I have been reading through Romans for the last few weeks using the Message version. The Words found in Chapter 8 have really spoken to me. "The resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, 'What's next, Papa?' God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children...If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with Him!...The created world can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready...Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within...He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God...So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?"
As I consider the question prompt today: What have you learned about God and yourself these last few days?, I guess I can say with gusto that I am truly learning who God is and who I am in Him...and that childlike revelation is enough to change my world, my perspective, and in so doing, change the very basis of what I do in this world.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me afresh and anew these basics...for being my patient and loving Papa. May I exhibit to others the same kind of patience and love You have exhibited to me.
The more time I spend with God, the more I want to spend time with him. The past few weeks I have learned that I definitely need to restructure my time to allow more time with him. I need to slow down a bit. We live in a fast paced world. We want everything fast. Want it now. It is no surprise that most of us want drive through, throw in a prayer or two, read a few scriptures, and sing a few praise songs, service from God. Sad isn't it. We want the best God has for us with no strings attached. Yet we are only willing to give Him our leftover time, sometimes not even that. Because at the end of the day we are all used up and have nothing left. We promise God that we will do better tomorrow. Then BAM....life gets in the way again. The discipline needed for this prayer journal is exhausting. How many have fallen behind and given up. I pray for strength to continue and not give up. I pray that at the end it will be natural to give God 10% of my day. That it will happen without effort and planning. That it becomes who I am and changes me to be a better child of God. We are all His children. Some obey, others do not. Some try to pull the wool over God's eyes. But I know God sees and hears all. Even my thoughts. Forgive me Father for making excuses. Help me to be more obediant to your instruction. You alone know what I need. I love you. It is your voice I long for.
Here's the thing - even as a pastor - You'd think that spending 30 minutes or 45 minutes a day with him would be sufficient. It would sustain you. You'd think that was a good amount, one you would gain from and feel satisfied giving. You'd think it was enough.
Spending 2 hours and 24 minutes every day, words can't express how insufficient 30 minutes felt in comparison. 40 minutes is enough. But 2 hours 24 minutes, so much better.
I've been caught up in doing what I think God will be pleased with. I been doing enough. I have to do more. I have to give more. I never want to be accused or praised for doing enough. I don't want to be accepted because I did enough. I want to do more.
How have I survived on less than a few hours or even less than an hour a week up to this point? I really don't know. Some days even two and half hours doesn't seem a enough. Only 30 minutes of prayer? Just that by itself doesn't seem enough.
The more I allow myself to be in his presence the more I want to be in his presence. Very cool feeling especially when the "want to" has not been there in the past.
And God has not wasted the time I've spent with Him. He is pointing out things and thoughts in my life that he wants to change...that he wants to do something with. He quickens my heart more rapidly. He stirs my compassions more easily.
And yet...each day...it's a new day to be disciplined. A new day to fight the desire to spend that time doing something else.
I don't think it's a mistake that I've somehow found time to keep my house cleaner, my to do list more current, and my mind more clear in the last 18 days than the previous few months. God is faithful.
5 comments:
I have been reading through Romans for the last few weeks using the Message version. The Words found in Chapter 8 have really spoken to me. "The resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, 'What's next, Papa?' God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children...If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with Him!...The created world can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready...Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within...He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God...So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?"
As I consider the question prompt today: What have you learned about God and yourself these last few days?, I guess I can say with gusto that I am truly learning who God is and who I am in Him...and that childlike revelation is enough to change my world, my perspective, and in so doing, change the very basis of what I do in this world.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me afresh and anew these basics...for being my patient and loving Papa. May I exhibit to others the same kind of patience and love You have exhibited to me.
The more time I spend with God, the more I want to spend time with him. The past few weeks I have learned that I definitely need to restructure my time to allow more time with him. I need to slow down a bit. We live in a fast paced world. We want everything fast. Want it now. It is no surprise that most of us want drive through, throw in a prayer or two, read a few scriptures, and sing a few praise songs, service from God. Sad isn't it. We want the best God has for us with no strings attached. Yet we are only willing to give Him our leftover time, sometimes not even that. Because at the end of the day we are all used up and have nothing left. We promise God that we will do better tomorrow. Then BAM....life gets in the way again. The discipline needed for this prayer journal is exhausting. How many have fallen behind and given up. I pray for strength to continue and not give up. I pray that at the end it will be natural to give God 10% of my day. That it will happen without effort and planning. That it becomes who I am and changes me to be a better child of God. We are all His children. Some obey, others do not. Some try to pull the wool over God's eyes. But I know God sees and hears all. Even my thoughts. Forgive me Father for making excuses. Help me to be more obediant to your instruction. You alone know what I need. I love you. It is your voice I long for.
Powerful words y'all
Here's the thing - even as a pastor - You'd think that spending 30 minutes or 45 minutes a day with him would be sufficient. It would sustain you. You'd think that was a good amount, one you would gain from and feel satisfied giving. You'd think it was enough.
Spending 2 hours and 24 minutes every day, words can't express how insufficient 30 minutes felt in comparison. 40 minutes is enough. But 2 hours 24 minutes, so much better.
I've been caught up in doing what I think God will be pleased with. I been doing enough. I have to do more. I have to give more. I never want to be accused or praised for doing enough. I don't want to be accepted because I did enough. I want to do more.
How have I survived on less than a few hours or even less than an hour a week up to this point? I really don't know. Some days even two and half hours doesn't seem a enough. Only 30 minutes of prayer? Just that by itself doesn't seem enough.
The more I allow myself to be in his presence the more I want to be in his presence. Very cool feeling especially when the "want to" has not been there in the past.
And God has not wasted the time I've spent with Him. He is pointing out things and thoughts in my life that he wants to change...that he wants to do something with. He quickens my heart more rapidly. He stirs my compassions more easily.
And yet...each day...it's a new day to be disciplined. A new day to fight the desire to spend that time doing something else.
I don't think it's a mistake that I've somehow found time to keep my house cleaner, my to do list more current, and my mind more clear in the last 18 days than the previous few months. God is faithful.
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