Many Christians are stunted in their spiritual growth, presenting the same appearance year after year. No evidence of advanced and refined feeling is found in them. They exist, but they do not grow up in all things into Him. But should we rest content with being the green blade when we might advance to the ear, and eventually ripen into the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:28)? Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, saying, “I am safe,” without wanting to know in our own experience more of the fullness that is found in Him? It should not be so! We should, as good traders in heaven’s market, desire to be enriched in our knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to tend other people’s vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be wintertime in our hearts? It is true that we must have our seedtime but, oh, for a springtime—indeed, a summer season—that will give promise of an early harvest. If we want to mature in grace, we must live near Jesus—in His presence—ripened by the sunshine of His smile. We must hold sweet communion with Him. We must not be content with a distant view of His face, but come near, as John did, to lay our head on His chest. Then we will find ourselves advancing in holiness, love, faith, and hope—yes, in every precious gift. The sun rises first on the mountaintops, bathing them with light and presenting a charming sight to the traveler’s eye. In a similar way, one of the Christian’s most delightful contemplations is to see the glow of the Spirit’s light on the head of some saint, one who has risen in spiritual stature above his or her companions. Like a mighty, snow-capped Alp, that person reflects the beams of the Sun of Righteousness among the chosen, holding the glow of His brilliance high for all to see. And seeing it, they will glorify our Father in heaven. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify
the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that
they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Malachi 3:3
The quality of our worship is not based on our activities but on our character. Churches can mistakenly assume that the better the music, the more impressive the building, and the more eloquent the preaching, the more worshipful the experience will be. Genuine worship, however, originates from within our hearts. If our relationship with God is not healthy, all these things are nothing more than religious pageantry.
The Levites were the worship leaders of their day. Their task was to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. God declared that before they could worship Him in righteousness, He would first refine them with His refiner's fire, purging them of any impurities. Merely being members of the religious profession, having official responsibilities in the temple, and going through the rituals of worship did not guarantee that their religious activities would be acceptable to holy God.
Today, we tend to look to external things to enhance our worship. The true quality of our worship, however, rests within us. If we have not allowed God to purify us first, our worship will be void of His presence. If we do not have a pure heart, we may give offerings, but they will be unacceptable to God. Attending a religious service will not automatically ensure an encounter with God. If you are not satisfied with the quality of your worship, don’t be too quick to blame your environment. Look first to your own heart. Allow God to refine your heart until it is pleasing to Him, and you will be free to worship God as He intends.
- Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
What and Why. I found it interesting how both of these devotionals seemed to work together. The aspects of what and why really show the how as well.
What do you do in life to further your knowledge of Jesus? Hmm? Anything? Do you make time for Him on Sundays and that's it? Do you 'try' to remember to pray concerning the food you eat?
What is your motivation?
Tying into the other devotional...Genuine worship, however, originates from within our hearts. If our relationship with God is not healthy, all these things are nothing more than religious pageantry.
Do you get real with yourself and God often? Have you found yourself crying out to God? Ever?
What we do is often a reflection of our hearts. If we are consumed by something that is our focus. At work you are being paid to be consumed with your work. When not at work, what consumes your thoughts, time, energy?
Me? I like to learn things. I love it when someone teaches me and I am able to do what I was taught. I have very personal talks with Jesus each morning. Do you?
I often ask people to pray, not because I am unable to myself, but to obey Scripture. Bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. I ask for prayers of people to both invite them to go before Jesus, and to enable them to share in the blessings for doing so. I will be the first to admit that I am weak. But, again, Scripture says that God uses the weak.
I don't have life all together. I try my best to obey what God puts before me. A morning without God in it is empty. A blessed day is one where I get to listen to worship songs while working.
We live in a world where minds are constantly bombarded with being told how they should operate, how they should think. In fact several in so-called journalism have spoken out in rage to state its their job to tell you what to think.
Satan refuses to accept defeat. You come to Christ, he will try everything to keep you from growing. He will use every subtle form of temptation to get you not to grow in Christ. He never will use blatant overtones of anything to get your attention. That would be too obvious. Secondly, he will make it YOUR idea! You will convince you of the things that you do or think. He merely provides the suggestion to your sin nature. Believers and unbelievers both are susceptible.
Satan is not creative, he is also not wasteful, he only does what has worked on mankind throughout the centuries.
Prayer and time with Jesus are the biggest things he wants you not to do. Because he knows those things cause Spiritual growth. He knows that prayers of a righteous man avails much. He knows that the prayers of a righteous person are unhindered before God.
You see all members of the human race, believers and unbelievers have an enemy that knows us better than we know ourselves. Side note is that Scripturally speaking there's no longer any such thing as a race issue. Before the Throne of God you are not black or white or Asian or any other such thing. You either are saved in Christ or you are condemned to Hell.
Knowing this, should prompt believers to live in such a way as to be a living witness before others, showing them the way to Jesus. By their actions, by their What and Why. THAT is their How.
When Jesus returns, and He will, it will be the hallmark of the beginning of the end. As stated the other day, 1007 years will remain after the Rapture of the Church. That's it. Trust me, fossil fuels, and all the things that people keep trying to say they want for recreation in this world will not be a priority after the Rapture happens. Disasters will be a daily, global, problem.
I will not be here through any of that. I will be with Jesus. Will you?
My friend, nothing about coming to Christ is about losing this or that. It's about two things. Learning how to really live and to bring others to Jesus. Learning from the Spirit of God...doesn't get better than that.
Being shown things from God. I have had some mind blowing Bible revelations myself. Have experienced the impossible that, like Paul said of himself, he cannot put into words.
Getting your why, what and how in line with your Savior is when things happen in your life. If you don't have Jesus, you are wasting your life. Wasting your time trying to find peace and happiness.
Look at yourself today and be truthful with you. Are you living for yourself? That questionis is for everyone.
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