Are you a believer?
Justin Bieber has his Beliebers. "Believers" have been known in some countries as groups fully committed to a cause, often one of anarchy and anti-government. The Monkeys crooned that seeing a woman's face made them believers. Christians have long identified themselves as believers. But what does this "belief" really mean? Where does it lead?
Seminary lends itself to plenty of opportunities for questioning belief and answer questions with more questions. After three blitzkrieg months of lectures, papers and readings a person could pull out whatever hair remained and move on to another career or school just for a break. So the greatest question before a seminarian must be, "Why are you here? Why are you in school for three years of graduate work? Why not something else? Why not a different school?"
Today our professor in Church History put it to our class this way: If you don't believe the Bible, and ultimately religion, has the power to change lives, then go to law school or business school to gain advantage in the areas where worldly power lies. If your religion and your religious education is your way of gaining advantage and power for yourself you are wasting your time at seminary. Power in the world is wielded through money, law and politics. If your goal is power, advantage and control, you are better suited for law school or business school.
So, are you a believer? Am I a believer? Do we really believe the Bible has the power to change lives? Have we actually experienced a change through our search of the Scriptures and our religious education?
No, our religion cannot be grounded in experience. It must be grounded in something unchanging (i.e. the Word - Scripture/Jesus). But, interaction with the Word means simultaneous experience or action. Bonhoeffer writes, "In the gospels the very first step a man must take is an act which radically affects his whole existence." (The Cost of Discipleship, p. 65) A change must occur (immediately, according to Bonhoeffer) or the "interaction" is one-sided and pointless.
Now to stop avoiding the question...am I a believer in the Word, in His ability to change me, in His power to change others?
Some days I want to believe more than anything else. Other days I don't want to believe because of what I think it will mean for my life. There are days full of total surrender and commitment to God's plan, but there are days of personally dictating what God should and shouldn't plan. Yesterday I may have relished the change in me through the Word and today I resent it.
The Word declares itself an active change-agent. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12) "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
Jesus, the Word of God in human form, is active. He is dividing the holy from the natural and preparing it for the righteous work on earth. He is looking into what we really are, reading our thoughts and intentions, determining our motives and correcting us, pouring a foundation in the immovable Word and teaching us to search for the everlasting Kingdom of God first of all.
I am not a Be-lieber (sorry, Rich). I am not an anarchist. And though my wife's face does stir up powerful emotion and feeing, it is only Christ Himself, the Living Word, that qualifies me as a believer today. And He must everyday.
Are you a believer?
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
The True Fan
Long ago I was a "true" baseball fan. The Chicago White Sox were my favorite team with Robin Ventura at third base, Ozzie Guillen at shortstop, Ray Durham at second base and Frank Thomas, my favorite player, at first base. Living in Kansas City meant I like a division rival. (In reality I liked the White Sox just to annoy my all-KC-fan friends.) I knew statistics and followed box scores. I dreamed of playing for the White Sox and even winning the World Series wearing the white and black pin stripe jerseys.
A fan is "a person who has compulsion toward" something in particular. (reference) Thesaurus.com shows similar words: buff, devotee, enthusiast, fanatic, freak, nut and junkie. This certainly described my love of baseball, and especially the White Sox, when I was 8-11 years old. As I grew older my loyalties morphed and I've become less fanatical for specific teams and more appreciative of the sport. In the mind of the "true fans" out there, I would most likely be seen as a turn-coat or lazy fan. Maybe I'm seen as a bandwagon fan.
Where does your devotion to Jesus rank on the Christian "fan-dom" scale? Much like my evolving baseball enthusiasm my devotion to Christianity and Jesus ebbs and flows. Admittedly my commitment waxes and wanes from day to day and moment to moment. There are times I can name the players on God's team with confidence and pride. Other times I couldn't care less. And though my wavering allegiances to baseball teams means little in the long run, I recognize the importance of choosing Christ's "team" and sticking with it.
It can be difficult to look around the bench (in church we call them pews) and wondering how we could possibly win a single game, let alone a championship. Our uniforms don't match or look like their from another era. Our signals are crossed and many players seem uncoordinated or uninterested in the action on the field. In short, we are screwed. But if watching sports comeback movies has taught me anything it's that the manager makes a huge difference.
Jesus Christ has a plan for this eclectic line-up of players in His dugout. He knows where each one fits. We cannot expect to win being fair-weather fans (or players). God's long-term quest for an eternal championship will be realized. Do not cast aside your confidence in your Manager. Keep showing up to the game, playing for the right team and waiting for Jesus Christ to bring in the greatest closer of all-time.
A fan is "a person who has compulsion toward" something in particular. (reference) Thesaurus.com shows similar words: buff, devotee, enthusiast, fanatic, freak, nut and junkie. This certainly described my love of baseball, and especially the White Sox, when I was 8-11 years old. As I grew older my loyalties morphed and I've become less fanatical for specific teams and more appreciative of the sport. In the mind of the "true fans" out there, I would most likely be seen as a turn-coat or lazy fan. Maybe I'm seen as a bandwagon fan.
Where does your devotion to Jesus rank on the Christian "fan-dom" scale? Much like my evolving baseball enthusiasm my devotion to Christianity and Jesus ebbs and flows. Admittedly my commitment waxes and wanes from day to day and moment to moment. There are times I can name the players on God's team with confidence and pride. Other times I couldn't care less. And though my wavering allegiances to baseball teams means little in the long run, I recognize the importance of choosing Christ's "team" and sticking with it.
It can be difficult to look around the bench (in church we call them pews) and wondering how we could possibly win a single game, let alone a championship. Our uniforms don't match or look like their from another era. Our signals are crossed and many players seem uncoordinated or uninterested in the action on the field. In short, we are screwed. But if watching sports comeback movies has taught me anything it's that the manager makes a huge difference.
Jesus Christ has a plan for this eclectic line-up of players in His dugout. He knows where each one fits. We cannot expect to win being fair-weather fans (or players). God's long-term quest for an eternal championship will be realized. Do not cast aside your confidence in your Manager. Keep showing up to the game, playing for the right team and waiting for Jesus Christ to bring in the greatest closer of all-time.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Captured
I am enamored with Instagram. Truth be told it's not the app itself that captures my attention...pictures do.
I love looking at pictures. Funny faces, frozen faces, smiling faces, sad faces, weird faces, wild faces. Automobiles, barns, cats, dogs, ears, feet, groups, houses, igloos, jokes, kangaroos, laughter, monstrous mountains, nerdy nephews, orbiting orbs, pitchers, quacks, restrooms, saloons, toddlers, universes, valentines, washboards, exes, yokels, and the Zambezi zinger. All may be imprisoned forever.
The "magic" of photography first was recorded by Aristotle and Euclid in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. (Wikipedia makes everyone sound so stinking smart.) Societies the world over have wondered after the marvel of piece of history frozen in time. Photos are fascinating.
Pictures to me are the antithesis of a Christian's life. While pictures take hold of points in time and captures them for eternity, a Christian's life is fluid, moving, ever-changing. The enemy loves to present pictures of who we have been as evidence of why we cannot be something different. But the truth is we cannot allow points in our past define who we can/will be today. Sure, we deal with the consequences of the events recorded in the pictures of our past, but those effigies of history are forgotten by God at our request.
Thankfully our sinfulness is not (generally) plastered on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for the world's consumption. But even if it is, do not let the weight of the evidence seared in your memory cripple your walk with Jesus Christ. Your journey continues despite the pictures of the past.
I love looking at pictures. Funny faces, frozen faces, smiling faces, sad faces, weird faces, wild faces. Automobiles, barns, cats, dogs, ears, feet, groups, houses, igloos, jokes, kangaroos, laughter, monstrous mountains, nerdy nephews, orbiting orbs, pitchers, quacks, restrooms, saloons, toddlers, universes, valentines, washboards, exes, yokels, and the Zambezi zinger. All may be imprisoned forever.
The "magic" of photography first was recorded by Aristotle and Euclid in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. (Wikipedia makes everyone sound so stinking smart.) Societies the world over have wondered after the marvel of piece of history frozen in time. Photos are fascinating.
Pictures to me are the antithesis of a Christian's life. While pictures take hold of points in time and captures them for eternity, a Christian's life is fluid, moving, ever-changing. The enemy loves to present pictures of who we have been as evidence of why we cannot be something different. But the truth is we cannot allow points in our past define who we can/will be today. Sure, we deal with the consequences of the events recorded in the pictures of our past, but those effigies of history are forgotten by God at our request.
Thankfully our sinfulness is not (generally) plastered on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for the world's consumption. But even if it is, do not let the weight of the evidence seared in your memory cripple your walk with Jesus Christ. Your journey continues despite the pictures of the past.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Pure Words
"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." -Proverbs 30:5,6
Responding to people in haste or in anger means we make mistakes. Speaking in anger or haste about Scripture means our mistakes are even greater. When we speak as Christians we must realize the weight of our words and what they say about the Savior we claim to follow. Would your words represent the Jesus of the Bible? Mine don't always give a strong witness of His character.
When I became a pastor I realized something much too late: Your words carry far more weight than you realize (especially as a pastor). We should be careful what we say. Some people will count your words on par with Scripture because they know you're a Christian. Don't be flippant with your words. Don't take this lightly.
When you give advice or counsel your words should mirror Scripture. When your friends ask what you think of the world or their troubles, reference Scripture. If you realize you don't know Scripture well enough to correctly use it, you better start reading your Bible. God will give you the mind and appetite for the Word.
If we think we're quoting Scripture or understand the mystery of Godliness but we haven't actually searched the Bible ourselves we can be sure we are farther off than we think. Stop speaking words you choose yourself and start speaking the pure words of God found in Scripture. Stop making mistakes and lying in the eyes of God. Let God speak for Himself through you.
Responding to people in haste or in anger means we make mistakes. Speaking in anger or haste about Scripture means our mistakes are even greater. When we speak as Christians we must realize the weight of our words and what they say about the Savior we claim to follow. Would your words represent the Jesus of the Bible? Mine don't always give a strong witness of His character.
When I became a pastor I realized something much too late: Your words carry far more weight than you realize (especially as a pastor). We should be careful what we say. Some people will count your words on par with Scripture because they know you're a Christian. Don't be flippant with your words. Don't take this lightly.
When you give advice or counsel your words should mirror Scripture. When your friends ask what you think of the world or their troubles, reference Scripture. If you realize you don't know Scripture well enough to correctly use it, you better start reading your Bible. God will give you the mind and appetite for the Word.
If we think we're quoting Scripture or understand the mystery of Godliness but we haven't actually searched the Bible ourselves we can be sure we are farther off than we think. Stop speaking words you choose yourself and start speaking the pure words of God found in Scripture. Stop making mistakes and lying in the eyes of God. Let God speak for Himself through you.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Beatitudinal Adjustment: The Hungry and Thirsty
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." -Matthew 5:6
Jesus stood on the mountainside and told a ragtag group of poor folks they should hunger and thirst for righteousness. They were well acquainted with hunger. Many of them would follow Jesus across the lake after He fed them from a little boy's brown bag lunch of barley loaves and fish. Their arid climate demanded their reliance on rain on the good and evil. Crops grew on the early and late rain. Without rain they could not drink and they would not eat.
Jesus had recently left the wilderness where He was challenged with the pangs of hunger and chalk-dry mouth longing for water. No doubt He was faced with the temptation to "turn these stones into bread" on a daily, even hourly, schedule. But He adamantly repeated men and women are not sustained by physical bread alone, but by the very words of God leaving His lips. The bread which cannot spoil is of greater importance to us than the bread in my kitchen.
With amazing clarity Jesus spoke to the people of their spiritual hunger on many occasions. In John 6 the people track Him down in Capernaum. They had eaten of the loaves and fish, He slipped away in the night to meet the disciples on the lake (walking on the water), and the crowds found Him.
"Teacher, when did you come here?" they asked. But Jesus knows why they came: "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." In other words, you don't care where the food came from, you are just happy you ate. You are hungry again and now you want to know if there is a second course. "Don't just work for the bread that spoils, bur for the bread that lasts for eternity which the Son of man will give to you."
We have all probably eaten until we felt we couldn't eat another bite. Many have eaten to the point they feel like just looking at food would hurt. And just like me you probably found yourself hungry again in a few hours or the next day. Jesus wants us to eat from the table of life. He wants us to eat and never desire another bite from another table ever again.
Jesus finally makes it absolutely clear to them, "I am the bread of life." In Matthew 5:6 He says to hunger after righteousness. In John 6:35 He says He is the righteousness we must eat to be satisfied. He is the bread which will fill our spiritual bellies.
The water which quenches our thirst is the living water Jesus offered the Samaritan woman in John 4. In John 7 He again offers living water, this time to all who believe. The Holy Spirit is the water to wash our hearts and quell the overwhelming thirst of our hearts.
You know the song based on Psalm 42:1,2. "As the deer pants for the water brook, so my soul longs after you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;..."
God placed a hunger and thirst for righteousness in us, but we ignore it, cover it, hide it. Some of us think we've lost it. God wants to restore it. Philippians 2:12, 13 reminds us to seek God and His salvation for ourselves. Paul writes about God working in our hearts to restore the appetite for Him and bringing satisfaction through the fulfillment of His will in us.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness. You will be happy, blessed and satisfied. Jesus promised.
Jesus stood on the mountainside and told a ragtag group of poor folks they should hunger and thirst for righteousness. They were well acquainted with hunger. Many of them would follow Jesus across the lake after He fed them from a little boy's brown bag lunch of barley loaves and fish. Their arid climate demanded their reliance on rain on the good and evil. Crops grew on the early and late rain. Without rain they could not drink and they would not eat.
Jesus had recently left the wilderness where He was challenged with the pangs of hunger and chalk-dry mouth longing for water. No doubt He was faced with the temptation to "turn these stones into bread" on a daily, even hourly, schedule. But He adamantly repeated men and women are not sustained by physical bread alone, but by the very words of God leaving His lips. The bread which cannot spoil is of greater importance to us than the bread in my kitchen.
With amazing clarity Jesus spoke to the people of their spiritual hunger on many occasions. In John 6 the people track Him down in Capernaum. They had eaten of the loaves and fish, He slipped away in the night to meet the disciples on the lake (walking on the water), and the crowds found Him.
"Teacher, when did you come here?" they asked. But Jesus knows why they came: "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." In other words, you don't care where the food came from, you are just happy you ate. You are hungry again and now you want to know if there is a second course. "Don't just work for the bread that spoils, bur for the bread that lasts for eternity which the Son of man will give to you."
We have all probably eaten until we felt we couldn't eat another bite. Many have eaten to the point they feel like just looking at food would hurt. And just like me you probably found yourself hungry again in a few hours or the next day. Jesus wants us to eat from the table of life. He wants us to eat and never desire another bite from another table ever again.
Jesus finally makes it absolutely clear to them, "I am the bread of life." In Matthew 5:6 He says to hunger after righteousness. In John 6:35 He says He is the righteousness we must eat to be satisfied. He is the bread which will fill our spiritual bellies.
The water which quenches our thirst is the living water Jesus offered the Samaritan woman in John 4. In John 7 He again offers living water, this time to all who believe. The Holy Spirit is the water to wash our hearts and quell the overwhelming thirst of our hearts.
You know the song based on Psalm 42:1,2. "As the deer pants for the water brook, so my soul longs after you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;..."
God placed a hunger and thirst for righteousness in us, but we ignore it, cover it, hide it. Some of us think we've lost it. God wants to restore it. Philippians 2:12, 13 reminds us to seek God and His salvation for ourselves. Paul writes about God working in our hearts to restore the appetite for Him and bringing satisfaction through the fulfillment of His will in us.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness. You will be happy, blessed and satisfied. Jesus promised.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Beatitudinal Adjustment, part 3: The Meek
"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5
The Beatitudes were spoken to change the attitudes of the people. They are full of power today just as they were when first spoken. Christ began by pointing people to their need of a Savior (the poor in spirit recognize their sin). Then He promised an all-encompassing comfort for the pain of sin (the mourning are forgiven). He then moves to the vaccination for sin.
In Isaiah 14 we read of the beginning of sin on the streets of heaven: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'" (vs. 12-14, emphasis added)
Lucifer determined in his heart he would rule himself. He would set his own role in heaven. He was willing to go to the greatest lengths to assume the throne of heaven. His pride, "the essence of all sin", resulted in his expulsion from the throne room of God where he has served and, ultimately, heaven. (Andrews Study Bible [ASB], p.878 - fn)
Jesus speaks to the people in the mountain sermon and reveals the vaccination to self-centeredness and pride. "Blessed are the meek." The meekness Jesus speaks of is a self so consumed by Jesus they act, and react, as Christ. There is no consideration of themselves except they be hidden in Christ. They sit at the feet of Jesus and are taught in His school. His words are their textbook and come alive in their lives. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
The meek take Jesus at His word and follow after Him through self-denial. (Matthew 16:24) "The independence and self-supremacy in which we glory are seen in their true vileness as tokens of servitude to Satan. Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 15)
Christ longs to bring silence and peace to our troubled hearts. His example of self-denial, surrender and sacrifice serve as the greatest announcement of His peace. In the face of His accusers He could stand silent. Not because He was ignorant or weak; because He was wise and meek. Christ could endure the taunts and jeers because He surrendered to His Father's will. The physical pain held no weight compared to the thought of denying His Father. In His silence He declared ownership of this world and the next. He reclaimed earth for us.
Today He offers us the world through surrender. Some say God is waiting to make us all millionaires if only we would pray harder and read our Bibles more. God says He wants to give us the peace surpassing the understanding of the world. When we place His yoke on our shoulders the world is ours. When we humbly surrender to His Spirit's work in our hearts, the terrors and traumas of earth hold no influence on us. And soon, so very soon, the new earth will also be ours.
Be blessed. Be meek. Claim your inheritance.
The Beatitudes were spoken to change the attitudes of the people. They are full of power today just as they were when first spoken. Christ began by pointing people to their need of a Savior (the poor in spirit recognize their sin). Then He promised an all-encompassing comfort for the pain of sin (the mourning are forgiven). He then moves to the vaccination for sin.
In Isaiah 14 we read of the beginning of sin on the streets of heaven: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'" (vs. 12-14, emphasis added)
Lucifer determined in his heart he would rule himself. He would set his own role in heaven. He was willing to go to the greatest lengths to assume the throne of heaven. His pride, "the essence of all sin", resulted in his expulsion from the throne room of God where he has served and, ultimately, heaven. (Andrews Study Bible [ASB], p.878 - fn)
Jesus speaks to the people in the mountain sermon and reveals the vaccination to self-centeredness and pride. "Blessed are the meek." The meekness Jesus speaks of is a self so consumed by Jesus they act, and react, as Christ. There is no consideration of themselves except they be hidden in Christ. They sit at the feet of Jesus and are taught in His school. His words are their textbook and come alive in their lives. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
The meek take Jesus at His word and follow after Him through self-denial. (Matthew 16:24) "The independence and self-supremacy in which we glory are seen in their true vileness as tokens of servitude to Satan. Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 15)
Christ longs to bring silence and peace to our troubled hearts. His example of self-denial, surrender and sacrifice serve as the greatest announcement of His peace. In the face of His accusers He could stand silent. Not because He was ignorant or weak; because He was wise and meek. Christ could endure the taunts and jeers because He surrendered to His Father's will. The physical pain held no weight compared to the thought of denying His Father. In His silence He declared ownership of this world and the next. He reclaimed earth for us.
Today He offers us the world through surrender. Some say God is waiting to make us all millionaires if only we would pray harder and read our Bibles more. God says He wants to give us the peace surpassing the understanding of the world. When we place His yoke on our shoulders the world is ours. When we humbly surrender to His Spirit's work in our hearts, the terrors and traumas of earth hold no influence on us. And soon, so very soon, the new earth will also be ours.
Be blessed. Be meek. Claim your inheritance.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Breathing
Little comes more naturally than the simple (and yet, complex) act of inhaling and exhaling. Breathing is generally considered an involuntary action. We don't think about it. The oxygen and other life-sustaining gases are drawn into the lungs and out comes the carbon dioxide and other unnecessary gases. (Obviously I did very well in Anatomy and Physiology in high school with this technical description of breathing. [heavy sarcasm])
Jokes have been told of people who must be reminded to breathe by a recording. Some people need to be reminded to breathe in times of great stress or anxiety. (In my case I have to remind myself to breathe while lifting weights - a time of both great stress and anxiety.) But breathing is so natural to me I don't usually give it a second thought.
Does this mean I should never think about it? Does this mean breathing is not important? Or does my lack of thought on the matter make zero difference to the importance of breathing? Perhaps it has always been vitally important and especially in times of my greatest need of oxygen the thought of breathing held overwhelming position in my consciousness.
(You're probably thinking, "Get to the point, Aaron!")
Here's the point: if I fail to think of breathing it does not diminish the importance of breathing. Breathing is still central to my existence; whether I am conscious of it or not. Breathing does not care if I think about it. It will continue to be.
Jesus is the Sustainer of my breath. He has always been. He will always be. Whether I believe in Him or not does not diminish His importance or determine His existence. And just like breathing I often take for granted the depth and width of His presence in my life. Without Christ I would be dead - physically and spiritually.
Do not let Jesus be an involuntary reflex. Have Jesus be central to your thoughts all day, every day. Give Jesus the second, third and fourth thoughts He deserves and desperately desires.
Jokes have been told of people who must be reminded to breathe by a recording. Some people need to be reminded to breathe in times of great stress or anxiety. (In my case I have to remind myself to breathe while lifting weights - a time of both great stress and anxiety.) But breathing is so natural to me I don't usually give it a second thought.
Does this mean I should never think about it? Does this mean breathing is not important? Or does my lack of thought on the matter make zero difference to the importance of breathing? Perhaps it has always been vitally important and especially in times of my greatest need of oxygen the thought of breathing held overwhelming position in my consciousness.
(You're probably thinking, "Get to the point, Aaron!")
Here's the point: if I fail to think of breathing it does not diminish the importance of breathing. Breathing is still central to my existence; whether I am conscious of it or not. Breathing does not care if I think about it. It will continue to be.
Jesus is the Sustainer of my breath. He has always been. He will always be. Whether I believe in Him or not does not diminish His importance or determine His existence. And just like breathing I often take for granted the depth and width of His presence in my life. Without Christ I would be dead - physically and spiritually.
Do not let Jesus be an involuntary reflex. Have Jesus be central to your thoughts all day, every day. Give Jesus the second, third and fourth thoughts He deserves and desperately desires.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Devotion
Devotion: profound dedication; consecration; earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.
Synonyms: zeal, ardor, love
(www.dictionary.com)
The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Ministerial Department sent me a devotional book for the new year. It's The Chosen written by Pastor Dwight Nelson. My normal thoughts regarding "devotional" books is not one of excitement or anticipation. In fact, though I often struggle with direction in my personal study time, devotional books rarely provide an effective personal worship experience or even worthwhile springboard into further study. I have only found one daily devotional I have truly liked.
Still, I knew I needed a jumpstart in 2012 to my personal worship time. The first three days of The Chosen have been fantastic reminders of who we are in the eyes of God. More importantly for me, who I am in the eyes of God. Regardless of my life experiences (mistakes, choices, victories, social status, etc, etc) I am a child of God who He chose. I am alive because God wanted, and still wants, me to be alive.
God wants my devotion. He wants my profound dedication and consecration to Him. He has demonstrated the dedication and consecration to me He hopes for me to return. And, He is willing and able to help me achieve the desired result. Call it zeal, ardor, love. Call it what you will. But God is earnestly attaching Himself to us. Maybe it's time we returned the favor.
Synonyms: zeal, ardor, love
(www.dictionary.com)
The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Ministerial Department sent me a devotional book for the new year. It's The Chosen written by Pastor Dwight Nelson. My normal thoughts regarding "devotional" books is not one of excitement or anticipation. In fact, though I often struggle with direction in my personal study time, devotional books rarely provide an effective personal worship experience or even worthwhile springboard into further study. I have only found one daily devotional I have truly liked.
Still, I knew I needed a jumpstart in 2012 to my personal worship time. The first three days of The Chosen have been fantastic reminders of who we are in the eyes of God. More importantly for me, who I am in the eyes of God. Regardless of my life experiences (mistakes, choices, victories, social status, etc, etc) I am a child of God who He chose. I am alive because God wanted, and still wants, me to be alive.
God wants my devotion. He wants my profound dedication and consecration to Him. He has demonstrated the dedication and consecration to me He hopes for me to return. And, He is willing and able to help me achieve the desired result. Call it zeal, ardor, love. Call it what you will. But God is earnestly attaching Himself to us. Maybe it's time we returned the favor.
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