Are we becoming "Christalilicly Correct"? We don't Preach ALL of the Gospel because it might offend some of the congregation. We don't talk too much about GOD because it might make some of our friends uneasy. Or, how many times have we heard, "don't sound like one of those charismatic preachers"? 2 Timothy 1:8, "So don't be ashamed of the testimony about our LORD..." Have we ever just started responding with the Gospel without "saying" it's the Gospel? You know, responding with, "a laborer is entitled to their wage; If you can't trust in small matters you can't trust in greater matters; A person who talks much does not speak the Truth; a person who talks about someone else cannot be trusted". When we quote GOD, PEOPLE LISTEN, EVEN IF IT IS NOT "CHRISTALILICLY CORRECT.
0 Comments
Poets YEARN to express their inspirations with words. Artists YEARN to capture their visions with paint. THE SPIRIT within us YEARNS to reveal the Trust, Holiness and Faith of GOD in our lives. Isaiah 26:9, "My Soul YEARNS for YOU...my SPIRIT within me earnestly seeks YOU". While none of us have the pretension of perfection, GOD has placed this YEARNING in our hearts TO DEPEND ON HIM. GOD begets GOD and YEARNING is an incomplete attempt to "reproduce" THAT WHICH IS ALREADY THERE. AMEN.
Do we TRUST GOD when it comes to us; but when it comes to those we feel responsible for, or love, do we fall FAR SHORT OF TRUST? Do we absolutely rely upon HIS integrity, ability, willingness and character to fulfill HIS Promises? When it comes to those we love, do we TRUST GOD; or do we try to help HIM out and even try to take HIS place? Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." Do we want others to "feel better" so we will "feel better"? Do we think we can do it better than GOD? Don't we know that TRUSTING GOD TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS? TRUST IS KNOWING AND SAYING, NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN GOD.
You approach someone that needs help; whether it be a car on the side of the road, a mother sitting on the sidewalk holding her child, or a homeless person asking for help. Do we reluctantly "obey" the voice inside and stop to help and then they tell you help is on the way and you can go on. THANK GOD! Thank GOD for what; that they got help or Thank GOD we didn't have to help? IT'S NOT WHAT WE DO; IT'S WHY WE DO IT. 1 Peter 4:10, "...use our gifts to serve one another, as good stewards of GOD'S Grace." When our thoughts, words and deeds are not in Harmony, there is no JOY in our actions. In the matters of Conscience, IT'S THE "WHY", NOT THE "WHAT" WE DO.
We happily claim to BELIEVE IN GOD, and yet continue to serve every evil and selfish desire. James 3:19-20, "...the devils also believe..." Does it take Courage, Self-denial, or Commitment to know GOD? Is life meaningless and shallow because we are shallow? When JESUS says, "follow ME", and we accept HIS invitation; we have new desires, we have a NEW HEART. We no longer have to make the right decisions, JUST FOLLOW. We no longer have to be anxious or even have courage, JUST FOLLOW. WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE, YOUR ACTIONS JUST FOLLOW.
To some, RAIN is soothing, it has an aromatic fragrance, a rhythmic tranquility of peace, and to some the assurance of waking up to SUN SHINNY DAYS. While to others, RAIN brings apprehension, destruction and the fear of DEATH. Likewise the Gospel brings LIFE to those who Believe; and the Gospel brings DESTRUCTION to those who Disbelieve (2 Corinthians 2:15). I LOVE THE RAINY NIGHTS, WITH THE THUNDER; AND THE LIGHTNING, LIGHTS UP THE SKIES; AND WE WAKE UP TO "SUN SHINNY DAYS", AND THE SWEET FRAGRANCE OF JESUS!
Do we do what is "unnatural" and not do what is "NATURAL"? Has it ever been revealed to us that "unnatural" is of the mind while "NATURAL" is of THE SPIRIT? Are we taught to hate, have fear and be angry until we believe that is who we are? Do we really believe that darkness is destroyed with more darkness; and that hate is destroyed with more hate? Do we live from one fear to another? Romans 5:5, "GOD'S love is there only because it has been poured out in our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT". What flows NATURALLY WITHIN US; that which is from THE SPIRIT or that which is of the mind? WE CANNOT MAKE UP OUR MINDS TO PLEASE GOD; ONLY GOD WITHIN US, PLEASES GOD.
Are our "prayers", "GOD TO DO LISTS"? Are our "prayers", "Forgive me GOD, now here's what I want YOU to do"? Have we ever had the "Revelation" that our prayers are not only confessions of our sins; but also CONFESSIONS of FAITH in GOD, DEPENDENCE on GOD, and the language of our PRAYER becomes the POWER OF OUR CONVICTIONS? Daniel 9:17, "...and for YOUR own sake, O LORD..." Should our PRAYERS desire the GLORY OF GOD more than the gratification of our wishes? Do we humbly speak with GOD, and REJOICEFULLY WAIT FOR HIM TO DO AS HE PLEASES? OUR PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED WHEN GOD DOES AS HE PLEASES.
After the Crucifixion and Burial of JESUS, two disciples, on their way to Emmaus, were walking and talking about the week's events. When JESUS appeared to the two and walked with them, they did not recognize HIM (Luke 13-33). They talked at great length about JESUS, and they didn't know they were in HIS very presence. Has JESUS, OUR RESURRECTED SAVIOR, visited with us, but we haven't recognized HIM? Do we talk about HIM, but don't know HIM? TODAY IS RESURRECTION SUNDAY, HE LIVES! TODAY IS OUR DAY!
GOD told King Saul to destroy the Amalekites and everything they owned. Saul decided to keep the BEST of the flocks and herds and offer "some" as a sacrifice to GOD. Is that the same as saying, "my way is better than GOD'S"? If everything belongs to GOD and is HIS, so there can be no "SACRIFICE" of something that is not ours? Our own "Free Will" can only belong to GOD when we give it to HIM. SACRIFICE IS FLESH, OBEDIENCE IS SPIRITUAL. 1 Samuel 15:22, "...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice". So, what brought us closer to GOD these past forty days; OUR SACRIFICES OR OUR OBEDIENCE? The ULTIMATE AND ONLY SACRIFICE we may give is the GIVING OF OUR OWN FREE WILL. "BE IT YOUR WILL, not mine..." (Mark 14:36). |
About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
Categories |