you have to stop drifting and turn around and face God. It doesn't matter. He loves you. And He will not contradict His word, which says:
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18)
There you have it. "Perfect love drives out fear." No gray area there. It's His word, and that is absolute.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Sweet Surrender
For all of my thirty-six years, I have heard stories and testimonies from wonderfully godly people about how they and others have turned things over to God. Some say surrender, release, let go, lay it down, and so on. I have always had trouble understanding this. I am not proud of this, mind you. I'm just being honest. I've never figured out how to do that.
Most of the issues that I've faced have been, well, crippling is the word that comes to mind. When I am troubled by something, something major, it consumes me. This is where I've been for awhile now. Until yesterday. I heard from the Lord on my lunch break. Yes, scoffers, I have been hearing from Him a lot lately and it is awesome. I am enjoying a fellowship with Him that previously I had only dreamed of. So mock me if you will but I sincerely pray for this to happen to you.
Back to yesterday. In reading a book about the power of the Holy Spirit, I was fascinated by how the first century Christians lived and walked in the Spirit. As a believer, I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me; so do you if you have trusted Christ. But what about the Spirit ON me? What about being Spirit-filled? Hmmmm.
Me? Negative. I confess that I have not been and could not be filled with the Spirit because my heart has been filled with other things. Our hearts are not limitless. There is only so much room in there and the space has to be shared. Some months ago I rid my heart of many things that were, frankly, in God's way. I had chosen to devote only some of my heart to Him. Yesterday, He spoke to me and asked when I was going to release that one last thing. "What?? You mean actually turn loose of it? But I want it. I believe You want me to want it. We've talked about this, God. You gave me these desires, now you want me to give up?"
Then God said, "No. Don't ever give up on what I give you. Just give in...to Me."
Then the Word came:
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements, since you know?" Job 38:4,5
Then I said:
"I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Job 42:3
So, surrendered I am. Wow. I am free to be me again, the me that God wants, only now with His desires in place. And I have freed Him to do want He wants, in me and around me. Total surrender clears the way for the Spirit. His promise is that I will have those desires that are His desires. This is the awakening.
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20, 21
Most of the issues that I've faced have been, well, crippling is the word that comes to mind. When I am troubled by something, something major, it consumes me. This is where I've been for awhile now. Until yesterday. I heard from the Lord on my lunch break. Yes, scoffers, I have been hearing from Him a lot lately and it is awesome. I am enjoying a fellowship with Him that previously I had only dreamed of. So mock me if you will but I sincerely pray for this to happen to you.
Back to yesterday. In reading a book about the power of the Holy Spirit, I was fascinated by how the first century Christians lived and walked in the Spirit. As a believer, I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me; so do you if you have trusted Christ. But what about the Spirit ON me? What about being Spirit-filled? Hmmmm.
Me? Negative. I confess that I have not been and could not be filled with the Spirit because my heart has been filled with other things. Our hearts are not limitless. There is only so much room in there and the space has to be shared. Some months ago I rid my heart of many things that were, frankly, in God's way. I had chosen to devote only some of my heart to Him. Yesterday, He spoke to me and asked when I was going to release that one last thing. "What?? You mean actually turn loose of it? But I want it. I believe You want me to want it. We've talked about this, God. You gave me these desires, now you want me to give up?"
Then God said, "No. Don't ever give up on what I give you. Just give in...to Me."
Then the Word came:
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements, since you know?" Job 38:4,5
Then I said:
"I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Job 42:3
So, surrendered I am. Wow. I am free to be me again, the me that God wants, only now with His desires in place. And I have freed Him to do want He wants, in me and around me. Total surrender clears the way for the Spirit. His promise is that I will have those desires that are His desires. This is the awakening.
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20, 21
I deserve this.
For all of you "I told you so" types, you are right. I am saying it now to keep you from telling me later. I just had a tooth pulled, more like pried, jerked, and yanked out of my dang head. The relief is wonderful but man does it feel nasty. I'm numb from chin to ear. Yes, this is my fault. Years of neglect and tobacco use have left my teeth in a mess. But I am taking steps, finally, to remedy all of that. Oh, and I've given up the tobacco, too. No small miracle. So, there. When I can eat again, I'll make sure it is humble pie.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Love
" The fruit of the Spirit, as you find it in Galatians, begins with love. There are nine graces spoken of in the sixth chapter, and of the nine different graces, Paul puts love at the head of the list; love is the first thing - the first in that precious cluster of fruit. Someone has put it in this way: that all the other eight can be put in the word "love." Joy is love exulting; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love on trial; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love at school; and temperance is love in training. So it is love all the way; love at the top; love at the bottom, and all the way along down these graces."
From "Secret Power" by D.L. Moody
I have been learning alot about love lately. I think Moody's words sum it up. Love never fails.
From "Secret Power" by D.L. Moody
I have been learning alot about love lately. I think Moody's words sum it up. Love never fails.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Go or Whoa?
Dilemma - at what point do we toss in the towel? How long do we beat our heads against a wall before we admit defeat and concede that the wall is just never going to crumble?
As I pray, fast, ponder, meditate, and over-analyze, I find this question doesn't have a cut and dried answer. Let's take a closer look at the wall. We'll call it "Stubborn" from now on.
For self-doubting me, I always end up questioning if Stubborn came from God. So that's the real question, isn't it? Because if Stubborn came from God then, of course, the towel is never thrown in until He says it is. We don't walk away from obedience just because it gets tough or seems to be going against us. With that established, we can now focus on who brought Stubborn to us.
James 1:17 tells us every good thing comes from above. Is Stubborn good? Only if "it":
As I pray, fast, ponder, meditate, and over-analyze, I find this question doesn't have a cut and dried answer. Let's take a closer look at the wall. We'll call it "Stubborn" from now on.
For self-doubting me, I always end up questioning if Stubborn came from God. So that's the real question, isn't it? Because if Stubborn came from God then, of course, the towel is never thrown in until He says it is. We don't walk away from obedience just because it gets tough or seems to be going against us. With that established, we can now focus on who brought Stubborn to us.
James 1:17 tells us every good thing comes from above. Is Stubborn good? Only if "it":
- glorifies God
- increases our desire to know Him more
- intensifies our walk
- leads us to recognition of our sin and repentance
- gives us a greater peace with God
- most importantly, agrees with God's Word
What about the other option? Satan wants to weigh in on this, too. Maybe Stubborn:
- doesn't resemble God
- keeps us from the things of God and causes us to drift away
- interferes with our service and worship
- leads us to compromise and acceptance of our sin
- causes strife, with God and others
- most importantly, is in opposition to God's Word
Hmm. That clears things up a bit. I'm just thinking out loud here. But I think I'll keep trying that wall. God says it will crumble.
The inmates are running the asylum.
So I have just finished up some committee work for church and can't help wondering, "who the crap do we think we are"? I've been reviewing e-mails that pertain to a situation that occurred before I was on the committee. Apparently the situation may be revisited so I needed to be brought up to speed. Well, lucky me! Eye-opener to say the least.
I'm terribly disappointed in the existing leadership, or so it's called. What is it about being on a committee that makes someone power trip as soon as they are elected? IT'S JUST A COMMITTEE, FOLKS!!! It is called serving. You know, like Jesus did!?! You remember Him, don't you? Son of God, spotless lamb, died for our sins and all that? He came to serve, said that Himself. So why do we think we are here to rule?
Committees are necessary. Call them teams if you want to. The truth is when you have 300 people together you have to delegate duties and responsibilities. Nothing wrong with that. But if it causes you to think you are the leader of the free world then SCRAM! Check yourself, judge yourself.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned."
"...For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Alright, I think I'm better now. Sorry for venting. No, actually I'm not. That's what this blog is for. But here's free advice and it comes straight from the Word of God:
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal inetersts, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3,4)
I'm terribly disappointed in the existing leadership, or so it's called. What is it about being on a committee that makes someone power trip as soon as they are elected? IT'S JUST A COMMITTEE, FOLKS!!! It is called serving. You know, like Jesus did!?! You remember Him, don't you? Son of God, spotless lamb, died for our sins and all that? He came to serve, said that Himself. So why do we think we are here to rule?
Committees are necessary. Call them teams if you want to. The truth is when you have 300 people together you have to delegate duties and responsibilities. Nothing wrong with that. But if it causes you to think you are the leader of the free world then SCRAM! Check yourself, judge yourself.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned."
"...For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Alright, I think I'm better now. Sorry for venting. No, actually I'm not. That's what this blog is for. But here's free advice and it comes straight from the Word of God:
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal inetersts, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3,4)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Simplicity. Oh, how I do love simplicity!
More from Spurgeon
To try to win a soul to Christ by keeping that soul in ignorance of any truth, is contrary to the mind of the Spirit; and to endeavor to save men by mere claptrap, or excitement, or oratorical display, is as foolish as to hope to hold an angel with a bird-line, or to lure a star with music. The best attraction is the gospel in its purity. The weapon with which the Lord conquers men is the truth as it is in Jesus. The gospel will be found equal to every emergency; an arrow that can pierce the hardest heart, a balm which will heal the deadliest wound. Preach it and preach nothing else. Rely implicity upon the old, old gospel. you need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough for the greatest fishes, and have meshes fine enough to hold the little ones. Spread those nets and no others, and you need not fear fulfillment of His Word, "I will make you fishers of men."
To try to win a soul to Christ by keeping that soul in ignorance of any truth, is contrary to the mind of the Spirit; and to endeavor to save men by mere claptrap, or excitement, or oratorical display, is as foolish as to hope to hold an angel with a bird-line, or to lure a star with music. The best attraction is the gospel in its purity. The weapon with which the Lord conquers men is the truth as it is in Jesus. The gospel will be found equal to every emergency; an arrow that can pierce the hardest heart, a balm which will heal the deadliest wound. Preach it and preach nothing else. Rely implicity upon the old, old gospel. you need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough for the greatest fishes, and have meshes fine enough to hold the little ones. Spread those nets and no others, and you need not fear fulfillment of His Word, "I will make you fishers of men."
Relevant, to say the least
From Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Judas was a preacher; nay, he was a foremost preacher. "He obtained part of this ministry," said the Apostle Peter. He was not simply one of the seventy; he had been selected by the Lord Himself as one of the twelve, an honorable member of the college of the apostles. Doubtless, he had preached the gospel so that many had been gladdened by his voice, and miraculous powers had been vouchsafed to him, so that at his word, the sick had been healed, deaf ears had been opened, and the blind made to see. Nay, there is no doubt that he, who could not keep the devil out of himself, had cast devils out of others. Yet how are you fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! He that was as a prophet in the midst of the people, and spake with the tongue of the learned, whose word and wonders proved that he had been with Jesus and had learned from Him-he betrays his Master. Understand, my brethern, that no gifts can ensure grace, and that no position of honor or usefulness in the Church will necessarily prove our being true to our Lord and Master. Doubtless, there are bishops in Hell, and crowds of those who once occuied the pulpit are now condemned forever to bewail their hypocrisy. You that are Church-officers do not conclude that because you enjoy the confidence of the Church, therefore there is an absolute certainty the grace of God in you. Perhaps it is the most dangerous of all positions for a man to become well known and much respected by the religious world, and yet to be rotten at the core. To be where others can observe your faults is a healthy thing, though painful; but to live with beloved friends who would not believe it is possible for us to do wrong, and who, if they saw us err, would make excuses for us-this is to be where it is next to impossible for us ever to be aroused if our hearts be not right with God. To have a fair reputation and a false heart is to stand upon the brink of Hell.
No wonder he was called the "Prince of Preachers"
Judas was a preacher; nay, he was a foremost preacher. "He obtained part of this ministry," said the Apostle Peter. He was not simply one of the seventy; he had been selected by the Lord Himself as one of the twelve, an honorable member of the college of the apostles. Doubtless, he had preached the gospel so that many had been gladdened by his voice, and miraculous powers had been vouchsafed to him, so that at his word, the sick had been healed, deaf ears had been opened, and the blind made to see. Nay, there is no doubt that he, who could not keep the devil out of himself, had cast devils out of others. Yet how are you fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! He that was as a prophet in the midst of the people, and spake with the tongue of the learned, whose word and wonders proved that he had been with Jesus and had learned from Him-he betrays his Master. Understand, my brethern, that no gifts can ensure grace, and that no position of honor or usefulness in the Church will necessarily prove our being true to our Lord and Master. Doubtless, there are bishops in Hell, and crowds of those who once occuied the pulpit are now condemned forever to bewail their hypocrisy. You that are Church-officers do not conclude that because you enjoy the confidence of the Church, therefore there is an absolute certainty the grace of God in you. Perhaps it is the most dangerous of all positions for a man to become well known and much respected by the religious world, and yet to be rotten at the core. To be where others can observe your faults is a healthy thing, though painful; but to live with beloved friends who would not believe it is possible for us to do wrong, and who, if they saw us err, would make excuses for us-this is to be where it is next to impossible for us ever to be aroused if our hearts be not right with God. To have a fair reputation and a false heart is to stand upon the brink of Hell.
No wonder he was called the "Prince of Preachers"
Friday, October 3, 2008
Awakening
Webster's defines awake as: to cease sleeping, to become aroused or active again, to become conscious or aware of something; to stir up! This word has been used alot lately in my circles. Myself, the people I love, and the ministries I serve in are undergoing an awakening. What does this mean to me?
I first used this word to describe a moment I had with God a few months ago. He awakened me to many things. Mostly what a complete fool I had been by showing me my pride and selfishness. Then, my minister and dear brother Rev. Benji Fowler chose this word to title his Wednesday and Sunday night curriculum. Since then it has popped up regularly in conversation and Scripture. I have even found it in past bible studies of mine.
So what awakens us? What do we do to be awakened? First, it is God who awakens us but not through anything of our own. For me it was simply a recognition that I was drifting from Him. I didn't pray a heartfelt prayer to Him begging Him to restore me. That came later. No, I simply noticed that I was away from Him and wondered how I could get back. I had been aware all along of my actions but my pride stood in the way of admitting it. So I questioned myself and God took the ball and ran with it. I could expound all day about the whys and hows but I don't need to. He showed up and I have been changed ever since. Humility replaced pride, brokenness replaced selfishness, and most importantly, love replaced fear. (1 John 4:18)
Now I seek to obey, to follow and not lead. I have a new freedom that is based on forgiveness. I don't feel guilty for my actions anymore. My sensitivity to the Spirit is heightened and I make no decisions without prayerful consideration and an earnest desire to please God. Yes, I do fail frequently. Self-doubt is my worst enemy. But God is faithful. He has given me love, new love. He has awakened me.
I first used this word to describe a moment I had with God a few months ago. He awakened me to many things. Mostly what a complete fool I had been by showing me my pride and selfishness. Then, my minister and dear brother Rev. Benji Fowler chose this word to title his Wednesday and Sunday night curriculum. Since then it has popped up regularly in conversation and Scripture. I have even found it in past bible studies of mine.
So what awakens us? What do we do to be awakened? First, it is God who awakens us but not through anything of our own. For me it was simply a recognition that I was drifting from Him. I didn't pray a heartfelt prayer to Him begging Him to restore me. That came later. No, I simply noticed that I was away from Him and wondered how I could get back. I had been aware all along of my actions but my pride stood in the way of admitting it. So I questioned myself and God took the ball and ran with it. I could expound all day about the whys and hows but I don't need to. He showed up and I have been changed ever since. Humility replaced pride, brokenness replaced selfishness, and most importantly, love replaced fear. (1 John 4:18)
Now I seek to obey, to follow and not lead. I have a new freedom that is based on forgiveness. I don't feel guilty for my actions anymore. My sensitivity to the Spirit is heightened and I make no decisions without prayerful consideration and an earnest desire to please God. Yes, I do fail frequently. Self-doubt is my worst enemy. But God is faithful. He has given me love, new love. He has awakened me.
SMACKED!
Have you ever had an experience, a moment, that you just knew you were in the crosshairs of God? I've had two. Recently. "What the crap?", I say. "Isn't this supposed to be for those men of God? Those ordained men who pray and fast and seek God 24/7 ?"
Apparently not. Last night as I was turning in, I had a feeling that I needed to pray a little harder. So I did. I simply told God that I wanted to be a little nearer to Him. Not much, just a small portion more. He obliged. Within seconds I was face down and "the word of the Lord came to Chuck." Hardcore.
In the following moments I was torn to shreds, spiritually, by the overwhelming conviction that Jesus bled and died, suffered a horrific death for.....me. No kidding, right? I mean, this was nothing new to me. I was saved at seven years of age, and , even through my wandering years, I professed Him. I know the crucifixion forward and back. So why did God choose to remind me of His gift? Don't know. Doesn't really matter.
What matters is that God "...created in me a clean heart and renewed a steadfast spirit within me. He restored to me the joy of His salvation" (Psalm 51:10, 12). That's what it feels like to me, anyway.
Next, I was pelted with burdens. Prayer burdens for all manner of things. Some I had been praying fervently for months. This time I was praying them differently. Other things were new. My church, for instance, is going through a tough time. I found myself crying out to God to break hearts in my church the way he had, or has, broken mine. And the big deal about all of this isn't me, (shucks). It is that when I was done, He was done, and I was finally drifting off to sleep, I had the impression that God was saying, " I'm coming to Stock Creek. Got some things I want to do."
Holy Father, thank You for Jesus and His willingness to be the perfect sacrifice, the final sacrifice. Thank You for looking down on me in Your infinite love and blessing me with a new and fresh perspective on why and how I am yours. I praise You for all things and right now especially for knowing that You are on the way, in Your time. Keep me close and hear the burdens and desires of my heart. In Jesus' name.
Apparently not. Last night as I was turning in, I had a feeling that I needed to pray a little harder. So I did. I simply told God that I wanted to be a little nearer to Him. Not much, just a small portion more. He obliged. Within seconds I was face down and "the word of the Lord came to Chuck." Hardcore.
In the following moments I was torn to shreds, spiritually, by the overwhelming conviction that Jesus bled and died, suffered a horrific death for.....me. No kidding, right? I mean, this was nothing new to me. I was saved at seven years of age, and , even through my wandering years, I professed Him. I know the crucifixion forward and back. So why did God choose to remind me of His gift? Don't know. Doesn't really matter.
What matters is that God "...created in me a clean heart and renewed a steadfast spirit within me. He restored to me the joy of His salvation" (Psalm 51:10, 12). That's what it feels like to me, anyway.
Next, I was pelted with burdens. Prayer burdens for all manner of things. Some I had been praying fervently for months. This time I was praying them differently. Other things were new. My church, for instance, is going through a tough time. I found myself crying out to God to break hearts in my church the way he had, or has, broken mine. And the big deal about all of this isn't me, (shucks). It is that when I was done, He was done, and I was finally drifting off to sleep, I had the impression that God was saying, " I'm coming to Stock Creek. Got some things I want to do."
Holy Father, thank You for Jesus and His willingness to be the perfect sacrifice, the final sacrifice. Thank You for looking down on me in Your infinite love and blessing me with a new and fresh perspective on why and how I am yours. I praise You for all things and right now especially for knowing that You are on the way, in Your time. Keep me close and hear the burdens and desires of my heart. In Jesus' name.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Welcome, me.
I am certainly no writer. However, I always seem to have much to say about everything and I've always been told that I am extremely opinionated. This blog is simply a place for me to voice those opinions. Hopefully truths more than opinions, since my aim is to write on spiritual matters. It is my hope that someone at some point will find these helpful or at the very least cause for meditation.
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