Wanting To

But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Dt 4:29

As much as we like to call ourselves adults, we never really grow up. The same tantrums, demeanors we displayed when we were children, make their way into our adult selves – just under a more controlled circumstance. The way we behave toward people now, is a repeat of the way we interacted with other children when we were growing up. And, unfortunately the way we act toward God or choose to listen to what God has to say is the way we listened or didn't listen to our parents when we were small.  The truth? We listen when we want to.

You’re not going to hear God unless you really, really want to listen.   David wrote, “My God, I want to do what you want” and “What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws” (Psalm 40:8, Psalm 199:20).  David was passionate in his declaration that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. These things weren't options for him. He used words for seeking God (“I long for it,” “I crave it,” “I hunger for it,” and “I’m like a dear panting for water.”). The question is, is this what you hear in your own vocabulary?

A lot of people talk to God, but they never hear from God. Prayer is a monologue for most people, and monologues do not convey relationship. In a marriage, when only one spouse talks the marriage is dysfunctional because that’s not a relationship. Relationships require communication, and it is just as important as talking to God in prayer. Prayer is not just talking to God, but listening to God and letting Him talk to you. God doesn't tell his dream for your life if you want to debate it. God doesn't tell his vision for your life if you want to discuss it. God doesn't tell you what he put you on Earth to do just so you can say, “Let me think about It.” You've got to want it more than anything else.

David’s words have to become ours. We have to say, “I've got to know why. I've got to know what You want me to do with my life. I've got to hear Your voice. I've got to have Your vision.”

What is the thing you want most in life? Do you long for God’s voice?  Would you say that you are passionate for Christ in the same sense that when you are thirsty that you crave water? When you ask God or talk to God, what attitude do you talk with Him? Is it the three year old in you, or that part of you that realizes that God is everything? Are you prepared to respond in obedience?

Jim

God - Give Me A Vision? Yes - it can and will happen!

It is interesting that every time I mention the need to consider evangelizing (whether at home or abroad – wherever God directs) people blanch and balk. Building God’s house is something that should be foremost in our minds and we should be asking ourselves how we can be of use to God in doing that. Instead, we have become contented sheep in a pasture. I am not saying that everyone is like this – but the majority of response is always the “don’t bother me” or “I evangelize by my life and example.” So, here is a question – Is this what God wants? Would want you to say? The Attitude that God wants you to have?

“Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.” 

Psalm 119:18

The Bible is filled with hundreds of examples of people being given a vision, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Jonah, Micah and more. Seeing God’s vision for your life is not a crazy thing, and many times not even miraculous. God often uses a mental picture to clarify the next step He wants you to take. I admit, that there are differences in people and the way that they think. Many are visual thinkers, able to read and picture the story in your mind. For others, this is harder and you tend to think in words and logic. For the visual thinker, seeing God’s vision is a Technicolor experience. But what if you’re not a visual thinker? How do you get God’s vision if you’re not a visual thinker?

The same way that you do anything else that you do respecting God – “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth (2 Tm.2:15).”  After you've read the Bible and ask God, “God, is there anything you want me to see from this? Is there anything I need to know that I’m not thinking about?” And then you wait.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”  God wants you to ask him for advice, and he wants you to be specific and He’s waiting for you to ask!

Psalm 119:18 is a verse you should memorize: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”  Every answer to every problem you have or will encounter is in the Bible.  But you've got to read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it, and with that seek God’s vision for your life or even if it is  just for today.

What is keeping you from seeing what God wants you to do and then rising up to do something about it? What vision has God given you? What do you think you’re supposed to do about it? James 1:5 “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”

Jim

Called By God

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 

Rom.7:4

In last week's newsletter, I wrote that all of us are called by God.  Not all of us hear, but we are all called. This week, consider that if you have heard that call and responded, that there is something special that you have been called to. Let's consider some scriptures:

1.) 1 Pt. 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

• We are chosen - to be royalty, to be holy, to be God's
• We are chosen in order that we might proclaim - to announce the wondrous excellency of the God who has called us out of darkness into light.

2,) 2 Ti 1:9  who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

• Again, we are called to a holy calling
• This calling is according to God's purpose and Grace, made available in Christ

In Eph.4:1-16, Paul wrote extensively that each of us has abilities that God has given us for the benefit of the saints. Not to elite "clergy" or classes of people, but to everyone! He did this so that the body of His people might work together in love to accomplish His purposes in Christ. Something that every part supplies, not just a select few. Everyone working together in love to accomplish and proclaim the excellency of He who has called us out of darkness, so that people may see the wonder of Christ in us.

We may have thought, that being called by God was something only missionaries, pastors, preachers or the experienced. But the Bible says every Christian is called to the service of God(Ephesians 4:4 –14; 1:6–7; 8:28–30; 1 Cor.1:2, 9, 26; 7:17; Ph'p 3:14; 1 Pt. 2:9; 2 Pt.1:3). We take what God has given us, and use them to help others. In this, we fulfill our calling, we proclaim God's excellency in our lives, and we work to build the body. 

Are you using what God has given you? 

Jim