by David Scott Robertson
I'm ready.
I'm ready to let go of control of my life.
I'm ready to abandon myself to the Lord Jesus Christ.
At long last I'm ready.
It's taken a lifetime, but I'm ready.
I'm ready to release my future and destiny to God.
I'm ready to yield and submit fully to the lordship of Christ Jesus.
I'm ready to get radical and fanatical.
I'm ready to be politically incorrect.
I'm ready to get crazy for Jesus.
I'm ready to get buck wild for the vision to win souls and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
I'm ready to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in me to be His witness (Acts 1:8).
I'm ready to walk in the power of a New Testament believer.
I'm ready to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.
I'm ready to forsake sin, resist temptation and take my own thoughts captive for the praise of His glory.
I'm ready to be fully delivered so I can work with the Holy Spirit to get others delivered fully.
I'm ready to bear the cost of being a disciple.
I'm ready to pray the price of being a man of prayer.
I'm ready to be a man full of God's Holy Spirit.
I'm ready to study to show myself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
I'm ready to take the promises of the Bible and walk them out in daily life.
I'm ready to preach, teach, and prophesy whenever, wherever, to whomever as the Spirit leads.
I'm ready to open my heart to Jesus, open my life to sinners, and open the way of life to persons lost and alone on life's highway wandering aimlessly.
I'm ready to receive the impartation of the anointing of the Holy Spirit for works of service for it is given only to those who will not squander it or sit idly by.
I'm ready to believe God for the supernatural to work in and through my life.
I'm ready to be like Jesus.
I'm ready to walk in the authority of a deputized follower of Christ who will do even greater works than Jesus because He said so.
I'm ready to fulfill those good works that God has prepared in advance for me to do (Eph. 2:10).
I'm ready to rise up and conquer, to be an overcomer and not overcome; to be a victor and not a victim; to walk in abundance and not lack; to be prosperous and in good health even as my soul prospers (1 John 3:2).
I'm ready to be about my Father's business and occupy until Jesus returns to earth in power and great glory.
Are you ready?
Ready or not, here I come!
DSR
7/30/03
Monday, July 28, 2003
Priceless
by David Scott Robertson
So you didn't win $20,000,000 in the lottery.
At least you had enough money to feed your family this week.
So you don't drive a Lexus.
At least you know the joy of reliable transportation.
So you don't live in what some would call a mansion.
At least you live in America where you can freely choose to live anywhere you want.
So you don't wear the finest and most fashionable clothes.
At least you own a coat to keep you cozy warm on a chilly winter morning.
So you don't have a big, lucrative position in a ultra successful career.
At least you work hard and honest and earn a decent living.
I suppose the comparisons in standards of living could go on endlessly but we don't need to in order to make the point.
The point is that wherever we happen to fall on the socio-economic scale, there are far more things of priceless value that money CANNOT buy than money CAN buy.
If you had $1,000,000 in the bank right now, would it affect the taste of your food?
Think about it.
You don't need taste buds to live but my oh my don't they increase the enjoyment of eating? If you can eat, that means you're alive. If you can eat, that means you have teeth, an appetite, and food readily available, and more than likely friends or family to socially enjoy the meal with. Once the food is eaten, your body uses if for energy. The energy gained from eating allows you to accomplish all sorts of things.
Finally, your body digests the food and eliminates it. All this happens without you even thinking about it. The only time you think about it is when these bodily functions don't work and then you'd gladly spend all the money you had in your bank account to get them to work properly if it were possible.
The joy and benefits of eating and tasting your food is just one example among thousands of simple pleasures that we take for granted that money CANNOT buy like…
Peace of mind, contentment, personal satisfaction, accomplishment, integrity and character, favor and a good name, the love of a committed spouse, the admiration of a child, the enduring fellowship of a faithful friend, the respect of a peer. Abilities, capabilities, faculties, opportunities, giftedness, talents, intelligence, reasoning, are but a few examples among innumerable privileges that money CANNOT buy. Money may be able to rent happiness but it CANNOT buy most things of TRUE value. (How you define "true value" will determine what kind of man or woman you are.)
The most profound expression of "true value", to my view, is found in the context of the spiritual realm. It's in the spiritual realm where things that on earth are perceived as "in-valuable" become "un-valuable".
For example, money can't buy salvation.
Money can't buy right standing with God.
Money can't buy access to heaven.
Money can't buy eternal life.
Money can't buy what the Bible calls "abundant life" (John 10:10).
Money can't bribe the devil to leave you alone or garner the favor of God to bless you.
Money is amoral -- neither good nor bad. How it is used and enjoyed or abused and misused is what we have to give a stewardship accounting to God for one day. It's been said that money makes a good servant but a terrible master. True indeed.
Therefore, my advice, for the reader today in this short thought is to not to worry about what you don't have nor boast in what you do possess. Simply be content with what you have, where you're at, whom you are with, and what you are while at the same time balancing that contentment with a continual dissatisfaction with status quo and perpetually pressing on to be all you can be for God.
The Apostle Paul wrote it much better than I ever could:
(Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Phil 4:12 KJV) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
DSR
7/28/03
So you didn't win $20,000,000 in the lottery.
At least you had enough money to feed your family this week.
So you don't drive a Lexus.
At least you know the joy of reliable transportation.
So you don't live in what some would call a mansion.
At least you live in America where you can freely choose to live anywhere you want.
So you don't wear the finest and most fashionable clothes.
At least you own a coat to keep you cozy warm on a chilly winter morning.
So you don't have a big, lucrative position in a ultra successful career.
At least you work hard and honest and earn a decent living.
I suppose the comparisons in standards of living could go on endlessly but we don't need to in order to make the point.
The point is that wherever we happen to fall on the socio-economic scale, there are far more things of priceless value that money CANNOT buy than money CAN buy.
If you had $1,000,000 in the bank right now, would it affect the taste of your food?
Think about it.
You don't need taste buds to live but my oh my don't they increase the enjoyment of eating? If you can eat, that means you're alive. If you can eat, that means you have teeth, an appetite, and food readily available, and more than likely friends or family to socially enjoy the meal with. Once the food is eaten, your body uses if for energy. The energy gained from eating allows you to accomplish all sorts of things.
Finally, your body digests the food and eliminates it. All this happens without you even thinking about it. The only time you think about it is when these bodily functions don't work and then you'd gladly spend all the money you had in your bank account to get them to work properly if it were possible.
The joy and benefits of eating and tasting your food is just one example among thousands of simple pleasures that we take for granted that money CANNOT buy like…
Peace of mind, contentment, personal satisfaction, accomplishment, integrity and character, favor and a good name, the love of a committed spouse, the admiration of a child, the enduring fellowship of a faithful friend, the respect of a peer. Abilities, capabilities, faculties, opportunities, giftedness, talents, intelligence, reasoning, are but a few examples among innumerable privileges that money CANNOT buy. Money may be able to rent happiness but it CANNOT buy most things of TRUE value. (How you define "true value" will determine what kind of man or woman you are.)
The most profound expression of "true value", to my view, is found in the context of the spiritual realm. It's in the spiritual realm where things that on earth are perceived as "in-valuable" become "un-valuable".
For example, money can't buy salvation.
Money can't buy right standing with God.
Money can't buy access to heaven.
Money can't buy eternal life.
Money can't buy what the Bible calls "abundant life" (John 10:10).
Money can't bribe the devil to leave you alone or garner the favor of God to bless you.
Money is amoral -- neither good nor bad. How it is used and enjoyed or abused and misused is what we have to give a stewardship accounting to God for one day. It's been said that money makes a good servant but a terrible master. True indeed.
Therefore, my advice, for the reader today in this short thought is to not to worry about what you don't have nor boast in what you do possess. Simply be content with what you have, where you're at, whom you are with, and what you are while at the same time balancing that contentment with a continual dissatisfaction with status quo and perpetually pressing on to be all you can be for God.
The Apostle Paul wrote it much better than I ever could:
(Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Phil 4:12 KJV) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
DSR
7/28/03
Monday, July 21, 2003
Scenes We'd Like to See in the Bible
by David Scott Robertson
SITUATION: SATAN TEMPTS EVE
(Gen 3:1 NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "DID GOD REALLY SAY, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
(Gen 3:2 NIV) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,
(Gen 3:3 NIV) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
(Gen 3:4 NIV) "YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE," the serpent said to the woman.
CONSEQUENCE: Sin, death, and disease entered the human race.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Eve (to the serpent): "Hey! You calling my Daddy a liar? We'll just see about that! I'm going right now to get Adam and we'll go see God and see just who the liar is, you or Him!"
SITUATION: CAIN'S OFFERING REJECTED
(Gen 4:3 NIV) In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
(Gen 4:4 NIV) But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
(Gen 4:5 NIV) but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. SO CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY, AND HIS FACE WAS DOWNCAST.
CONSEQUENCE: Cain allows anger and rage to drive him to commit the first murder in the Bible.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Cain (to the Lord): "Lord, you are so right and I am so wrong! I'm sorry! I'm going to offer the right sacrifice next time and ask my brother Abel to help me get it together correctly."
SITUATION: ABRAM'S WIFE TRIES TO HELP GOD OUT
(Gen 16:1 NIV) Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar;
(Gen 16:2 NIV) so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. GO, SLEEP WITH MY MAIDSERVANT; PERHAPS I CAN BUILD A FAMILY THROUGH HER." Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
CONSEQUENCE: The descendents of Ishmael (Palestinian nations) and the descendents of Isaac (the Jewish nation) have been at war ever since.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Abraham (to Sarai): "Hold on there, Sarai! Who knows what the long term effects of such a decision might be? Let's have faith and not stumble in unbelief regarding the promise of God concerning our son to be born through us."
SITUATION: LOT LOOKS OUT FOR #1
(Gen 13:7 NIV) And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
(Gen 13:8 NIV) So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
(Gen 13:9 NIV) Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
(Gen 13:10 NIV) Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
(Gen 13:11 NIV) SO LOT CHOSE FOR HIMSELF THE WHOLE PLAIN OF THE JORDAN and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:
(Gen 13:12 NIV) Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and PITCHED HIS TENTS NEAR SODOM.
CONSEQUENCE: Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom and eventually lives in the wicked city and it torments his righteous soul, lowers his standards for men to marry his daughters, and ultimately costs him his own marriage.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Lot (to Abram): "Uncle Abram, you have been so kind and generous to me and my wife and kids. How about you take the fertile plain and I'll head for the hills?"
SITUATION: MOSES MISREPRESENTS GOD TO THE PEOPLE
(Num 20:8 NIV) "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. SPEAK TO that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
(Num 20:11 NIV) Then Moses raised his arm and STRUCK THE ROCK twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
(Num 20:12 NIV) But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."
CONSEQUENCE: Moses forbidden from entering the Promised Land.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Moses (to the community of Israel): "Hey! Settle down, brothers! God is strong and powerful and loves you so much that all I've got to do is speak to this rock and water will flow out to water you, your little ones, your flocks and herds! After everyone is watered, I'll lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey!"
SITUATION: TEN FEARFUL SPIES POISON ISRAEL'S FAITH
(Num 13:25 NIV) At the end of forty days they [the twelve Israeli spies] returned from exploring the land.
(Num 13:26 NIV) They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
(Num 13:31 NIV) But the men [the ten fearful spies] who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
(Num 13:32 NIV) AND THEY SPREAD AMONG THE ISRAELITES A BAD REPORT ABOUT THE LAND THEY HAD EXPLORED. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
CONSEQUENCE: Every adult twenty years and older sentenced by God to wander and die in the desert for the next forty years (except Joshua and Caleb).
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: The ten spies (to Moses and the community): "We're with Joshua and Caleb! We can conquer these overgrown bullies without question because the God who brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand will bring us into the Promised Land with a mighty hand!"
SITUATION: JOSHUA FAILS TO "INQUIRE OF THE LORD"
(Josh 9:3 NIV) However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
(Josh 9:4 NIV) they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
(Josh 9:14 NIV) The men of Israel sampled their provisions BUT DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD.
CONSEQUENCE: Joshua erroneously makes a treaty with an enemy and the whole assembly grumbles against him and the leaders.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Joshua (to the Gibeonites trying to trick him): "Hold on a minute fellas! Before I make my decision, let me go and check this out with God to see if you're on the up and up!"
SITUATION: SAMSON'S LUST BLINDS HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
(Judg 16:6 NIV) So Delilah said to Samson, "TELL ME THE SECRET OF YOUR GREAT STRENGTH and how you can be tied up and subdued."
CONSEQUENCE: Samson betrayed to the Philistines by Delilah and is blinded while in slavery.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Samson (to Delilah): "You know what, Delilah? I've just come to the realization that every time I confide in you the secret of my great strength, the very next thing that happens to me is an attack in that very area. You're using your body to coax the truth out of me. I'm out of here, you traitor!"
SITUATION: SAUL'S IMPATIENCE CAUSES HIM TO OFFER UNAUTHORIZED SACRIFICE
(1 Sam 13:9 NIV) So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. " And Saul offered up the burnt offering.
(1 Sam 13:10 NIV) JUST AS HE FINISHED MAKING THE OFFERING, SAMUEL ARRIVED, and Saul went out to greet him.
(1 Sam 13:11 NIV) "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash,
(1 Sam 13:12 NIV) I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' SO I FELT COMPELLED TO OFFER THE BURNT OFFERING."
(1 Sam 13:13 NIV) "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
CONSEQUENCE: God abandons disobedient King Saul and Saul forfeits the kingdom.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Saul (to his soldiers): "Let's give Samuel another five minutes before we take matters into our own hands."
SITUATION: KING DAVID LUSTS FOR BATHING BEAUTY
(2 Sam 11:1 NIV) IN THE SPRING, AT THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. BUT DAVID REMAINED IN JERUSALEM.
(2 Sam 11:2 NIV) One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,
(2 Sam 11:3 NIV) and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
(2 Sam 11:4 NIV) Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.
CONSEQUENCE: Because David was not where he was supposed to be (he was in the wrong place at the wrong time), David falls into lust, commits adultery, and ends up masterminding a successful plot to murder his lover's husband.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: David (from his roof to Bathsheba): "Hey lady! Yeah, you! Close the curtains when you take a bath, will you? You're liable to cause the married men around here to stumble!
(To himself): "I'm going to join my troops! It's a whole lot safer on the battlefield than here on my roof!"
SITUATION: KING HEROD MAKES FOOLISH OFFER
(Mat 14:6 NIV) On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much
(Mat 14:7 NIV) THAT HE PROMISED WITH AN OATH TO GIVE HER WHATEVER SHE ASKED.
(Mat 14:8 NIV) Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
(Mat 14:9 NIV) The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
(Mat 14:10 NIV) and had John beheaded in the prison.
CONSEQUENCE: One of the greatest men who ever lived (according to Jesus - see Matthew 11:11) was murdered.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Herod (to Herodias): "Great dance, Herodias! Outstanding! Tell you what…ask of me anything you want up to half my kingdom and short of murder and I'll give it to you."
SITUATION: PILATE CONDEMNS THE CHRIST TO DEATH
(Mat 27:24 NIV) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
(Mat 27:25 NIV) All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
(Mat 27:26 NIV) THEN HE RELEASED BARABBAS TO THEM. BUT HE HAD JESUS FLOGGED, AND HANDED HIM OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED.
CONSEQUENCE: The spineless Pilate succumbs to the pressure of public opinion and becomes an accessory to the murder of Jesus Christ.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Pilate (to the crowd): "Crucify Him? You've got to be kidding! Why do you think I'm in authority and you're not? As long as I'm in charge around here I will not allow innocent men to be condemned. You may want Him to die but not on my watch!"
SITUATION: JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS WITH A KISS
(Luke 22:47 NIV) While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
(Luke 22:48 NIV) but Jesus asked him, "JUDAS, ARE YOU BETRAYING THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?"
CONSEQUENCE: Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus, commits suicide, and trades away a lofty position in heaven to the lowest place in hell.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Judas (to Jesus before he kissed Him): "Master, I've really messed up! Because of my greed, I've been betraying you and I am sorry, Lord! I repent! I can't go through with this! Please forgive me!"
SITUATION: THE RICH, YOUNG RULER CHOOSES UNWISELY
(Mark 10:17 NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
(Mark 10:19 NIV) You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
(Mark 10:20 NIV) "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
(Mark 10:21 NIV) Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
(Mark 10:22 NIV) AT THIS THE MAN'S FACE FELL. HE WENT AWAY SAD, BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT WEALTH.
CONSEQUENCE: The rich, young ruler misses the opportunity of a lifetime and today we don't even know his name.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Rich, young ruler (to Jesus): "Lord, I will do as you say and come and follow you. You are worth more than all my possessions. I trust that the riches of knowing you are of far greater value than all my worldly riches combined."
SITUATION: THE PRODIGAL SON LAUNCHES OUT
(Luke 15:11 NIV) Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
(Luke 15:12 NIV) The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
(Luke 15:13 NIV) "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
(Luke 15:14 NIV) AFTER HE HAD SPENT EVERYTHING, THERE WAS A SEVERE FAMINE IN THAT WHOLE COUNTRY, AND HE BEGAN TO BE IN NEED.
CONSEQUENCE: The prodigal son loses everything and hits rock bottom.
SCENES WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Younger son (to his father before leaving): "Dad, you're the greatest! Where could I ever go on God's green earth to find a better place to call home? I don't want anybody or anything to ever come between us, father!"
SITUATION: PEOPLE ARE LOST AND SEPARATED FROM GOD
(Rom 3:23 NIV) for ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…"
(Rom 6:23 NIV) For THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Isa 53:6 NIV) WE ALL, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE GONE ASTRAY, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
CONSEQUENCE: People who die without Christ are eternally separated from God.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO SEE: (Acts 3:19 NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
(Acts 3:20 NIV) and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.
(Acts 16:31 NIV) They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:17 NIV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(Rom 10:9 NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Rom 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
DSR
7/21/03
SITUATION: SATAN TEMPTS EVE
(Gen 3:1 NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "DID GOD REALLY SAY, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
(Gen 3:2 NIV) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,
(Gen 3:3 NIV) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
(Gen 3:4 NIV) "YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE," the serpent said to the woman.
CONSEQUENCE: Sin, death, and disease entered the human race.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Eve (to the serpent): "Hey! You calling my Daddy a liar? We'll just see about that! I'm going right now to get Adam and we'll go see God and see just who the liar is, you or Him!"
SITUATION: CAIN'S OFFERING REJECTED
(Gen 4:3 NIV) In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
(Gen 4:4 NIV) But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
(Gen 4:5 NIV) but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. SO CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY, AND HIS FACE WAS DOWNCAST.
CONSEQUENCE: Cain allows anger and rage to drive him to commit the first murder in the Bible.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Cain (to the Lord): "Lord, you are so right and I am so wrong! I'm sorry! I'm going to offer the right sacrifice next time and ask my brother Abel to help me get it together correctly."
SITUATION: ABRAM'S WIFE TRIES TO HELP GOD OUT
(Gen 16:1 NIV) Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar;
(Gen 16:2 NIV) so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. GO, SLEEP WITH MY MAIDSERVANT; PERHAPS I CAN BUILD A FAMILY THROUGH HER." Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
CONSEQUENCE: The descendents of Ishmael (Palestinian nations) and the descendents of Isaac (the Jewish nation) have been at war ever since.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Abraham (to Sarai): "Hold on there, Sarai! Who knows what the long term effects of such a decision might be? Let's have faith and not stumble in unbelief regarding the promise of God concerning our son to be born through us."
SITUATION: LOT LOOKS OUT FOR #1
(Gen 13:7 NIV) And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
(Gen 13:8 NIV) So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
(Gen 13:9 NIV) Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
(Gen 13:10 NIV) Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
(Gen 13:11 NIV) SO LOT CHOSE FOR HIMSELF THE WHOLE PLAIN OF THE JORDAN and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:
(Gen 13:12 NIV) Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and PITCHED HIS TENTS NEAR SODOM.
CONSEQUENCE: Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom and eventually lives in the wicked city and it torments his righteous soul, lowers his standards for men to marry his daughters, and ultimately costs him his own marriage.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Lot (to Abram): "Uncle Abram, you have been so kind and generous to me and my wife and kids. How about you take the fertile plain and I'll head for the hills?"
SITUATION: MOSES MISREPRESENTS GOD TO THE PEOPLE
(Num 20:8 NIV) "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. SPEAK TO that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
(Num 20:11 NIV) Then Moses raised his arm and STRUCK THE ROCK twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
(Num 20:12 NIV) But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."
CONSEQUENCE: Moses forbidden from entering the Promised Land.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Moses (to the community of Israel): "Hey! Settle down, brothers! God is strong and powerful and loves you so much that all I've got to do is speak to this rock and water will flow out to water you, your little ones, your flocks and herds! After everyone is watered, I'll lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey!"
SITUATION: TEN FEARFUL SPIES POISON ISRAEL'S FAITH
(Num 13:25 NIV) At the end of forty days they [the twelve Israeli spies] returned from exploring the land.
(Num 13:26 NIV) They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
(Num 13:31 NIV) But the men [the ten fearful spies] who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
(Num 13:32 NIV) AND THEY SPREAD AMONG THE ISRAELITES A BAD REPORT ABOUT THE LAND THEY HAD EXPLORED. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
CONSEQUENCE: Every adult twenty years and older sentenced by God to wander and die in the desert for the next forty years (except Joshua and Caleb).
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: The ten spies (to Moses and the community): "We're with Joshua and Caleb! We can conquer these overgrown bullies without question because the God who brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand will bring us into the Promised Land with a mighty hand!"
SITUATION: JOSHUA FAILS TO "INQUIRE OF THE LORD"
(Josh 9:3 NIV) However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
(Josh 9:4 NIV) they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
(Josh 9:14 NIV) The men of Israel sampled their provisions BUT DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD.
CONSEQUENCE: Joshua erroneously makes a treaty with an enemy and the whole assembly grumbles against him and the leaders.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Joshua (to the Gibeonites trying to trick him): "Hold on a minute fellas! Before I make my decision, let me go and check this out with God to see if you're on the up and up!"
SITUATION: SAMSON'S LUST BLINDS HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
(Judg 16:6 NIV) So Delilah said to Samson, "TELL ME THE SECRET OF YOUR GREAT STRENGTH and how you can be tied up and subdued."
CONSEQUENCE: Samson betrayed to the Philistines by Delilah and is blinded while in slavery.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Samson (to Delilah): "You know what, Delilah? I've just come to the realization that every time I confide in you the secret of my great strength, the very next thing that happens to me is an attack in that very area. You're using your body to coax the truth out of me. I'm out of here, you traitor!"
SITUATION: SAUL'S IMPATIENCE CAUSES HIM TO OFFER UNAUTHORIZED SACRIFICE
(1 Sam 13:9 NIV) So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. " And Saul offered up the burnt offering.
(1 Sam 13:10 NIV) JUST AS HE FINISHED MAKING THE OFFERING, SAMUEL ARRIVED, and Saul went out to greet him.
(1 Sam 13:11 NIV) "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash,
(1 Sam 13:12 NIV) I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' SO I FELT COMPELLED TO OFFER THE BURNT OFFERING."
(1 Sam 13:13 NIV) "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
CONSEQUENCE: God abandons disobedient King Saul and Saul forfeits the kingdom.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Saul (to his soldiers): "Let's give Samuel another five minutes before we take matters into our own hands."
SITUATION: KING DAVID LUSTS FOR BATHING BEAUTY
(2 Sam 11:1 NIV) IN THE SPRING, AT THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. BUT DAVID REMAINED IN JERUSALEM.
(2 Sam 11:2 NIV) One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,
(2 Sam 11:3 NIV) and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
(2 Sam 11:4 NIV) Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.
CONSEQUENCE: Because David was not where he was supposed to be (he was in the wrong place at the wrong time), David falls into lust, commits adultery, and ends up masterminding a successful plot to murder his lover's husband.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: David (from his roof to Bathsheba): "Hey lady! Yeah, you! Close the curtains when you take a bath, will you? You're liable to cause the married men around here to stumble!
(To himself): "I'm going to join my troops! It's a whole lot safer on the battlefield than here on my roof!"
SITUATION: KING HEROD MAKES FOOLISH OFFER
(Mat 14:6 NIV) On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much
(Mat 14:7 NIV) THAT HE PROMISED WITH AN OATH TO GIVE HER WHATEVER SHE ASKED.
(Mat 14:8 NIV) Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
(Mat 14:9 NIV) The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
(Mat 14:10 NIV) and had John beheaded in the prison.
CONSEQUENCE: One of the greatest men who ever lived (according to Jesus - see Matthew 11:11) was murdered.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Herod (to Herodias): "Great dance, Herodias! Outstanding! Tell you what…ask of me anything you want up to half my kingdom and short of murder and I'll give it to you."
SITUATION: PILATE CONDEMNS THE CHRIST TO DEATH
(Mat 27:24 NIV) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
(Mat 27:25 NIV) All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
(Mat 27:26 NIV) THEN HE RELEASED BARABBAS TO THEM. BUT HE HAD JESUS FLOGGED, AND HANDED HIM OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED.
CONSEQUENCE: The spineless Pilate succumbs to the pressure of public opinion and becomes an accessory to the murder of Jesus Christ.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Pilate (to the crowd): "Crucify Him? You've got to be kidding! Why do you think I'm in authority and you're not? As long as I'm in charge around here I will not allow innocent men to be condemned. You may want Him to die but not on my watch!"
SITUATION: JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS WITH A KISS
(Luke 22:47 NIV) While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
(Luke 22:48 NIV) but Jesus asked him, "JUDAS, ARE YOU BETRAYING THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?"
CONSEQUENCE: Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus, commits suicide, and trades away a lofty position in heaven to the lowest place in hell.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Judas (to Jesus before he kissed Him): "Master, I've really messed up! Because of my greed, I've been betraying you and I am sorry, Lord! I repent! I can't go through with this! Please forgive me!"
SITUATION: THE RICH, YOUNG RULER CHOOSES UNWISELY
(Mark 10:17 NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
(Mark 10:19 NIV) You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
(Mark 10:20 NIV) "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
(Mark 10:21 NIV) Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
(Mark 10:22 NIV) AT THIS THE MAN'S FACE FELL. HE WENT AWAY SAD, BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT WEALTH.
CONSEQUENCE: The rich, young ruler misses the opportunity of a lifetime and today we don't even know his name.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Rich, young ruler (to Jesus): "Lord, I will do as you say and come and follow you. You are worth more than all my possessions. I trust that the riches of knowing you are of far greater value than all my worldly riches combined."
SITUATION: THE PRODIGAL SON LAUNCHES OUT
(Luke 15:11 NIV) Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
(Luke 15:12 NIV) The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
(Luke 15:13 NIV) "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
(Luke 15:14 NIV) AFTER HE HAD SPENT EVERYTHING, THERE WAS A SEVERE FAMINE IN THAT WHOLE COUNTRY, AND HE BEGAN TO BE IN NEED.
CONSEQUENCE: The prodigal son loses everything and hits rock bottom.
SCENES WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Younger son (to his father before leaving): "Dad, you're the greatest! Where could I ever go on God's green earth to find a better place to call home? I don't want anybody or anything to ever come between us, father!"
SITUATION: PEOPLE ARE LOST AND SEPARATED FROM GOD
(Rom 3:23 NIV) for ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…"
(Rom 6:23 NIV) For THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Isa 53:6 NIV) WE ALL, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE GONE ASTRAY, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
CONSEQUENCE: People who die without Christ are eternally separated from God.
SCENE WE'D LIKE TO SEE: (Acts 3:19 NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
(Acts 3:20 NIV) and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.
(Acts 16:31 NIV) They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:17 NIV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(Rom 10:9 NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Rom 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
DSR
7/21/03
Monday, July 14, 2003
What Are You "In To" These Days
by David Scott Robertson
I live IN the United States of America,
IN the State of Tennessee,
IN Rutherford County,
IN the City of Murfreesboro,
IN a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood.
I'm IN love with my wife,
IN good relationship with my daughter and family who are all IN good health.
On top of that, I'm IN a good financial situation.
I enjoy good standing IN the community and I'm IN a great church.
Whatever you or I may be "IN to"
Does not compare to being…
"IN Christ."
Without Him you and I are
IN trouble,
IN hot water,
IN a state of confusion,
IN store for an eternity without God.
These two words: "IN Christ," change everything.
It means your name is written IN the Lamb's Book of Life.
It means you have a mansion reserved for you IN heaven.
It means you have God living IN you.
It means that you are IN God's Word, IN the faith, and walking IN truth.
You're IN the household of faith,
IN the family of God,
IN line for abundant life,
The blessings of God are IN store for you because you are abiding IN the secret place of the Most High.
All this because you and I are "IN Christ."
What are you IN to these days?
Whatever you may be involved IN,
Above all, make certain that you are IN Christ, for then, you will be IN position to be IN the center of God's will.
That's important because "IN [His] presence there is fullness of joy and at [His] right hand there are pleasures evermore" (Psalm 16:11).
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all IN the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).
DSR
7/14/03
I live IN the United States of America,
IN the State of Tennessee,
IN Rutherford County,
IN the City of Murfreesboro,
IN a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood.
I'm IN love with my wife,
IN good relationship with my daughter and family who are all IN good health.
On top of that, I'm IN a good financial situation.
I enjoy good standing IN the community and I'm IN a great church.
Whatever you or I may be "IN to"
Does not compare to being…
"IN Christ."
Without Him you and I are
IN trouble,
IN hot water,
IN a state of confusion,
IN store for an eternity without God.
These two words: "IN Christ," change everything.
It means your name is written IN the Lamb's Book of Life.
It means you have a mansion reserved for you IN heaven.
It means you have God living IN you.
It means that you are IN God's Word, IN the faith, and walking IN truth.
You're IN the household of faith,
IN the family of God,
IN line for abundant life,
The blessings of God are IN store for you because you are abiding IN the secret place of the Most High.
All this because you and I are "IN Christ."
What are you IN to these days?
Whatever you may be involved IN,
Above all, make certain that you are IN Christ, for then, you will be IN position to be IN the center of God's will.
That's important because "IN [His] presence there is fullness of joy and at [His] right hand there are pleasures evermore" (Psalm 16:11).
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all IN the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).
DSR
7/14/03
Monday, July 7, 2003
Your Love IS Better Than Life!
by David Scott Robertson
"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you" Psalm 63:3
I remember this verse.
As a 12-year old young person I heard this verse in church being quoted by the pastor.
I even remember where I was sitting that day - on the back pew.
The reason I remember it so well is because at the time I didn't believe it.
I remember having a conversation with myself after the passage was quoted.
In my mind I was challenging the pastor's declaration and the conclusion I arrived at was (employing the wisdom and mental faculties of a 12-year-old mind): "I disagree with that scripture. My life is better than God's love." I remember disagreeing with the pastor and rejecting outright what he said was true.
As a 7th grader who had not yet been born again, I had just gotten out of school for summer vacation. My mind was filled with thoughts of all the fun a 7th grader could get into being freed from prison for three months. After all, how could the "love of God" possibly compare with my friends, riding my bike, swimming, watching television, playing tennis, and getting into everything I could get in to? God's love sounding "boring" to me. At the time I thought trading my idea of fun for God's love was a poor trade. I concluded it was a crummy deal and I wasn't buying it.
Right then and there, as I was daydreaming (little did I know that I was doing what the Bible calls "counting the cost" of being a disciple of Jesus) I made up my mind, that my life was better than God's love.
I was wrong.
I spent the entire summer without God. I went on "vacation" and left God at church.
Oh, I visited God at His house on Sundays, but it was to me kind of like visiting an elderly aunt because your parents made you. I would have much preferred to go to my friends' house instead of God's house any day of the week.
Church and a relationship with the Lord were the furthest thing from my mind. After all, I was having fun! I was enjoying my life! I'm young, I've got a lot of living to do! (or so I thought).
I was spending lots of time with my friends, swimming, watching television, playing tennis and getting into everything I could get in to. But somewhere along the line, it happened. It hit me. Subtly at first, but the feelings grew. There came a time during that summer break that I came to an understanding that my life of exciting adventures apart from God was not all that it was cracked up to be.
Later, in retrospect, I have come to understand that the prayers of my parents and other Christians who cared enough about me to pray were laboring together with God and the result of their intercession for me was conviction.
Conviction is the best and worst thing a 12-year-old boy can experience. It is a grace gift from God that says "I've not given up on you".
As the crazy, lazy days of summer began to draw to a close, I had time to think. And during some of those "thinking times" up in tree, wading in a creek, riding my bike alone, somewhere along the line I began to review and evaluate my summer adventures. And when I tallied it all up, to my surprise, I came up short. And somewhere in all of that I made a startling discovery about myself - a realization that comes to every man and woman on the planet sooner or later, at one time or another - and that was that inside I was empty
And although I didn't understand it at the time (and I certainly didn't have enough theology in me to comprehend that God was working on me) I began to become increasingly aware of this profound, hollowness inside me that everything I tried to stuff in there didn't fill. Something was missing that friends, sports, and television couldn't replace.
And in those moments of "thinking" my belief system began to crumble. My firm conviction that my life was better than God's love began to waffle and waiver. The foundation of my faith had basically been built upon the trinity of me, myself, and I. (I was about to encounter the real Trinity!)
One Sunday morning I went to church as usual with my parents (thank God for parents who had enough on the ball spiritually to faithfully take the family to church!) I have no idea what the preacher preached that day but it was enough. He and the Holy Spirit were tag-teaming and putting the hurt on my pride, error, and sin.
It was enough and instead of crying "uncle" I cried "Lord" and gave up. When the altar call was given I irresistibly responded and knelt at an altar and invited Jesus to move in to my heart and life.
I got saved that day. I really did experience the "new birth" and became a child of God and I will never forget the peace that flooded my soul. I loved everybody and thought everybody loved me. And I began the greatest adventure of my life.
It's been thirty years since that day and this coming Sunday you will find me faithfully taking my wife and daughter to church.
Since that wonderful day I have developed the good habit of daily Bible reading. And each time I encounter Psalm 63:3 in my readings, thoughts similar to those I've shared surface.
I started my Bible reading today with Psalm 63:1 but I only got three verses into it when I stopped and began to write what you have now read.
Although I've only read three verses, I think I'm done with my Bible study for the day. It only took 15 seconds to have an experience with God this morning. Tomorrow morning I'll open the Word again and expect something fresh and new to flood my soul. But one thing I know for sure right now that I can tell you, and mean it with all of my heart…
GOD'S LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL GLORIFY HIM!
DSR
7/7/03
"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you" Psalm 63:3
I remember this verse.
As a 12-year old young person I heard this verse in church being quoted by the pastor.
I even remember where I was sitting that day - on the back pew.
The reason I remember it so well is because at the time I didn't believe it.
I remember having a conversation with myself after the passage was quoted.
In my mind I was challenging the pastor's declaration and the conclusion I arrived at was (employing the wisdom and mental faculties of a 12-year-old mind): "I disagree with that scripture. My life is better than God's love." I remember disagreeing with the pastor and rejecting outright what he said was true.
As a 7th grader who had not yet been born again, I had just gotten out of school for summer vacation. My mind was filled with thoughts of all the fun a 7th grader could get into being freed from prison for three months. After all, how could the "love of God" possibly compare with my friends, riding my bike, swimming, watching television, playing tennis, and getting into everything I could get in to? God's love sounding "boring" to me. At the time I thought trading my idea of fun for God's love was a poor trade. I concluded it was a crummy deal and I wasn't buying it.
Right then and there, as I was daydreaming (little did I know that I was doing what the Bible calls "counting the cost" of being a disciple of Jesus) I made up my mind, that my life was better than God's love.
I was wrong.
I spent the entire summer without God. I went on "vacation" and left God at church.
Oh, I visited God at His house on Sundays, but it was to me kind of like visiting an elderly aunt because your parents made you. I would have much preferred to go to my friends' house instead of God's house any day of the week.
Church and a relationship with the Lord were the furthest thing from my mind. After all, I was having fun! I was enjoying my life! I'm young, I've got a lot of living to do! (or so I thought).
I was spending lots of time with my friends, swimming, watching television, playing tennis and getting into everything I could get in to. But somewhere along the line, it happened. It hit me. Subtly at first, but the feelings grew. There came a time during that summer break that I came to an understanding that my life of exciting adventures apart from God was not all that it was cracked up to be.
Later, in retrospect, I have come to understand that the prayers of my parents and other Christians who cared enough about me to pray were laboring together with God and the result of their intercession for me was conviction.
Conviction is the best and worst thing a 12-year-old boy can experience. It is a grace gift from God that says "I've not given up on you".
As the crazy, lazy days of summer began to draw to a close, I had time to think. And during some of those "thinking times" up in tree, wading in a creek, riding my bike alone, somewhere along the line I began to review and evaluate my summer adventures. And when I tallied it all up, to my surprise, I came up short. And somewhere in all of that I made a startling discovery about myself - a realization that comes to every man and woman on the planet sooner or later, at one time or another - and that was that inside I was empty
And although I didn't understand it at the time (and I certainly didn't have enough theology in me to comprehend that God was working on me) I began to become increasingly aware of this profound, hollowness inside me that everything I tried to stuff in there didn't fill. Something was missing that friends, sports, and television couldn't replace.
And in those moments of "thinking" my belief system began to crumble. My firm conviction that my life was better than God's love began to waffle and waiver. The foundation of my faith had basically been built upon the trinity of me, myself, and I. (I was about to encounter the real Trinity!)
One Sunday morning I went to church as usual with my parents (thank God for parents who had enough on the ball spiritually to faithfully take the family to church!) I have no idea what the preacher preached that day but it was enough. He and the Holy Spirit were tag-teaming and putting the hurt on my pride, error, and sin.
It was enough and instead of crying "uncle" I cried "Lord" and gave up. When the altar call was given I irresistibly responded and knelt at an altar and invited Jesus to move in to my heart and life.
I got saved that day. I really did experience the "new birth" and became a child of God and I will never forget the peace that flooded my soul. I loved everybody and thought everybody loved me. And I began the greatest adventure of my life.
It's been thirty years since that day and this coming Sunday you will find me faithfully taking my wife and daughter to church.
Since that wonderful day I have developed the good habit of daily Bible reading. And each time I encounter Psalm 63:3 in my readings, thoughts similar to those I've shared surface.
I started my Bible reading today with Psalm 63:1 but I only got three verses into it when I stopped and began to write what you have now read.
Although I've only read three verses, I think I'm done with my Bible study for the day. It only took 15 seconds to have an experience with God this morning. Tomorrow morning I'll open the Word again and expect something fresh and new to flood my soul. But one thing I know for sure right now that I can tell you, and mean it with all of my heart…
GOD'S LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL GLORIFY HIM!
DSR
7/7/03
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)