As I was sitting here studying faith, I came across the story of Jairus. Jairus was a father who's daughter was very ill. He went to Jesus and asked Jesus to come to his house to pray for his daughter. Jesus said yes. You can imagine that Jairus must have been so excited! The word on the street is that if Jesus prays, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see...so surely Jesus can help his little girl.
As they are on the way, another person who has also heard about Jesus decides to use her faith. She touches Jesus' garment believing that one touch will bring her healing. Jesus stops in his tracks because He feels power leave Him. Power only leaves when someone uses FAITH! He listens to her story...she has been sick for 12 years...struggling with an issue of blood. She's been to the best doctors, tried the home remedies and spent all of her money, but she's still bleeding. Then she hears about Jesus and all his great works so she decides that she will believe. Her faith causes her to leave her home even though law forbids it because she bleeding. Her faith gives her the strength to press through the crowd even though constantly losing blood makes her weak...in faith she pressed on. She touches Jesus and she is healed! Jesus doesn't rush her...He lets her tells her story. Her faith makes him happy. FINALLY she finishes.
While this is happening, I'm sure that Jairus must have had a mixture of emotions. Slightly irritated that she took this moment to use her faith...after all Jesus is headed to is house. Excited because watching Jesus perform miracle for this women built his confidence...his daughter would be healed. Just as the woman wraps up her thank yous, Jairus feels a tug on his robe, He turns to find his servant. Before the servant speaks a word, the look on his face reveals the news. "Master...no need to trouble the Rabbi....your daughter is dead." Can you imagine the emotions and thoughts that must have flooded Jairus' mind? So close, but not close enough. If only the woman hadn't come? If I had sought the Lord earlier, but before Jairus can utter a word...Jesus says, "Do not be seized with fear or alarm simply believe that I am able to do this and she shall be made well."
Jairus was in the same place that many of us face....God has given us a Word, but the circumstances make that promise seem impossible. What would he do? Even though Jesus was the healer, whether healing made it to Jairus' daughter was based on Jairus...not Jesus. Would he, could he dare to believe that Jesus could still do something. Jairus was a smart man, instead of allowing his emotions to control him, he held on to what Jesus said. He chose to "simply believe"
He believed as he encountered all the people seeking to comfort him. He believed when his wife meet him with tears streaming down her faith. He believed when Jesus told the people the little girl was sleeping and they mocked him. He believed as he walked into the room with Jesus, his wife and the disciples and saw her laying there....clearly dead...
He believed and right before his eyes the impossible became a reality...His little girl woke up!
The lesson we can learn from Jairus is that sometimes you just have to be quiet. You're too emotional to say what God has said so you just have to focus on His promise. You have to be willing to ignore the people who think you are crazy or in denial and even those who mock you. You have to stay focused on what God has said. If you do...you will see...Just like Jairus...
The walk is faith is this...simply believe....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
God and Money
“Above all I wish that you would prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
God wants His children to prosper in every area including financially. God knows that the world we live in requires money. It takes money to provide a home for your family, money to feed and clothe your family, money to get fuel to go to work. Money is important. Yet, so many believers falsely believe that God is somehow “anti” money. It probably started with this mistranslation “Money is the root of all evil.” The scripture actually says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) This means that the wrong relationship with money is the root of all evil. What’s the wrong relationship with money? It is to trust in money; to exalt it has the number one priority. God should be Number One not money. In fact He tells us that if we seek Him, learn His ways and faithfully follow them, He will add all the things we need to us. (Matthew 6:33)
If God is willing to add things and money to us, then having money and things can’t be wrong. God wants us to seek Him for what we need. He wants to prosper us financially, but He wants us to see Him has our security not the money. Many have thought that being broke is the way to see God has our security, but most poor people spend more time thinking about money than rich people. A poor man is consumed with the thoughts of money because there is never enough. He is constantly thinking of ways to stretch what he has or looking for ways to get more. The man who has more than enough doesn’t have to be consumed with thoughts of money all day because the money is there to be used. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that there are people who have money who are just as controlled by it as people without. My point is that having money or not having money doesn’t make you more God focused, but being God focused can get rid of your money troubles.
“I have given you the power to get wealth.” (Deut 8:18) “Wealth and riches shall be in your house.” (Psalm 112:3) “I will increase you more and more, you and your children.” Psalm 115:14 “My God shall supply your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phill 4:19)
I think my favorite prosperity scripture is “The blessing of the Lord makes us rich and adds no sorrow.” (Proverbs 10:22) When God empowers us to get wealth it causes us to prosper without the sorrow. There are many people who have money, but they work all the time and never see their spouses or children…that is sorrow. Or they spend so much time climbing the corporate ladder that they never have time for a spouse or a family…that is sorrow. Or they work themselves into bad health and an early grave…that is sorrow.
Isaiah 48:17 – God will teach us to profit. God knows how to increase and experience prosperity without destroying a person’s health, relationships or peace of mind. So why don’t more people do things God’s way? They either don’t know or they don’t believe. The bible says that the wisdom of God is foolishness to men. God on purpose chose a system of increase that is a direct contradict to our natural minds. It is the system to seedtime and harvest. “Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” Luke 6:38
Malachi 3 –“Bring me the tithe and I’ll open up the heavens and empower you to prosper and I’ll keep the devil from stealing the fruit of your labor” (Author’s paraphrase. Because God’s system of increase is based on giving in a world that focused on receiving many Christians miss out. They spend their years struggling because they think they can’t afford to give or they are so concerned about what the preacher will do with the money. You can’t afford not to give. Giving in accordance with the Word, keep Heaven connected to your finances and Heaven NEVER has a recession. It keeps God pouring out ideas that will cause you to prosper no matter what is going on in the economy.
As far as the preacher wanting your money…if you don’t trust your pastor…find a new church! The kingdom operates by authority. God has set people to teach you how to operate in the kingdom…if you don’t trust the person who is teaching you…it will not work. According to Ephesians the apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers are here to help believers develop and grow. If you don’t trust your pastor how can he/she help you develop in faith?
The way to know whether your pastor is teaching you right is get in the Word yourself, spend time in prayer yourself and learn to be led by the Holy Spirit yourself! Often people reject something like the message of prosperity because it’s contrary to what they have previously been taught, but before you decide God’s will isn’t prosperity you should search the Word for yourself!
In this hour that we live it, I take great comfort in knowing that God is concerned about my financial needs. Learning to trust God to provide didn’t happen overnight, but it’s a process of spending time in the Word and spending time. Others can encourage you, but ultimately believing God is a choice you have to make and a journey you have to take.
God wants His children to prosper in every area including financially. God knows that the world we live in requires money. It takes money to provide a home for your family, money to feed and clothe your family, money to get fuel to go to work. Money is important. Yet, so many believers falsely believe that God is somehow “anti” money. It probably started with this mistranslation “Money is the root of all evil.” The scripture actually says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) This means that the wrong relationship with money is the root of all evil. What’s the wrong relationship with money? It is to trust in money; to exalt it has the number one priority. God should be Number One not money. In fact He tells us that if we seek Him, learn His ways and faithfully follow them, He will add all the things we need to us. (Matthew 6:33)
If God is willing to add things and money to us, then having money and things can’t be wrong. God wants us to seek Him for what we need. He wants to prosper us financially, but He wants us to see Him has our security not the money. Many have thought that being broke is the way to see God has our security, but most poor people spend more time thinking about money than rich people. A poor man is consumed with the thoughts of money because there is never enough. He is constantly thinking of ways to stretch what he has or looking for ways to get more. The man who has more than enough doesn’t have to be consumed with thoughts of money all day because the money is there to be used. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that there are people who have money who are just as controlled by it as people without. My point is that having money or not having money doesn’t make you more God focused, but being God focused can get rid of your money troubles.
“I have given you the power to get wealth.” (Deut 8:18) “Wealth and riches shall be in your house.” (Psalm 112:3) “I will increase you more and more, you and your children.” Psalm 115:14 “My God shall supply your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phill 4:19)
I think my favorite prosperity scripture is “The blessing of the Lord makes us rich and adds no sorrow.” (Proverbs 10:22) When God empowers us to get wealth it causes us to prosper without the sorrow. There are many people who have money, but they work all the time and never see their spouses or children…that is sorrow. Or they spend so much time climbing the corporate ladder that they never have time for a spouse or a family…that is sorrow. Or they work themselves into bad health and an early grave…that is sorrow.
Isaiah 48:17 – God will teach us to profit. God knows how to increase and experience prosperity without destroying a person’s health, relationships or peace of mind. So why don’t more people do things God’s way? They either don’t know or they don’t believe. The bible says that the wisdom of God is foolishness to men. God on purpose chose a system of increase that is a direct contradict to our natural minds. It is the system to seedtime and harvest. “Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” Luke 6:38
Malachi 3 –“Bring me the tithe and I’ll open up the heavens and empower you to prosper and I’ll keep the devil from stealing the fruit of your labor” (Author’s paraphrase. Because God’s system of increase is based on giving in a world that focused on receiving many Christians miss out. They spend their years struggling because they think they can’t afford to give or they are so concerned about what the preacher will do with the money. You can’t afford not to give. Giving in accordance with the Word, keep Heaven connected to your finances and Heaven NEVER has a recession. It keeps God pouring out ideas that will cause you to prosper no matter what is going on in the economy.
As far as the preacher wanting your money…if you don’t trust your pastor…find a new church! The kingdom operates by authority. God has set people to teach you how to operate in the kingdom…if you don’t trust the person who is teaching you…it will not work. According to Ephesians the apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers are here to help believers develop and grow. If you don’t trust your pastor how can he/she help you develop in faith?
The way to know whether your pastor is teaching you right is get in the Word yourself, spend time in prayer yourself and learn to be led by the Holy Spirit yourself! Often people reject something like the message of prosperity because it’s contrary to what they have previously been taught, but before you decide God’s will isn’t prosperity you should search the Word for yourself!
In this hour that we live it, I take great comfort in knowing that God is concerned about my financial needs. Learning to trust God to provide didn’t happen overnight, but it’s a process of spending time in the Word and spending time. Others can encourage you, but ultimately believing God is a choice you have to make and a journey you have to take.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Do you have a Champion Mentality?
In my mind, winning and Christianity go hand in hand. A Christian who goes through life defeated by sin, the enemy and the world has truly missed the point of what Jesus gave us through his death and resurrection. Jesus defeated sin and satan - that's winning! He then empowered each of us with the ability to overcome the circumstances of life. He is endowed us with strength, wisdom, knowledge and grace (just to name a few) & with this incredible arsenal of tools, there is no way that we should lose! Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)
So why are so many Christians going through life defeated? I think the answer is found in Romans 12:2. We are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we may prove God's good, perfect and acceptable will for our lives. Unless we change our thinking, we will live beneath our God given potential. First we need to understand that God has given us EVERYTHING we need to succeed in life! Whatever skills, character traits, special abilities we need to have be victorious God has already given them to us. But we are responsible for the develop of those gifts. We must resist the urge to "wait on God" when we define this as doing nothing until He does something. After we have heard the Word and studied the Word we must DO the Word. Here's an example Proverbs 22:29 says that a man diligent in business will stand before great men. If doesn't say that a Christian will stand before great men, it says a diligent man will stand before great men. So if I am a teacher, I don't get promotion because I am Christian, but because I am diligent. Diligence means that I work at my craft. Sadly many believers think that favor should cause us to move to the front of the line even when we are unprepared. Our diligence and commitment to excellence opens the door for favor to work on our behalf.
To demand more of ourselves is the mindset of a champion. This commitment is not just about work or school, but it should invade every area of our lives. If we are married, we should work to make our marriage the best it can be. We should never be satisfied with an "average" relationship. We should always look for ways to enhance our communication, our intimacy and our play times. The goal of a champion is to be the best, to consistently bring our A game. If we are single we should make the most out of that experience as well. We should maximize every season of our lives and refuse to buy into the mindset that we are limited because we are single or married, we are only limited by our lack of creativity...which by the way creativity is another gift God has given us.
If we are in school, we should give our all. We should refuse to go through the motions of just going to class. We should demand that we show up to every class prepared and ready to learn. If we work, we should resist the urge to be ungrateful. Thankfulness is another trait we are responsible for developing. If we no longer like our jobs, we are still required as champions to bring our best. We always have the option of pursuing other opportunities, but continued complaining is not the mark of Christian, Champions or excellence.
Finally, spiritual growth doesn't just happen. Accepting Jesus is the first step but learning to live in the kingdom is continual process. This is the reason we shouldn't neglect our personal study time or our weekly fellowship. It does matter where you go to church! You need to find a place that doesn't make you feel bad all the time, but you also need a place that doesn't make you feel good all the time. You should be encouraged, stretched and challenged to consistently offer Jesus the best you have in every area of your life. Constantly requiring more of yourself in your character equips you to overcome the challenges and attacks the enemy will certainly bring your way. A committment to winning and excellence will give you the internal fortitude you need to keep going even when times are tough.
Here's a personal challenge - at the end of every day ask yourself one question "Did I bring my A game today?" A true champion will honestly answer yes way more than they answer no!
So why are so many Christians going through life defeated? I think the answer is found in Romans 12:2. We are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we may prove God's good, perfect and acceptable will for our lives. Unless we change our thinking, we will live beneath our God given potential. First we need to understand that God has given us EVERYTHING we need to succeed in life! Whatever skills, character traits, special abilities we need to have be victorious God has already given them to us. But we are responsible for the develop of those gifts. We must resist the urge to "wait on God" when we define this as doing nothing until He does something. After we have heard the Word and studied the Word we must DO the Word. Here's an example Proverbs 22:29 says that a man diligent in business will stand before great men. If doesn't say that a Christian will stand before great men, it says a diligent man will stand before great men. So if I am a teacher, I don't get promotion because I am Christian, but because I am diligent. Diligence means that I work at my craft. Sadly many believers think that favor should cause us to move to the front of the line even when we are unprepared. Our diligence and commitment to excellence opens the door for favor to work on our behalf.
To demand more of ourselves is the mindset of a champion. This commitment is not just about work or school, but it should invade every area of our lives. If we are married, we should work to make our marriage the best it can be. We should never be satisfied with an "average" relationship. We should always look for ways to enhance our communication, our intimacy and our play times. The goal of a champion is to be the best, to consistently bring our A game. If we are single we should make the most out of that experience as well. We should maximize every season of our lives and refuse to buy into the mindset that we are limited because we are single or married, we are only limited by our lack of creativity...which by the way creativity is another gift God has given us.
If we are in school, we should give our all. We should refuse to go through the motions of just going to class. We should demand that we show up to every class prepared and ready to learn. If we work, we should resist the urge to be ungrateful. Thankfulness is another trait we are responsible for developing. If we no longer like our jobs, we are still required as champions to bring our best. We always have the option of pursuing other opportunities, but continued complaining is not the mark of Christian, Champions or excellence.
Finally, spiritual growth doesn't just happen. Accepting Jesus is the first step but learning to live in the kingdom is continual process. This is the reason we shouldn't neglect our personal study time or our weekly fellowship. It does matter where you go to church! You need to find a place that doesn't make you feel bad all the time, but you also need a place that doesn't make you feel good all the time. You should be encouraged, stretched and challenged to consistently offer Jesus the best you have in every area of your life. Constantly requiring more of yourself in your character equips you to overcome the challenges and attacks the enemy will certainly bring your way. A committment to winning and excellence will give you the internal fortitude you need to keep going even when times are tough.
Here's a personal challenge - at the end of every day ask yourself one question "Did I bring my A game today?" A true champion will honestly answer yes way more than they answer no!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Your time for deliverance is NOW!
Everybody has issues right? We're all dealing with something from our past, maybe our present that keeps us from experiencing the abundant life Jesus has for us. So how to we get past our issues?
First, we realize that Jesus died to set us free from every weapon of the enemy. Not just the visible enemies of sickness and poverty, but the silent killers...depression, anger, low self esteem, trust issues...whatever it is...Jesus has handled it.
Second, recognize that is Jesus has paid the price for my freedom, then walking around in bondage of any kind is unacceptable. Begin to expect freedom! Refuse to accept any issues as normal. According to Colossians 1:13-14, those who accept Jesus are translated out of darkness into the kingdom of God...It's a kingdom of love. A place of acceptance, freedom and peace. That's your inheritance!
Third, realize that deliverance begins with a decision, but is fully realized through God encounters. I must make a decision to refuse to accept anything less than what was purchased for me through the Cross and Resurrection. Then I must come to Jesus expecting Him make that deliverance a reality in my life. Trying to will myself into a place of wholeness is nothing more than secular humanism. I'm not my own God...I can't deliver myself. I can't control my mind enough to push away the pain of my past. I can manage it through controlling my mind, but managing isn't freedom...it's management.
Finally, go to God. I can't tell God what I think He wants to hear. I have to admit whatever it is. I have to pour my heart about before Him not complaining, but expecting Him to heal my heart. I must trust that if my heart is too broken to be repaired...He will give me a new one.
Luke 18 paints the picture of how we should come to God. It's the story of a woman who has been taken advantage of by an enemy. She goes to the king and ask him to avenge her...deliver her of her bondage...the king is wicked so he ignores her, but she's so persistent in her requests that finally he relents and gives her what she needs. She keeps coming because she knows the king is the only one who can make her whole. The point of the story is the woman's attitude. Is that the attitude we have about our issues? Are we consistent and persistent in our approach to God because we know He's the only one who can deliver us or are we content to manage our issues with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, brainless tv or whatever else we use to dummy the pain?
Come and keep on coming to God. Not because you have to convince Him to set you free, but because sometimes deliverance comes in layers b/c our pain is so deep in our hearts. Come expecting, believing and confident that your time for deliverance is NOW!
First, we realize that Jesus died to set us free from every weapon of the enemy. Not just the visible enemies of sickness and poverty, but the silent killers...depression, anger, low self esteem, trust issues...whatever it is...Jesus has handled it.
Second, recognize that is Jesus has paid the price for my freedom, then walking around in bondage of any kind is unacceptable. Begin to expect freedom! Refuse to accept any issues as normal. According to Colossians 1:13-14, those who accept Jesus are translated out of darkness into the kingdom of God...It's a kingdom of love. A place of acceptance, freedom and peace. That's your inheritance!
Third, realize that deliverance begins with a decision, but is fully realized through God encounters. I must make a decision to refuse to accept anything less than what was purchased for me through the Cross and Resurrection. Then I must come to Jesus expecting Him make that deliverance a reality in my life. Trying to will myself into a place of wholeness is nothing more than secular humanism. I'm not my own God...I can't deliver myself. I can't control my mind enough to push away the pain of my past. I can manage it through controlling my mind, but managing isn't freedom...it's management.
Finally, go to God. I can't tell God what I think He wants to hear. I have to admit whatever it is. I have to pour my heart about before Him not complaining, but expecting Him to heal my heart. I must trust that if my heart is too broken to be repaired...He will give me a new one.
Luke 18 paints the picture of how we should come to God. It's the story of a woman who has been taken advantage of by an enemy. She goes to the king and ask him to avenge her...deliver her of her bondage...the king is wicked so he ignores her, but she's so persistent in her requests that finally he relents and gives her what she needs. She keeps coming because she knows the king is the only one who can make her whole. The point of the story is the woman's attitude. Is that the attitude we have about our issues? Are we consistent and persistent in our approach to God because we know He's the only one who can deliver us or are we content to manage our issues with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, brainless tv or whatever else we use to dummy the pain?
Come and keep on coming to God. Not because you have to convince Him to set you free, but because sometimes deliverance comes in layers b/c our pain is so deep in our hearts. Come expecting, believing and confident that your time for deliverance is NOW!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Happy 2010
Hope everyone is off to a great start in 2010! Remember that God loves you and that everything you need is found in His presence so make spending time with Him a priority. I love you guys and look forward to blogging this year.
Here's a link from a message I preached last Sunday. It's about love and how the love God calls us to walk in isn't learned, but downloaded through Holy Spirit. I pray you are blessed and encouraged as you watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIVU82FfY7Y
Here's a link from a message I preached last Sunday. It's about love and how the love God calls us to walk in isn't learned, but downloaded through Holy Spirit. I pray you are blessed and encouraged as you watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIVU82FfY7Y
Friday, December 11, 2009
AN OPEN INVITATION!
This week I've been reading "When Heaven Invades the Earth" by Bill Johnson. It's a MUST read for those of are hungry for more of God. As Pastor Johnson shares his insight on God's love and plan for mankind, it caused me to think...."Why did God send Jesus in the Earth?" Of course we're all familiar with John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." But what does that really mean to each of us personally?
As a parent, the thought of giving a sacrificing a child is unthinkable, but certainly not a beloved child with whom I am well pleased. What would make me sacrifice my child? Only a love that is beyond human comprehension could cause a parent to offer his/her child as a sacrifice. It's clear that God loves Jesus and is well pleased with Him, but yet He offers Him up for what? For you, for me, for every person that ever was and ever will be. God Almighty Creator of all loves each of us so passionately, so extravagantly that He took what was most precious to Him (Jesus) and offered Him as a sacrifice to redeem our right to know God not as just Creator, but as Father!
You heard me right, God Almighty desires for each of us to know Him intimately. We say things like, "God moves in mysterious ways," but His ways are only mysterious because we don't know Him. I mean don't get me wrong, we know a lot about God. We have access to more information than ever before, but reading about someone doesn't make you know them. Case in point, I can read a book about Barak Obama or Sarah Palin and gather tons of information, but I still don't know them. Unfortunately, too many believers engage God and His Word like we are gathering facts to write a report. When we do this we miss out what it means to really know Him intimately.
God is not hiding from us, but often we are running from Him. We love God, but we fear Him, like the children of Israel we want to see His provision and His miracles, but we run from His presence. Why? Because we know that in His presence we are changed! As we begin to cry out to God to know Him (not just know about Him), He by His Holy Spirit begins to reveal the things in our hearts that keep us separated from Him. To our flesh it's easier to just know about Him because we can avoid the pain of the change that intimacy with a Holy God requires. But if we choose that path we miss out of the reason that Jesus was born, died and resurrected: INTIMACY WITH GOD!
What makes Christianity different from every other religion? First it's not a religion no matter who says it is. It's an invitation into a loving relationship with the God of the Ages. Second, our God offers us an open invitation to know Him intimately as HE abides in us through the Precious Holy Spirit. Until we come to know Him by allowing Him to abide in us and give us personal experiences with Him, we will always question whether He still heals or is willing to heal. We will struggle to love Him with our whole hearts and never come close to loving others as ourselves. We will miss out on the privilege to sit in the lap of God Almighty and know what's in His heart.
Sounds like we are at a point of decision...Keep going as we are collecting facts about God but never experiencing Him or push pass the safety net of religion and dare to experience Him as He always planned? Obviously the choice is yours, but no this...every moment of your life you have an OPEN INVITATION!
As a parent, the thought of giving a sacrificing a child is unthinkable, but certainly not a beloved child with whom I am well pleased. What would make me sacrifice my child? Only a love that is beyond human comprehension could cause a parent to offer his/her child as a sacrifice. It's clear that God loves Jesus and is well pleased with Him, but yet He offers Him up for what? For you, for me, for every person that ever was and ever will be. God Almighty Creator of all loves each of us so passionately, so extravagantly that He took what was most precious to Him (Jesus) and offered Him as a sacrifice to redeem our right to know God not as just Creator, but as Father!
You heard me right, God Almighty desires for each of us to know Him intimately. We say things like, "God moves in mysterious ways," but His ways are only mysterious because we don't know Him. I mean don't get me wrong, we know a lot about God. We have access to more information than ever before, but reading about someone doesn't make you know them. Case in point, I can read a book about Barak Obama or Sarah Palin and gather tons of information, but I still don't know them. Unfortunately, too many believers engage God and His Word like we are gathering facts to write a report. When we do this we miss out what it means to really know Him intimately.
God is not hiding from us, but often we are running from Him. We love God, but we fear Him, like the children of Israel we want to see His provision and His miracles, but we run from His presence. Why? Because we know that in His presence we are changed! As we begin to cry out to God to know Him (not just know about Him), He by His Holy Spirit begins to reveal the things in our hearts that keep us separated from Him. To our flesh it's easier to just know about Him because we can avoid the pain of the change that intimacy with a Holy God requires. But if we choose that path we miss out of the reason that Jesus was born, died and resurrected: INTIMACY WITH GOD!
What makes Christianity different from every other religion? First it's not a religion no matter who says it is. It's an invitation into a loving relationship with the God of the Ages. Second, our God offers us an open invitation to know Him intimately as HE abides in us through the Precious Holy Spirit. Until we come to know Him by allowing Him to abide in us and give us personal experiences with Him, we will always question whether He still heals or is willing to heal. We will struggle to love Him with our whole hearts and never come close to loving others as ourselves. We will miss out on the privilege to sit in the lap of God Almighty and know what's in His heart.
Sounds like we are at a point of decision...Keep going as we are collecting facts about God but never experiencing Him or push pass the safety net of religion and dare to experience Him as He always planned? Obviously the choice is yours, but no this...every moment of your life you have an OPEN INVITATION!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My prayer for you!
Father,
I pray for every person that will read this prayer. Give us a desire to know You and not just know about You. By Your Spirit draw us closer to You! Transform us into the Image of Your Dear Son, Jesus!
Help us to love You more than we love our own lives.
Help us to love others as much as we love ourselves.
Help us to use our resources to build your kingdom and not our own.
Help us to flee sin instead of making excuses for it.
Help us to win the lost instead of leaving the responsibility to another.
Help us to use our talents, skills and abilities for Your Glory.
Help us to love what You love and hate what You hate.
Help us to forgive those who least deserve it as You forgive us.
Help us to love Your Word and rightly discern it.
Help us to obey as an act of love.
Help us to please You!
Help us to want You even when we don't want you!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Pass this on to a friend!
I pray for every person that will read this prayer. Give us a desire to know You and not just know about You. By Your Spirit draw us closer to You! Transform us into the Image of Your Dear Son, Jesus!
Help us to love You more than we love our own lives.
Help us to love others as much as we love ourselves.
Help us to use our resources to build your kingdom and not our own.
Help us to flee sin instead of making excuses for it.
Help us to win the lost instead of leaving the responsibility to another.
Help us to use our talents, skills and abilities for Your Glory.
Help us to love what You love and hate what You hate.
Help us to forgive those who least deserve it as You forgive us.
Help us to love Your Word and rightly discern it.
Help us to obey as an act of love.
Help us to please You!
Help us to want You even when we don't want you!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
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