Our generation lacks a sense of wonder and reverence toward God. We want to bring God down to our level, to the commonplace. He is God! Though we have direct access to Him as His children, we ought never to forget that this access was purchased with the precious blood of His only Son. No one who truly understands this ever enters God's presence without a sense of holy awe. No one who comprehends the incredible price paid at Calvary ever takes his relationship with God for granted. We will never truly understand God and the way He relates to us unless we first comprehend a true sense of His holiness and His demand for holiness among His people. If we are in God's presence, we are on holy ground! We must never act as if it were God's purpose to make us successful. It would be preposterous for us to become impatient when God does not answer our prayers when and how we think He should! He is God; we are not! As you meditate on the price Jesus paid to give you access to the Father, you will come to treasure your prayer times with Him. Worship will become a privilege you seize with gratitude. Scripture will be dear to you as you strive to be holy in all that you do (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet. 1:15). If you have lost your wonder at the incredible gift of salvation that has been given to you, you need to revisit the cross and witness your Savior suffering for you. How priceless God's gift of salvation is! - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
It's been an interesting train of thought. In recent days, with various things happening to people that I know. With what they questioned about those they know. To me, at least, it ties into this devotional.
This generation certainly has done as he pointed out. It's been tailoring worship services towards the notion of bringing God down to our level.
Many think of God as the "Macgyver" tool to bring out when trouble strikes. Many think of Him as a Genie of the lamp that if you use the right words you will get your wish. Some only think of Jesus as someone you cry out to when all your efforts have been exhausted, that in that moment, He is God and He just HAS to come to your rescue.
My dear reader, if any of those ideas sounds like you, then you have the wrong thoughts about God.
Yes it's been true that He is my best friend. But it's taken time to develop that. It takes intentional time. Not when I was bored. Not when there was no internet service. Not when there was absolutely nothing else to do.
In your life you have to be intentional with God. Yes, He has mentioned concerning praying that if we pray believing that it would be answered. Read that in context. In context it has to do with living in accordance with what He wants of us, living for His plans in our lives. Not the other way around.
Next comes reality.
Reality is that the plans He has for us is not necessarily worldly success and riches. Get that thought, tie it up, and throw it far away. Jesus said many things on how we would be treated by the world. They hated Him, they will hate you. We would have trials and temptations. He had them too. We are reborn into the family of God, which makes us aliens in a foreign land. Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the very blood of Jesus Christ.
But it's so hard! I don't like all that I am going through! Why can't it be easier! Why can't people see this for themselves!
My friend, really think about that. Watch videos on people going through post operative therapy. Look at them going through rehabilitation therapy. To get well again requires a painful transition for them. But in time you see them doing life again.
Being born again means relearning life. True life in Christ. Learning how to crawl and then walk Spiritually. Learning how to think differently. How to please the one who saved you.
It's not going to happen all in one session!
But I am afraid! Friends, take that and share it with Jesus. He understands. I know from experience He understands.
He is the God of all comfort. He knows ridicule. Knows what it's like to be hated, scorned, mocked. He knows the pain of the loss of a loved one. He knows. He knows.
Make sure that Jesus is a part of your life. He is the Way, the Truth and the LIFE. In Christ our priorities are SUPPOSED to change. Because a follower, a Disciple, intends to be like their Master. We aren't to go on living for ourselves and then put on Jesus like a coat just for Sundays!
I have gotten into the habit of even asking Jesus to go with me into work because I know my limitations. I need His help in navigating the day. In my weakness I am strong in Christ. In my confusion He makes sense of things. When I don't know the way, He is the way.
We have such a privilege. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminded the people of Israel that it's not because of them that they were going to claim the promised land. They were a stiff necked stubborn people. It's because of the fact that God chose them of all the nations of the world to put His name upon them. We don't deserve what we get from our relationship with Jesus. That's Grace. God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Mercy from God is not getting what we do deserve.
Many of you, like me, have repeated lessons in life. God taking you back over and over until some truth is revealed and we learned something more about Him that we needed to know.
If a person going through physical therapy doesn't do what they are told, they indeed will repeat it until they do it.
This brings me to a hymn. He Lives!
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
My friend, LIVE like He is alive and with you! He's not an accessory to your life, make Him your life!
Live like He is with you every moment. Share your heart with Him. Don't go about your day ignoring Him when He speaks to you. Remember His sheep hear His voice.
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