How far will you go?

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 makes room for him, and brings him before great men." When we give our lives to God, we receive of His eternal gift of salvation. In the words of the "Joy to the World," all people are exhorted: "Let every heart prepare Him room."

What is the presence of God worth to you? If you had to put a monetary value on it, would it be $5? $500? What would you pay for access to the ear of Jesus Christ? Our mouths speak words easily, but what does your life say? People pay thousands of dollars for a couple hours in a sports stadium! What would you be willing to give God for just a second in presence of your Creator and Savior? If it required not eating or drinking for a day would you do it? If it meant throwing your cell phone away? What if it meant giving up your most valued hobby? What kind of things hinder us from entering in to that blessed presence of God? Living in God's presence is worth more than the lives we choose for ourselves.

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Let us cleanse our hands and hearts in the flow of Christ's blood. Before this can happen, we must set down the idols we carry. If we attempt to wash idols into this divine flow we pollute and blaspheme His sacrifice. There is hope for those who draw near in humility and faith, giving themselves to God. Oh the preciousness of the presence of God! May nothing stop us from entering into His presence with singing and into His courts with praise!

Shepherd's Staff

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 along this path of faith! If all I had to guide me were my feelings and senses, I would be absolutely lost! Walking by sight is a curse rather than a blessing. Walking by sight and consequent unbelief denied the children of Israel their inheritance in Canaan. They saw the giants in the land and saw themselves as puny as grasshoppers. Had they looked with eyes of faith to God Almighty, they would have seen the giants in the land as grasshoppers!

When we see God in truth as the Almighty Creator of All, and praise Him as the conquering, triumphant KING, all else fades in comparison. We see ourselves in truth as pitiful, weak, and helpless. Following Jesus is too much for us. But to God be the glory, who is the Lifter of our heads and the Giver of peace. Philip. 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Our feelings can fail us and our senses can deceive us, but the Word of God will endure forever! No one goes to heaven because they "feel" like it, and the eyes of man cannot see nor hear Death coming for him. We will enter into heaven on the merits of Christ alone, a finished work received through repentance and faith in Him. That feels pretty good to me.

Focus Divided

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 fellowship with God and I missed out. I was not actually robbed of my time with God - sadly, I gave it up. I can't blame the T.V. for my divided focus.

Thanks to the gracious God we serve, there is a lesson from this for me and you. Don't play at your relationship with God. In the "texting" age in which we live, nothing is more frustrating than attempting to have a conversation with someone who is constantly looking down at their phone and sending text after text. Let's not be this way with God. Let us place ourselves in a position to give Him our full, undivided attention. The devil likes nothing more than to hinder us from walking in the awesome power of our Savior. He loves it when we open the Bible without focus or diligence. I have resolved not to rob myself of time with God again. Will you?

Thursday meeting...

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.