Marching Forth!

Since I've been reading through David Brainerd's diary, the primary thing that struck me is his fervency to enter the presence of the Most High. He was acutely aware of the presence of God. If he did not sense the presence of God he was struck with depression and the hideous nature of sin. He groaned and mourned that he would be far from God. But when God drew near to his heart, it is as if a bright light shone into his heart, warming it with heavenly virtue, love, and grace. The thought occurred to me: how far am I willing to go to cultivate the Holy Spirit's presence in my life? We do not earn the right to enter into the presence of God through prayer, fasting, mourning, or any external action. By the grace of God, those who have been born again have the privilege of entering into the throne room of grace and speaking with God face to face as a man speaks to His friend. We have become the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 18:16 states, " A man's gift ...

I have been praising God for His faithfulness and peace. I was able to meet with Pastor Pat from Shepherd's Staff and believe that I will take steps to pursue a partnership with that group. From the moment we sat down, God directed our conversation. I enjoyed the sweetness of gracious fellowship. Even in Coco's, I felt right at home. Now I'm not much of a "feeling" person. I don't believe that feelings always dictate God's leading. I tend to distrust feelings as a basis for belief. But sometimes we can go too far and disregard feelings entirely. God has given us feelings as well as senses. They both are necessary and important. However, faith operates on a plane that reaches beyond the physical senses. The Word of God provides the foundation for belief and though our feelings or senses may not agree, faith remains the true path. The scriptures say, "The just shall live by faith." How good it is to have a God who directs and guides us ...

Last night I intended to read a book. Laura had started a movie that did not interest me, but as I sat there for the next hour something interesting happened. Though I was very interested in my book I read about three pages (and not too well I'm afraid) and I was drawn to the movie. While I prepared for bed I thought about how the evening went, and repented that I had allowed myself to be robbed of time with God for a movie I didn't care about even after watching it. God showed me something through it all: if I had to be truthful, I would say that night sums up most of my Christian existence. I know I am not alone. Our Christianity is like a good book we pick up intending to immerse ourselves in but the world grabs our attention. We're robbed of scripture truth and spend our lives playing at following Jesus instead of really doing it. Now there's nothing inherently wrong with sitting down to watch a movie. Yet that was not my intention: my intention was to fel...

Thursday morning I have the privilege to meet with Pat Kenney of Shepherd's Staff ( http://shepsstaff.org ) for breakfast. Pat serves with this organization that aids in sending missionaries into foreign fields and provides training, oversight of funds, and performs other administrative tasks. It is by the grace of God that we have been connected through a common friend. My prayer is that God's will be accomplished. If God desires that my family partner with this group I ask that God would make it clear to both Pat and me. I will not consult with an arm of flesh in lieu of obedience, but I also want to avail myself to the wisdom and experience God has gifted others in this arena. Please seek the LORD with me, praying and fasting that God's will be accomplished in Australia and at home. May God receive all the glory for He alone is worthy.

When it comes to matters of morality and righteousness, God will never meet a sinner halfway: His holy standards do not shift or adjust with the moral climate of a society. No matter how the earth may quake, east remains east and west remains west. We serve a Savior who humbled Himself, put on human flesh, and became sin for us. He does not command that we befriend the world to gain followers for Christ. Compromise can be so subtle that it can even threaten to influence the workings of the church. 1 Cor. 7:23 says, " You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men ." How easily we can become slaves to the opinions and desires of others and neglect our heavenly purpose! God has called every believer into His service, and the specific role of each slave is dictated by the Master. Jesus not only reveals the path but the activity; He commands not only the activity but the means to His end. God does not show the end and allow us to devise the way to that end. Je...

During a sermon at camp, youth pastor Jeremy King of CC Vista suggested The Life and Diary of David Brainerd , compiled by Jonathan Edwards. I was able to purchase this book on alibris.com (great for rare or out of print books; for Christian books in print I use christianbook.com ) So far it has been an interesting read of Edwards and Brainerd, two men whose devotion and piety towards God are rarely seen among professing followers of Christ and from whose example I fall woefully short. A couple of quotes resonated in my heart: " I wanted not the favor of man to lean upon; for I knew Christ's favor was infinitely better, and that it was no matter when, nor where, nor how Christ should send me, nor what trials He should still exercise me with, if I might be prepared for His work and will " (pg. 79). On the day of his 24th birthday (David only lived to 29 years of age) he writes, " Oh, how much mercy have I received the year past! How often has God caused His goodn...

There are people who believe in God who do not live according to His ways. I am not even speaking of professing followers of Christ. The demons believe and tremble while many men believe and shrug. Demons believe according to the knowledge of the power and dominion of God, while man's idea of God is no bigger than the distance between his ears. It is the great shame of the church today that many times God is not indispensable to the daily lives of those who call themselves by Christ's name. We all agree that God is necessary for life, but we are content to live for ourselves according to our design. Pastor Rob Salvado of CC Vista claimed that many professing Christian lives could be compared to a Swanson's TV dinner: all parts conveniently separate. We confine all "God" activity with the peas, but we keep His influence from the mashed potatoes, meat, and brownie! He is a seasoning rather than substance. God is an ideal, not a reality. Brothers and sister...