How do you derive pleasure from your relationship with God?
Earthly pleasures are in the flesh. They are instantly gratifying. Be it eating an extra hot Nandos half-chicken with peri-peri chips, indulging in certain "refreshments" after a hard day's work or engaging in other "extra-curricular activities".
Heavenly pleasures are in the soul. They are not necessarily instant. In order to enjoy heavenly pleasures and resist the allures of earthly pleasures will require self-control and patience. Self-control to resist the call for instant gratification. Patience to wait on God and enjoy his presence.
Hmmm. Patience and Self-control. Two very difficult things to master. But both that require the relinquishment of one’s will. Reminds me of the song below:
“Take my heart and mould it
Take my mind, transform it
Take my will, conform it
To yours, To yours O Lord”
I need to desire heavenly pleasures with the same zeal (if not more) I do earthly ones. More importantly, I need to pray for patience and self-control. I believe this is something God has been impressing on me for a while now and it is time I start to take it very seriously.
Father, help me seek heavenly pleasures at all times especially in my lows and resist the allure of earthly pleasures which despite their attractiveness will never fill that emptiness and void which only You can.
On a side note. Tomorrow is Friday men. Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
We will never deserve it
"All our righteousness is like filthy rags"
Ive come to the realisation that God doesn't bless us because we deserve it. God's decision to bless us is based on His love for us and our faith in Him. The notion that God's decision to bless us being a sum total of points we accumulated by being good is untrue. We do not and never will merit God's blessing by our works. Our righteousness has been described as "filty rags". God's favour on our lives is living proof of our relationship with Him. If we walk with God, we should expect to be blessed. His favour will follow us. So the most important thing is to seek God. To be in close fellowship with Him.
Does that mean we can do whatever we want and still be blessed? NO!!!!!!!! But when you are in a close relationship with God, you really want to obey Him. You long after Him and want to keep His commandments. You don't want to let Him down.
I suppose its all about having your heart in the right place.
Ok peeps. Have a great week.
Ive come to the realisation that God doesn't bless us because we deserve it. God's decision to bless us is based on His love for us and our faith in Him. The notion that God's decision to bless us being a sum total of points we accumulated by being good is untrue. We do not and never will merit God's blessing by our works. Our righteousness has been described as "filty rags". God's favour on our lives is living proof of our relationship with Him. If we walk with God, we should expect to be blessed. His favour will follow us. So the most important thing is to seek God. To be in close fellowship with Him.
Does that mean we can do whatever we want and still be blessed? NO!!!!!!!! But when you are in a close relationship with God, you really want to obey Him. You long after Him and want to keep His commandments. You don't want to let Him down.
I suppose its all about having your heart in the right place.
Ok peeps. Have a great week.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Most High Place
"Down at your feet O Lord is the most high place"
During yesterday's mid-week service, this song was sang during praise worship and it was moving. Its surprising how its in the low points of our lives, in our brokenness and hopelessness that we appreciate the presence of God the most and He can have the most impact in us. Its in the cases when we submit to His authority, that He takes authority over our lives. When we look for Him,that He looks after us.
"Down at your feet O Lord is the most high place"
It's in our lows that we enjoy our highs in our relationship with God. When we experience his forgiveness in moments after losing our way. When He comes through for us when everything else fails.In a world where we under pressure to be dominant. To be on top. To be running things. Isn't it amazing how submissiveness wins the day?
Anyway that was just a random thought.
Easy
During yesterday's mid-week service, this song was sang during praise worship and it was moving. Its surprising how its in the low points of our lives, in our brokenness and hopelessness that we appreciate the presence of God the most and He can have the most impact in us. Its in the cases when we submit to His authority, that He takes authority over our lives. When we look for Him,that He looks after us.
"Down at your feet O Lord is the most high place"
It's in our lows that we enjoy our highs in our relationship with God. When we experience his forgiveness in moments after losing our way. When He comes through for us when everything else fails.In a world where we under pressure to be dominant. To be on top. To be running things. Isn't it amazing how submissiveness wins the day?
Anyway that was just a random thought.
Easy
A Man After God’s Heart
I recently finished reading a book my mother got me on the life of David and what a fantastic read it was. There is so much to learn from his life. It shows how God can pluck one out of a position of obscurity to one of prominence. How he protects us during trying times. How he punishes us for our sins and gives us the grace to bear the consequences of our actions. But the amazing part of it all is despite all David’s shortcomings and sins, including murder and adultery, he was still considered “A man after God’s heart”. And why? Because David loved God. Had a deep relationship with Him. He heard from God and did what God wanted him to do. Whenever he erred he went running back to Him. For forgiveness. For cleansing. For restoration.
The life of David shows there is still hope for us all. We can fulfill our divinely ordained destinies in our lives despite our flaws and shortcomings. We just have to remain close to God. I now understand why the older generation keep on harping on about this. They’ve seen it all and know its importance. Throughout the storms of life, caused by our own actions or not, we need Him to see us through.
Thanks mum for getting me the book. Sorry it took me forever to read it :)
To everyone else, its almost the weekend. YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The life of David shows there is still hope for us all. We can fulfill our divinely ordained destinies in our lives despite our flaws and shortcomings. We just have to remain close to God. I now understand why the older generation keep on harping on about this. They’ve seen it all and know its importance. Throughout the storms of life, caused by our own actions or not, we need Him to see us through.
Thanks mum for getting me the book. Sorry it took me forever to read it :)
To everyone else, its almost the weekend. YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 10, 2007
He Knows Your Number
NEVER EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE DEVIL. He is a powerful adversary. He knows your number. He knows your weakness. He knows what makes you tick and he will willingly exploit it for his own ends. To be honest am amazed at his ability to enter my head and pollute my thoughts. Play to my weaknesses and challenges i face. Forcing me to believe the lies he is telling me. Damn his good. He is so sly. And you know what, if you don’t snap out of it quickly you fall for this cheap trick.
There was a time when I didn’t really believe the devil existed. That it was a whole lot of hogwash. But men. I believe it big time. Anytime I start making progress in my spiritual life, the guy comes back again. Telling me the same lies he always has. Trying to get me to belittle or doubt my relationship with God. Trying to make me yield to the desires of my flesh. But the devil is a liar. You might be powerful. More powerful than me. But less powerful than the God that loves me and protects me.
I need to understand the devil is never going to be happy with me making progress in my spiritual life and it is guaranteed that he will try and frustrate it. But i have a supreme weapon in my arsenal to defeat all his wiles. It is the grace and mercy of God. It must hurt the devil to know that i have someone who loves me, ready to pick me up when i fall. That will never lose faith in me. Thats willing me on to victory. My greatest weapon is God's love for me. It truly is great. After i dust myself up, and go to Him to wash myself clean, i feel cleansed. Ready to go to battle again.
Father i know you love me and mercy and grace abounds. But father i need to keep it in balance. Dont let me take your love for me for granted. Keep me close to you in Jesus name.
There was a time when I didn’t really believe the devil existed. That it was a whole lot of hogwash. But men. I believe it big time. Anytime I start making progress in my spiritual life, the guy comes back again. Telling me the same lies he always has. Trying to get me to belittle or doubt my relationship with God. Trying to make me yield to the desires of my flesh. But the devil is a liar. You might be powerful. More powerful than me. But less powerful than the God that loves me and protects me.
I need to understand the devil is never going to be happy with me making progress in my spiritual life and it is guaranteed that he will try and frustrate it. But i have a supreme weapon in my arsenal to defeat all his wiles. It is the grace and mercy of God. It must hurt the devil to know that i have someone who loves me, ready to pick me up when i fall. That will never lose faith in me. Thats willing me on to victory. My greatest weapon is God's love for me. It truly is great. After i dust myself up, and go to Him to wash myself clean, i feel cleansed. Ready to go to battle again.
Father i know you love me and mercy and grace abounds. But father i need to keep it in balance. Dont let me take your love for me for granted. Keep me close to you in Jesus name.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Extracts from Ps 119
I stumbled on this verse below while doing my devotion this morning. Hope it speaks to someone as well.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments!
11 I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed be thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes!
13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 In the way of thy testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways.
16 I will delight in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live and observe thy word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a sojourner on earth; hide not thy commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing for thy ordinances at all times.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments!
11 I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed be thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes!
13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 In the way of thy testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways.
16 I will delight in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live and observe thy word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a sojourner on earth; hide not thy commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing for thy ordinances at all times.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Wise Words from Hoobastank
“Am not a perfect person, there many things I wish I didn’t do
But I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you
and so i have to say before i go, that i just want you to know
i've found a reason for me, to change who i used to be
a reason to start over new, and the reason is you”
This is the first stanza from the Hoobastank song “The Reason”. I heard this song on Rick Dees a few weeks back. It had been ages since the last time I heard it and this time I interpreted the lyrics in a completely different way.
Am working on my relationship with God again and apart from a few blips here and there, it is slowly getting back on track. The solution was simple. Just spend more time with Him. The more time you spend with Him, the closer you feel to him. Sounds funny cos that is kinda obvious. The answer kept on staring me in the face and I just refused to see it. Yeah and whenever you are going through a spiritual low, whatever you do make sure you go to church. Neva mess with that one. If you aint gonna spend time with God in private, that’s one of the last ways He can reach you. Through his word booming from the pulpit.
“Am not a perfect person, there many things I wish I didn’t do”
We should never let the devil use guilt to make us feel too filthy to approach God’s presence with boldness. Yes am not perfect. Yes I do things I shouldn’t do. But Yes God loves me all the same and wants to make me the person he desires me to become.
“But I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you”
After every fall, failure or defeat, ask for forgiveness and move on. I need to stop dwelling on my failings. It’s just a waste of time. I should just get up, dust myself up, ask for forgiveness and move on.
“I've found a reason for me, to change who i used to be a reason to start over new, and the reason is you”
Am happy I found you Heavenly Father. Am happy you picked me up from my decay and are moulding me into the person you want me to be. Continue to protect me from the wiles of the enemy. Guide me to the promise land which you have set for me.
So what is the reason? The reason is God is love. I can be secure in my relationship with Him because unlike human love it is unconditional. Father let me appreciate You for who You are. And anytime I start playing up, please yank me back to you.
Happy Monday peeps.
But I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you
and so i have to say before i go, that i just want you to know
i've found a reason for me, to change who i used to be
a reason to start over new, and the reason is you”
This is the first stanza from the Hoobastank song “The Reason”. I heard this song on Rick Dees a few weeks back. It had been ages since the last time I heard it and this time I interpreted the lyrics in a completely different way.
Am working on my relationship with God again and apart from a few blips here and there, it is slowly getting back on track. The solution was simple. Just spend more time with Him. The more time you spend with Him, the closer you feel to him. Sounds funny cos that is kinda obvious. The answer kept on staring me in the face and I just refused to see it. Yeah and whenever you are going through a spiritual low, whatever you do make sure you go to church. Neva mess with that one. If you aint gonna spend time with God in private, that’s one of the last ways He can reach you. Through his word booming from the pulpit.
“Am not a perfect person, there many things I wish I didn’t do”
We should never let the devil use guilt to make us feel too filthy to approach God’s presence with boldness. Yes am not perfect. Yes I do things I shouldn’t do. But Yes God loves me all the same and wants to make me the person he desires me to become.
“But I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you”
After every fall, failure or defeat, ask for forgiveness and move on. I need to stop dwelling on my failings. It’s just a waste of time. I should just get up, dust myself up, ask for forgiveness and move on.
“I've found a reason for me, to change who i used to be a reason to start over new, and the reason is you”
Am happy I found you Heavenly Father. Am happy you picked me up from my decay and are moulding me into the person you want me to be. Continue to protect me from the wiles of the enemy. Guide me to the promise land which you have set for me.
So what is the reason? The reason is God is love. I can be secure in my relationship with Him because unlike human love it is unconditional. Father let me appreciate You for who You are. And anytime I start playing up, please yank me back to you.
Happy Monday peeps.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
