The lost

The hurt and lost of this generation… seeking out something that will fulfill the empty void in their hearts… Lord, how do I show them you fill it?  What words do I speak?  What Scripture can I find?  My heart breaks for those who are breaking… for those who continue to search for something that isn’t real… something that is meaningless… something that only pulls them further from you in a downward spiral of self-destruction and anguish.

What are the words of life that will touch the children you love so deeply? What will bring them to a complete and utter knowing that true happiness and completeness only comes from You? 

Prayer. 

This is the only answer I hear right now. 

Fellowship

I'm a doer... ask me to get it done, and if it is within my capability, I will do it.  It's my pleasing mechanism...

A couple of years back a dear friend asked me what I thought it was that God created me for.  I had a long list... carefully written, thoughtful, and humble.  But the bottom line was that God created me to serve Him. After sharing my thoughts (and list) I was given this verse from Genesis 3:8:

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day..."

This is the picture of the Lord as He was in the Garden with Adam and Eve.   He was walking in the cool of the day... looking for Adam and Eve.

The revelation for me was that God didn't create me to serve Him, but to have fellowship with Him.  He doesn't want my works - but my time.  He doesn't want my service - but my attention.

I am reminded of Mary and Martha when Jesus came.  Mary dropped everything to be with the Lord while Martha continued to work to get things done. I used to be one to clean the dinner dishes while company was still here, only to find that when I was done people were getting ready to leave.  I missed the fellowship.

When I was focused on serving the Lord, I was missing the point.  He didn't create me to busy myself with things of the world, all in His name... He created me to sit and talk with Him, to listen to what He has to teach me.

Are we listening?

It feels good... ?

In a conversation today a person was sharing with me about a new church they are attending.  They made a remark that burns in my mind... "It feels good, so we go there."

I have been pondering this all day... it feels good.  Is it supposed to feel good?  When I leave church, I am I supposed to feel good?  Perhaps my inward response to this comment is a reflection of my worship experience today.  I didn't feel good when I left - I felt convicted.  I felt the need for a change in my life that is unprecedented. I felt that my life needs to measure up to what Jesus did on the cross - that my every waking moment should be wholly focused on what the Lord is asking of me.  Sitting back and feeling good is not an option for me!

There was a great tweet that came just at this moment of pondering: Go to church once a week and nobody pays attention. Worship God seven days a week and you become strange!" - AW Tozer.  I do not want to be a Christian that sits back and waits for what feels good.  I want my life to be affective for the Kingdom... yes Affective!!  I am reminded of where to put my trust and being careful not to slip in to what feels good.

"Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, And gird sackcloth on your waists." - Isaiah 32:11 

This is a battle that will not be won by feeling good...

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13


"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:10-13 
I'll take feeling good when the Bride of Christ meets her Maker.