For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Archive for June, 2008
The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
As Christians, we should desire to see God’s glory arond us and through us. Last week we talked about being hungry and thirsty for God.
Entering Into God’s Presence
How do you enter into God’s presence? What does entering into God’s presence mean to you?
Entering into His presence means simply, to be before God willingly and openly. You must be vulnerable, open to hear God’s voice through His word and prayer. It takes little effort from you to be in God’s presence. If you are not willing, know that Jesus is always there, but you can only enter His presence when you acknowledge Him as who He is- Almighty God.
How do we enter into His Presence?
Stop Being A Spectator
Many people limit their relationship with God to what they observe, and never relying on the potential that their relationship with Jesus really holds.
Praise Him Despite Our Circumstances
Even when life is at it’s lowest point… try reading Psalm 61
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
Being in the presence of God is not a feeling, and we should never limit God to what we feel at the moment.
Well, here is something that my eyes and ears could not believe! Many know of the Rational Response Squad, and their leader Brian Sapient. Well, this video is one for the archives people. Watch it and let me know what you think.
I personally am saddened that so many people are jumping in with RRS and just having a good time. Brian Sapient calls himself the curer of theism. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked! I can only pray for these that send in videos and test the Lord’s grace and mercy… forgive them for they know not what they do.
Hungry and Thirsty?
Jun 3
Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
What do you hunger for?
What do you thirst for?
Do you hunger to be noticed by others?
Do you thirst for money?
Do you hunger for peoples attention?
Do you thirst for God’s affection?
Is your spirit starving to know God?
Is there room in your life for Him?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. -Matthew 5:6
Jesus said plainly,” those who hunger for me and what I have to offer shall be filled with it.”
Not Being Hungry or Thirsty For God?
Listen to the prophet Jeremiah:
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. -Jeremiah 2:13
Take for example why people may decide to leave a church, I have heard some great excuses.
“Well, I feel like you preach over my head”- the problem is that to many people are sitting spiritually, and we must preach for those who will stand up spiritually.
“I feel if I miss a week I missed too much, so I get discouraged.”- Praise God, that is called conviction, and you are experiencing God’s heart for your life. If you miss a week, you did miss a lot, but do not let that discourage you. Instead let it encourage you to keep the course, run the race…
"The music is not my style" – Is the praise time glorifying God? If so, than we may have to lay down preferences for obedience.
I could go on and on but the point is that poeple often search for a god that meets there preferences, expectations, and desires. God is not interested in your preferences, He must be glorified!
Jonah was a great exmple of not being hungry and thirsty for the things of God.
Jonah was so concerned with his own opinions that he did not get to enjoy God using him to bring a people to repentance, but instead rotted in bitterness. Why? He rotted because he was not truly hungry and thirsty for the things of God, but rather he thought of God as someone who would meet his preferences. Jonah did not know God because he was not thirsty or hungry for Him!
Genesis 25:29-34
Essau was so hungry for the stew itself that he totally neglected his God-given birthright. Esau decided that the birthright was not as valuable as eating stew.
Does the physical temptations of this world sway you from doing Gods will?
A Growing Appetite for Jesus
You have to taste the food or drink first
Take sushi for instance. Some people love it, and others can take it or leave it, and some hate it. If you never had a bite of sushi you could never claim it’s your favorite food. In the same manner, if you never truly committed to Jesus you cannot honestly testify to being one of His.
I love watching a stubborn eater. A stubborn eater is one who claims they hate a certain food even though they have never tried it. You offer them a portion, claiming it’s greatness, and yet this stubborn one says no to even a simple sample. This is like the one who is in relationship with Christians yet will never turn his life over at all.
Then there is the boring eater, the one person that no matter what restaurant you go to, they order chicken fingers and fries. This is like the Christian who never wants to grow, but keeps reading John 3:16 and noting else, praying the same prayers,and not seeing the glory of God.
Then there is the buffet monster, this guy will eat anything and everything. A little bit of junk, little bit of healthy, a little bit of useless food. This is the Christian who compromises their spiritual health no matter what the risk. He will have a little bit of the world, a little bit of God, and never grow to true potential. This is ne who wil create a Jesus of their own making in their minds. Pick a Jesus that suits them and their lifestyle.
The healthy eater is one who is balanced and only eats what is good for them. They display true self-control, and influence the people around them to do the same. This is the Christian that is regularly in the Word, regularly prays, and has true relationship with Jesus.
Educate yourself on what the food does for you
Jesus is the greatest man ever to live on earth. Jesus has the ability the say things that are so deep and yet the simplest people can understand.
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. - John 6:35
If you eat McDonalds for 30 days straight for every meal, you will be on the brink of death. Jesus has a different food to offer you, you will never hunger or thirst for anything else.
Conclusion
In order to see God’s glory in our lives the very first step is to be hungry and thirsty for the things of God.
Moses- his face radiated
Solomon- God’s glory filled the temple he built
Isaiah- He saw Jesus and his robe filled the temple
Paul- He fell off a donkey, saw a great light, and talked with Jesus
John- saw mighty visions of the end times
Wigglesworth- people raised from the dead in his ministry till 1945
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
