There’s so much more!

It’s been far too long since I sat down to write you. You’ve been in my thoughts very much and I’ve prayed for you often.

Well over two years ago I was inspired to encourage you through this blog with the idea that if I could tell you just one thing, what would it be? Well today it’s that there is so much more! More what? Would be a good question but we’ll answer that later. Here are some other questions to consider first: Do you have the feeling that there’s something lacking in your life? Do you feel less “spiritual” than many of those around you? Could God be more “real”, more present to you? Do you get pressure to religiously perform up to others expectations but when you do it’s rarely fulfilling? If you answered yes to any of these questions don’t be discouraged. God is inviting you to put all of that behind you.

Each of us spends far too much of our lives looking for love in all the wrong places. The more that we are looking for, the more that we know is out there for us, is God Himself. He truly is everything we need and He wants us to quit trying to manufacture a relationship with Him or maybe more importantly to quit manufacturing the appearance of a relationship with Him.

Slow down, get quiet, cry out. He loves you so very much. He truly can be everything you need and even more so everything you want. Let Him! Don’t remain in the shackles of whatever keeps you from Him, it’s a position of your own making. He wants to meet you today right where you’re at and pour His peace and freedom all over you.

You are loved; don’t believe the evidence to the contrary.

He’s Here

Don’t put off the incredible relationship Jesus wants to have with you. It truly is everything you could dream it to be and it doesn’t have to start or grow when He comes back. He’s here right now wanting to love you just as you are. Let’s not do the bare minimum to get to Heaven with the idea of knowing Him once there.

Firsthander

I came across this term today and love what it communicates. J. Rufus Moseley used the word firsthander to describe himself since many in his day labeled him a mystic (an effective way to invalidate the intimacy he encouraged others to seek with The Lord). While the strategy may have been successful among much of “orthodoxy”, it doesn’t hinder those that discover you can have a firsthand, one of a kind relationship with your creator. In fact isn’t that exactly what Jesus taught?

Be Like Him

Scripture says that, “when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him like He is.” Who could refuse Jesus if they could see Him as He really is? The misconceptions of Him are easy to turn from and unfortunately those misconceptions often come from us, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can really know Him and the closer we get the more like Him we become and through us the world can see the genuine Jesus.

You Love Me

Lord let the reality of your perfect love for me direct this day. Help me put my insecurities aside by resting in the fact that in You I have all that I need. Help me not look to others for the things I can only get from You and allow me to love out of the wealth of our relationship. The implications of Your love are astonishing, please help me catch a glimpse of them.

Reminder

I hope you were blessed in some way by the excerpts shared here over the last few weeks from the book Love Does. The book spoke to me in a huge way (Thanks Andy). I think the thing that struck me the most was the freedom and lack of fear that Mr. Goff seems to operate in so much of the time. It’s the kind of freedom that only comes through an intimate relationship with God. The kind of connection that each of us can have.  In fact God’s greatest desire is to be the closest most trusting relationship you have.

Telling him off

“When I think about satan, my thoughts go to how Jesus interacted with him in the desert. Jesus spoke with him for just a few seconds and then sent him away. Satan was a manipulator who wanted to control God, but Jesus had a relationship with God that satan didn’t understand, and Jesus had no problem telling him off and getting rid of him. I think we should do the same.

That’s all I have to say about satan. He gets too much airtime already.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Nuff said.

And Further More

“Love Does”, here’s more from this interesting biographical book from Bob Goff:

“I used to think being a believer was enough, but now I know Jesus wants us to participate, no matter what condition we’re in.”

What He wants us to participate in is the relationship we were created for. The most intimate one of a kind loving relationship you could possibly imagine. There is no reason to wait, no need to “get right”.  He wants you right now just the way you are.

Love Does VII

The quote that begins chapter 7:

“I used to think Jesus motivated us with ultimatums, but now I know He pursues us in love.”

Oh how He pursues you. All of creation is a result of His love. He will go to any length to draw you into an intimate relationship with Him. Slow down, let Him love you.

Questions

Our oldest son is a senior in high school this year; he and some of his friends have been asking some great questions lately. No longer are they content to just follow along in mom and dad’s footsteps. It’s time for them ask the tough questions for themselves. God loves our questions, there isn’t one that He’s afraid of and we needn’t be either.  It’s a wonderful thing to see these young people forging their own relationship.