Psalm 103:1
Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy name!
Lately I can't get enough worship. The more I listen, the more I want, the
more I sing, then the more I want to listen to it. God is so continually
amazing and good. He amazes me. Driving my kids to school everyday
is quite a distance but thankfully its made time for me to enjoy praising
and worshiping.
In His presence I am experiencing fullness of joy. It's the whole principle
of giving and receiving. I don't worship to get from God but when I do He
blesses me back. It seems everyday since the New Year when I read my
devotional it is exactly what I need to hear. He just keeps blessing me
back. He continually amazes me. Bless His holy name!
May each one of us be blessed in God presence as we spend time enjoying Him.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Undivided Hearts
We have chosen different ways to participate in this fast. Some of us are fasting from certain foods, some from Facebook or other electronic distractions, some from caffeine or alcohol. No matter what the chosen item is, the purpose of the fast is the same: we are trying to become more focused on God. We are either denying ourselves something we enjoy as a way of reminding us that God is our sufficiency and our highest desire. Or we are trying to eliminate things in our daily lives that take time and energy away from our communion with God. We are trying to become more single-hearted.
Our hearts are the center of who we are. When the scriptures talk about the heart, it is not just the seat of emotion, but of our wills and our intellect. We are to, above all else, guard our heart, for it is the wellspring of life—for out of it are the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23) So our commitment to fasting in order to become more single-hearted is addressing what God considers to be of utmost importance. And He doesn’t leave it up to us to achieve on our own. He has promised to help us do this. In Jeremiah 32:39 He says, “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good.”
What a gold mine of gifts! God promises to give us singleness of heart and action so that we will delight in worshiping Him and He will rejoice in showering us and our children with goodness forever! And He repeats that promise through Ezekiel: “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them…They will be My people and I will be their God.”
“Heavenly Father, please give me that undivided heart; a heart that believes You are better than anything this world has to offer. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
My New Position Requires New Clothes
Colossians 3:12-14 The Message (MSG)
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
I have given up some entertainment time and filled it with more physical activity, prayer and reflection. When I go to the gym, no matter how holy the thoughts, the exercise clothes ... well, they just don’t smell holy. Funny thing about that, merely changing the clothes doesn’t make me clean, I need a shower plus the clean clothes in order to be clean.
Paul in Colossians talks about being chosen by God for a new life of love, dressing in the wardrobe God picked out for you, putting on compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. Chosen by God for this new life, what does that mean? Should I put on new clothing Paul describes in order to obtain this new life? Do I change my outer image, my clothing, my actions, my words, in order to somehow become acceptable to God?
No, I think what Paul is saying is just the opposite. I have already been chosen by God and cannot earn His favor. God has chosen me, and picked out clean, fresh clothes for me to wear after He washed my stinky sins away through the blood of Jesus. If I try to put on the clothing without the washing, then I merely speak the words and do good deeds in order to win God’s favor or the favor of other Christians. That would be like going to the gym and putting on clean clothes without a shower. But once I have been made clean, do I really want to put on the old stinky clothes and the habits I had before Christ washed me?
I was reminded again that I do not need to impress God to win His favor: accepting Christ’s work on the cross has already made me acceptable to God. Our new position in Christ requires new clothes, which Paul has described for us. And that last one - love - that is like deodorant. As Paul said, never be without it!
Sing me an old hymn...
I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. I'll admit, it was a bit of a shock after two weeks of palm trees, ocean breezes and warm sunshine, but it looked beautiful. Of course, then the reality of an icy, 25 mile commute with a bazillion crazy drivers playing bumper cars on I-94 set in. Fortunately, I was only delayed (a mere!) 30 minutes by one accident that did not, thankfully, include me!
So, what does all that have to do with fasting and prayer?
Well...nothing.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have not been fasting. But I have been praying for a deeper relationship with God that would bring me closer to Him. And what I discovered is that prayer may deepen my relationship with God, but it won't bring me closer to Him. It can't. He's already right in front of me! And beside me! And deep within me! He couldn't be any closer than he already is!
God is everywhere. He is in the warmth of the bright sunshine, the sound of crashing ocean waves, the whisper of snowflakes, the shiver of the Cardinal in the cedar tree outside my kitchen window, the roar of the snowblower, the cacophony of rush hour traffic, the wail of the ambulance siren, the bustle of the skyway, the hush of the elevator. He is in all things - those that are comforting, annoying, wonderful and tragic. Most importantly He is holding me in the palm of His Hand; soothing me, guiding me, protecting me, and listening to my cries of contentment and distress, of anger, joy and fear, of desire and resignation. He listens to my prayers, He gives me hope, He understands what I need and when I need it and He delivers His promise that He, above all, is the One Thing that will shepherd me through this earthly life until He is ready to bring me home to Him in Heaven. His Love is the gift that buoys me in the stormy waters of life. His Son is the gift that saves me from my sinful ways. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Light.
HE is all I need. And He has shown me that in so many ways over the past month, during a time when my earthly world seemed like it was about to implode. Through Grace, He saved me. Just like He saves us all, every day, if we let Him.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.
-Helen Lemmel
So, what does all that have to do with fasting and prayer?
Well...nothing.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have not been fasting. But I have been praying for a deeper relationship with God that would bring me closer to Him. And what I discovered is that prayer may deepen my relationship with God, but it won't bring me closer to Him. It can't. He's already right in front of me! And beside me! And deep within me! He couldn't be any closer than he already is!
God is everywhere. He is in the warmth of the bright sunshine, the sound of crashing ocean waves, the whisper of snowflakes, the shiver of the Cardinal in the cedar tree outside my kitchen window, the roar of the snowblower, the cacophony of rush hour traffic, the wail of the ambulance siren, the bustle of the skyway, the hush of the elevator. He is in all things - those that are comforting, annoying, wonderful and tragic. Most importantly He is holding me in the palm of His Hand; soothing me, guiding me, protecting me, and listening to my cries of contentment and distress, of anger, joy and fear, of desire and resignation. He listens to my prayers, He gives me hope, He understands what I need and when I need it and He delivers His promise that He, above all, is the One Thing that will shepherd me through this earthly life until He is ready to bring me home to Him in Heaven. His Love is the gift that buoys me in the stormy waters of life. His Son is the gift that saves me from my sinful ways. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Light.
HE is all I need. And He has shown me that in so many ways over the past month, during a time when my earthly world seemed like it was about to implode. Through Grace, He saved me. Just like He saves us all, every day, if we let Him.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.
-Helen Lemmel
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I miss my games...
So over the last 3 weeks I have been fasting video games. The first two were for a class I am taking, and the last one is for the all-church fast. I have noticed a few things. The first being, I have not had the urge to play this many video games in quite a while! I usually only sit myself in front of the television when I don't have any family, work or school responsibilities - and lately I have had a lot of responsibilities.
Why then, you may be asking did I choose to give up video games? I chose them because I wanted to give up something that would be a sacrifice for me when I was alone. There are all sorts of personal reasons for this, but the most important one is that, often times when I am alone I choose to do something to distract myself. I honestly felt that being reminded and taking time to pray and hear from God during these times of solitude, instead of just distracting myself would be a good idea. So far I was right, or maybe more realistically, HE was right. God has been showing me all sorts of things about myself, my relationships, and how I use my "alone" time. It has been convicting and encouraging, which is a rare combination - but one I am really thankful for right now.
As I prepare for fatherhood, my time alone has never seemed more precious, but even now God has been reshaping my priorities. How can I use it to pray for others? How can I bless others even when I am not right there with them? How can I improve myself and my relationships? All of these are questions I have been seeking answers to, both from God and from my past experiences. My prayer for all of us is that God will speak to us and change us "individually" in the ways we need Him to. For me, it's what I use my free time for, for you it might be something different. Whatever it is, I'd encourage you to listen, when God speaks, it's worth taking the time to hear what He has to say!
Why then, you may be asking did I choose to give up video games? I chose them because I wanted to give up something that would be a sacrifice for me when I was alone. There are all sorts of personal reasons for this, but the most important one is that, often times when I am alone I choose to do something to distract myself. I honestly felt that being reminded and taking time to pray and hear from God during these times of solitude, instead of just distracting myself would be a good idea. So far I was right, or maybe more realistically, HE was right. God has been showing me all sorts of things about myself, my relationships, and how I use my "alone" time. It has been convicting and encouraging, which is a rare combination - but one I am really thankful for right now.
As I prepare for fatherhood, my time alone has never seemed more precious, but even now God has been reshaping my priorities. How can I use it to pray for others? How can I bless others even when I am not right there with them? How can I improve myself and my relationships? All of these are questions I have been seeking answers to, both from God and from my past experiences. My prayer for all of us is that God will speak to us and change us "individually" in the ways we need Him to. For me, it's what I use my free time for, for you it might be something different. Whatever it is, I'd encourage you to listen, when God speaks, it's worth taking the time to hear what He has to say!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Love that satisfies.
Over the past year I've been in contact with many people that have such a
need to know how much God loves them. I pray "Lord please give them a
revelation of your deep deep love". I know many of these people know about
Gods love in their head but it doesn't seem to have reached their heart.
As I think about the times in my journey when God's love has become so real and
tangible - it was during times of desperation. When God was literarily all I had.
I don't hope for anyone that they have to become all alone so they can experience
Gods deep love. What I've been praying lately is that I myself and others
would have increased hunger for God and His presence in our lives. That we
would be in places of desperation for Him.
When we are desperate for His love to touch our lives I believe He will.
On this love day may we all hunger and thirst for the ONE that can only truly
satisfy our need for love.
May Christ through your faith dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints the experience of that love, what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it;
That you may really come to know practically, through experience for yourselves the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; that you may be filled through all your being into all the fullness of God, may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself. Eph. 3:17-19 (amplified)
need to know how much God loves them. I pray "Lord please give them a
revelation of your deep deep love". I know many of these people know about
Gods love in their head but it doesn't seem to have reached their heart.
As I think about the times in my journey when God's love has become so real and
tangible - it was during times of desperation. When God was literarily all I had.
I don't hope for anyone that they have to become all alone so they can experience
Gods deep love. What I've been praying lately is that I myself and others
would have increased hunger for God and His presence in our lives. That we
would be in places of desperation for Him.
When we are desperate for His love to touch our lives I believe He will.
On this love day may we all hunger and thirst for the ONE that can only truly
satisfy our need for love.
May Christ through your faith dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints the experience of that love, what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it;
That you may really come to know practically, through experience for yourselves the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; that you may be filled through all your being into all the fullness of God, may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself. Eph. 3:17-19 (amplified)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Fast From Fasting? (Rick)
1 Samuel 15 22: But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
It seems that every year I have a vision, dream or word from God a week or so before our Cornerstone fast starts. Then during the fast I give something up, spend more time in prayer and listening for God only to not hear anything for the 21 days of the fast. I have thought, am I trying too hard, did I hear/see wrong on the vision or is there a disobedience that is getting in the way? Am I like Samuel and God is not listening because I have a disobedience that has restricted me from hearing from God? I end up being frustrated and distracted that I'm not hearing from God for the 21 days of the fast.
This year I have decided not to fast for fasting sake. I have prayed about what I should fast for or from and heard nothing from God so I have decided to not fast from anything unless directed by God. One word that has stood out in Cornerstone sermons lately is the word "intentional" as Scott has talked about us being intentional in our service and or worship to God. I have the thought that I don't want to spend 21 days again fasting and then at the end of the 21 days lapse back into old habits and less time with God. My hope is to make an intentional change in my daily time with God that will go beyond the 21 days and be a lasting life change.
I'm not saying the idea of a community fast is bad or wrong, I'm just feeling for me that unless God has instructed me to fast, doing so is like Samuel offering a sacrifice when all the Lord wanted was obedience. For the remaining fast I plan to be obedient to God, the vision he gave me before the fast and anything else he instructs me to.
And may my heart become like David's. 2 Samuel 7:22 How great are you O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
Thanks, Rick
It seems that every year I have a vision, dream or word from God a week or so before our Cornerstone fast starts. Then during the fast I give something up, spend more time in prayer and listening for God only to not hear anything for the 21 days of the fast. I have thought, am I trying too hard, did I hear/see wrong on the vision or is there a disobedience that is getting in the way? Am I like Samuel and God is not listening because I have a disobedience that has restricted me from hearing from God? I end up being frustrated and distracted that I'm not hearing from God for the 21 days of the fast.
This year I have decided not to fast for fasting sake. I have prayed about what I should fast for or from and heard nothing from God so I have decided to not fast from anything unless directed by God. One word that has stood out in Cornerstone sermons lately is the word "intentional" as Scott has talked about us being intentional in our service and or worship to God. I have the thought that I don't want to spend 21 days again fasting and then at the end of the 21 days lapse back into old habits and less time with God. My hope is to make an intentional change in my daily time with God that will go beyond the 21 days and be a lasting life change.
I'm not saying the idea of a community fast is bad or wrong, I'm just feeling for me that unless God has instructed me to fast, doing so is like Samuel offering a sacrifice when all the Lord wanted was obedience. For the remaining fast I plan to be obedient to God, the vision he gave me before the fast and anything else he instructs me to.
And may my heart become like David's. 2 Samuel 7:22 How great are you O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
Thanks, Rick
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