Thirst for the Wonderful

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:6)

Psalm 139 tells us some wonderful things about God. Read it and see whether you agree that God's Word says the following:

• God is working behind us and before us and actually affects our circumstances.
• He knows our most trivial physical movements.
• Every word we speak or even think about speaking is known to Him.
• He knows our priorities, our goals, our habits and our daily activities.
• God discerns our thoughts even if we are far from Him.

• He is always present and available no matter whether we are in some lonely place physically, emotionally or spiritually.
• If only we will reach out to His hand, God’s guidance is always available no matter where we are.
• Our hidden sin is plain as day to Him.
• He knows each of our histories and has made definite, detailed plans for each one of us.
• He plans each person even before they are conceived and He forms each one in the womb according to His own design and purpose.
  
• God thinks about me more and knows more about me than I ever will.

• We should be friends with anyone who is a friend of God’s and an enemy to anyone who hates God. (Who are our friends? Including our computer, TV and books, who do we spend our time with? Who are our examples, mentors and heroes?)
• We should thirst for God to try us, purify us and lead us into the ways of eternal life. This is thirst for the Wonderful.

--

God's Kitchen

I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.” (Zephaniah 1:12)

Here is another definition of Mr. Lukewarm. He is complacent in his faith. For such a man, meaning in life is found in distracting stimulations, toys and entertainments. In contrast to these attractions, God’s Word is to be endured rather than being eagerly consumed and diligently searched. The complacent man makes worship into a ritual with little or no genuine focus on our Creator and Lover. Such a man needs to be shaken up so that he will wake up before it is too late. I've been shaken up a number of times. May God send earthquakes when they're needed.

The natural pressure of life tends to push us toward this state of complacency. A law of physics says that a system tends toward confusion (disorder) unless it is infused with information (ordered energy). As Christians, we tend to move toward lower levels of faith, enthusiasm and love unless we are daily taking in the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said that man can not live on bread alone but by every word of God. But, many of us daily demonstrate that we do not believe even this word of Jesus because we daily eat bread and meat but frequently ignore God’s Word.

We are dying, our families are dying and our churches are dying from starvation. Many in our churches no longer expect the Lord to act for good or ill. As we approach another new year, let’s end this one with a change of diet and a move toward a transformed heart. Let’s eat less candy composed of worldly entertainments and let’s increase our consumption of milk, bread and meat from God’s kitchen.

Project:

• Let’s pray for an appetite for God’s food, “Give us this day our daily bread”

Help the Thief

The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing. The Fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. (Proverbs 29:24-25)

An employee of an air conditioning business fed me a lie about our A/C unit. I believed him and we almost got taken. By the grace of God, we were preserved. I contacted the owner of the business and he sounded legitimately concerned. But, as I followed up, he began to defend the lies of his employee who had worked for him for twenty years. I wonder how many customers have bought equipment they did not need. I originally went to the company because, years before, I had had good experience with a company that had the same name. But, it turns out that my previous experience was with a brother. Sadly, this owner has darkened the name of his family and is spoiling a good reputation.

It is easier to become a thief or a partner to a thief than we realize. Little compromises are all it takes. Doing nothing or maintaining silence can make us a partner in wrong doing. Cutting too many corners with a trusting customer, being too extravagant with our employer’s resources, or being silent about someone who does these things can lead to the loss of one our most valuable possessions – our good name.

When we find that we are roommates, brothers, or employees of a thief, we have a responsibility to go to him and encourage him to change his mind and his ways. But, we may eventually face the decision to either cover up sin or expose it. If we cover it up or justify it, we become partner to a thief. Fear that we will lose friendship or job may tempt us to keep silent. But, when the truth eventually comes out, those who remained silent will be treated as partners in the crime. God may have revealed the problem to us so that we can help the thief to find the paths of repentance, love and righteousness.

Project:

• Ask God to reveal how we may be partnering with a thief.
• Ask God or a wise counselor for help how to respond and do it.

Wild and Wonderful Fanatic

The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad,
because of your great iniquity (Hosea 9:7)

I’ve heard sermons and teaching which I rejected as too extreme. But, later – maybe years later, I sometimes find that I’ve changed my mind. What held me back from accepting the teaching in the first place? At first, I may have even labeled the ideas as fanatical. What held me back? Was it misunderstanding? “Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood, there is no life in you.” Or, was it wrong priorities? “I will follow you. But, first let me…”

The same thing which causes us to have wrong priorities can deafen us to the words of truth and blind us to the guiding light. What is it that disrupts our relationship with God and others but our important, whispering, dissatisfied, and whining Self? This is the part of me which listens to the voice of the Tempter, believes the lies of the Liar, wants to sell my soul to the Devil for a pot of pleasure, and says, “I’m too tired to seek God this early.”

When we don’t “get anything” out of reading the Bible, or think that someone is too fanatical in his teaching or beliefs, it is important to consider whether we are actually open to hearing Jesus. Is He too fanatical for me to follow? Maybe we just want to be “ordinary”. It is possible for someone to be too impractical or fanatical. But, when we find ourselves applying such a label, it should be an alarm that warns us to examine ourselves. Isn’t it possible that our “wisdom” may actually be worldly wisdom? Who is the fool but the one who rejects God’s Word? At such times, let’s ask, “Who is actually sitting behind the steering wheel in this area of my life?” Many times our daily schedule shows our priorities and who we're letting drive. When Self drives, we live "sensible" lives like most of the world, and waste our life. But when God drives, wild and wonderful things will begin to happen and life will no longer be ordinary, normal or "sensible".

Project: (This is a tough one -- change your daily schedule)
Get fanatical: commit to a daily time alone with God and His Word.
Get foolish: wake up earlier than you “feel” like to seek God.
Get a little crazy: let God sit in the driver’s seat. Actually apply a little of His Word.

--

We Just Didn't Know What To Do

Many families are hurting because they are pressured into aborting their handicapped babies. We need to pray for grace to help give support and encouragement to mothers and fathers in these difficult situations.

Why the pressure? My thought is they do that to get you to make the decision they want you to make. I'm sure the insurance companies want you to abort, knowing if there are any complications with a full-term delivery, the costs will rack up. I call it, "Search and destroy."

Now I feel so stupid. I didn't get on the computer and research. I'm not a sheep; I'm a well-educated person. But I was immobilized. My brain just shut down when we got that diagnosis. We just didn't know what to do.

If you want to understand more, read the rest of the article at: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41631

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Thanksgiving

As a family, we especially thank God for sparing our firefighter son, Daniel, from injury or death. At 3 AM on Saturday morning, Daniel was driving the station’s reserve fire engine to a car accident when the unexpected happened. As he drove over a hill and began to brake for the turn at the bottom, the brakes failed. All was dark ahead. But, for some unknown reason, Daniel decided to steer toward the left. While still moving at 30 mph into the dark, the fire truck hit the end of the road, jumped a culvert, shot between two trees and slammed into an embankment. Flames shot up in front of the truck. The fire crew leaped from the engine and suffered their only injuries as they jumped into underbrush composed of mainly briars and thorns. A Sheriff’s Deputy who was already at the first accident scene and standing at the bottom of the hill was also grateful for his life. If Daniel had not steered to the left then the fire engine would have run over the Deputy. So, even though Daniel could not see the trees or the Deputy at the bottom of the hill, they were all avoided. Let’s thank God for this preservation of life, limb and love. We know that God has special plans for each of us and for Daniel. Let’s mix our gratitude with commitment to seek God’s best plans in each of our lives.

Daily Light from that same Saturday morning:

==================================================================
Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Saturday November 20, 2004
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml
==================================================================

Morning

When I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.--I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.--What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.--The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Mic 7:8 Isa 43:2,3 42:16 Ps 23:4 56:3,4 27:1

My Stomach Is Calling

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. ( Col 3:16)

When our first child was born and I began to realize the incredible responsibility that God had given me, my priorities began a rapid shift. Suddenly, my spiritual life and the future spiritual life of my child became extremely important. As parents, we began to have goals for our children that went beyond mere success and happiness in this world. But, the goals of Christian parents are opposed by the voice of the world system. In reality, most of us have influence on someone and we should have similar desires for them as they also face the opposing voice of the world. The sad thing is that we can each become the voice of the world. When, even as Christians, we fail to be saturated in God’s Word, His love and His perspective; our mind and mouth will tend to produce worldly thoughts and messages. Whether we realize our leadership or not, our influence could be misleading someone who sees us as a leader. It is vital for each of us to consider which of the following messages our life is transmitting in words or example.

Be lively Christians.

Wear the label of Christian but don’t be weird.

Be filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Don’t be a fanatic. Be sensible.

Be godly, wise and discerning.

Be wise in the ways of the world.

Put building God’s Kingdom as first priority.

Watch out for your self first.

Be men and women of prayer.

Prayer doesn’t do anything (except it might help you feel better in a crisis). The TV or Internet gives more return on investment.

Have your mind saturated with God’s Word.

Today’s news, football game or gossip is more interesting.

Daily seek God’s direction.

God doesn’t give direction. I or “fate” will be my guide. Go with the flow.

Have a godly heritage

Who cares about future generations? It's all about me and the here and now.

Build your life on the foundation of Christ and His Word.

Important decisions are primarily based on money.

Be leaders in the Church.

It’s too much trouble (unless you can be someone important).

Be soul winners.

Don’t interfere in other people’s lives (besides they might reject you).

Be taught of the Lord.

It's better to get a good education from a reputable school.

Be light and salt in the world.

As long as I’m comfortable, the world is no concern of mine.

Trust in God

Trust in bank accounts, investments or a good job.

Manifest honesty, courage and integrity

My self-image and my stuff is more important than strict honesty.

Delight in the Lord.

Delight in entertainment, sports or romance

Fulfill the deepest desires of your heart.

Forget the deep desires, my stomach is calling!


--

A Dream Come True

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. (Rom 12)

Day after day, Ordinary showed up at his Usual Job. But while he worked, he thought about his Dream. He thought about how wonderful it would be to do what he loved to do instead of just dreaming about it.

Ordinary’s longing for his Big Dream grew and grew, until finally he realized that he’d never be happy unless he could pursue it. Why didn’t the Dream Giver make it possible?

If the Dream Giver didn’t, how could Ordinary ever leave Familiar? He had payments and expenses. He had regular duties. A lot of Nobodies counted on him for lot of things.

Ordinary felt completely stuck. Time passed, but nothing changed.
(from “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson)

If, like me, you’ve had a Dream turn to dust; there is still hope for the future. God has a Big Dream for each of us that we can accomplish with what’s left of our life. But, time will turn all our dreams to dust if we don’t begin to do something. If we seek God and trust Him as we take chances, push through the fear of stepping out of our comfort zone, and don't turn back to the Familiar we will begin to see our Dream come true.

Project:

• Let’s commit that Today and daily we will each take some step in the direction of our Big Dream.

• Let's DO SOMETHING.

I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. (John 15)

Being Sensible

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. (Psalms 107:4)

Shortly after I was married, I read a book that stimulated my thirst. I became thirsty; thirsty for a genuine relationship with God. That thirst pushed me to do “something”. I didn’t know what to do but it seemed like I needed to find help for my thirst and I needed it that day and not some tomorrow. So, that very night, we packed up and traveled a couple of hundred miles arriving at dawn to visit some people who I thought might have some answers. They didn’t have all the answers but that journey and the prayer which was that journey became the beginning of a journey that has led to genuine food and drink for my soul. That sudden trip was as much a cry to the Lord as the prayers that were vocalized while we traveled.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. (Ps 107)

When we are in distress, God will hear the cry of our hearts if it is not quenched by our pride. But, what hunger and thirst is causing distress? Perhaps, like Eve, we hunger for some forbidden fruit or thirst for some deluding drink. Or, it may be that, like Adam, we thirst for companionship or human love. These desires can disguise and get in the way of deeper and more significant needs. I found that even when my natural desires were satisfied, there was a deeper hunger which continued to cast a shadow over my life.

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Ps 107)

When we made that trip with our little baby, one result was a new determination and commitment to sincerely seek God and His ways. The life of that child was suddenly set on a new track because of what had happened to his dad. God gave a desire to know what His Word meant and grace to daily seek Him. The direction of career, home location, financial priorities and family goals were all fundamentally and wonderfully affected. Yet, these changes sprang from a single trip which was actually a cry to God for real water and food. It would have been so easy to quench the spirit. My bride could have resisted this sudden, crazy trip. I could have stopped and said, “Let’s be sensible. It’s late. We’ll sleep on it and tomorrow maybe I will do something.” I believe we would have missed a vital opportunity and stifled a cry to God if we had been “sensible”.

Project:

• Look beyond the surface desires. What do you actually want?
  
• Go on a fast. Ask God to give the gift of thirst and hunger of Spirit.
• Not only speak a cry to the Lord but act out the cry by taking actual steps to seek God in new ways.
• Don’t quench the cry; don’t put off action.

--

Stream of Tears

He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. (Psalm 105:41)

I remember a huge boulder on top a mountain where I grew up. It was at least fifty feet high. In each of our souls, we have places that have been hardened and are like giant boulders. These rocks seem like the least likely place to find water for our thirsty souls because it is there that we feel the least life and strength. These rocks may bear the shape of an enemy, an ex-spouse, a tragic accident, a hidden sin, an overwhelming fear or our own prideful self-image. These can be terrible boulders that we normally avoid even thinking about. Yet, it is to these huge, terrible, flint-like stones that Jesus desires to come and speak a healing word.

We tend to think that the desert of our soul, relationships and life is normal. In reality, God wants us to have a constantly increasing stream of Life flowing into all those areas. The streams of Love, Joy and Peace are pent up and could flow into every corner of our life. God is well aware of our inner landscape and is eager to lead us to a giant boulder that we perceive as an obstacle to our life but from which He wants to bring a river of blessing, healing and life.

As my bride and I have learned to communicate, God has led us to be more and more open with each other about fears, shame, wounds and frustrated dreams. These are the kind of things that I don’t naturally want to face because they can make me cry. Many of us are hiding from our feelings. Sometimes, something that I had not thought about for years God seems to bring it to mind at a time and place that demands an explicit decision. I can choose to either bring it into the light for God to touch; or hide from it and miss an incredible blessing. The fastest growth in my relationship with my bride and with God has come when I let Him open the rock. A stream of tears can be indicative of a new river of life.


Project:

• Find a place to be alone.
• Ask God to reveal a boulder in your life.
• When something comes to mind, ask for Jesus to heal your heart.
• Share your “rock” with your spouse, friend or minister.