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Christian Perfection

Thursday, December 7th, 2006

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 
 
The other day I read a quote from a book that I was reading that was freeing and a revelation that I always keep in my heart in everything that I do, think, and say.  Here is a quote from the book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, by Oswald Chambers.  “Christian perfection is not, and never can be human perfection.  Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows its self to be true even amid the seemingly unimportant aspects of human life.”  The above scripture testifies to the fact that we cannot please God unless we do everything by faith.  Faith requires us to believe in, trust in Him for every aspect of our lives; which means we must grow closer to Him to be able to trust and believe in Him.  Thus, Christian perfection comes out of faith and desiring to please Him. 
 
To try to achieve perfection by works is like a dog chasing its tail.  It can never be achieved.  We come to Him and we say look at all the good I have done for you; and all He can say is I could have accomplished all of this without you.  My greatest desire is you.  So, even in works, He is trying to bring us in a closer relationship with Him.  Faith requires us to depend on Him and hear Him for every instruction, for every nudge, for every quiet, still voice in hearing Him, even if that instruction is to do nothing.  That way, in doing nothing, which is sometimes harder than doing something, we become closer to Him.  In this we achieve what God wants – a relationship with Him. 
 
Most people would say that all this takes is obedience, and in a way that is true.  It is obedience to His voice.  What Jesus was trying to get the religious world to see was that the perception of obedience needed to be changed.  The religious then, and the religious now, think that if they follow the scriptures to the jot and tittle they will be okay with God.  And yet, He is disappointed.  What He desires is that they obey His voice and do it while referring to and according to His written word.   This makes God –  a living God, and not just a God of instructions.  Everything that God has done, and will do will is to the same purpose; reconciling His people unto Himself.  This is what pleases Him.
 

Expectation

Monday, December 4th, 2006

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he shall have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2 

“My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.”  Psalm 62:5

As ironic as this sounds, yesterday afternoon I experienced a very clear example of what “expectation” is when I was not expecting it!

I had just pulled our car into the carport and was about to enter our side door into the house when I decided to peek over the fence, as I sometimes do, and check on our two dogs in the yard. They could not see me yet but I saw them – sitting there with rapt attention, their eyes fixed in the direction from where they heard the car pull up, watching and waiting expectantly to see me. When they finally did see me their posture softened, their ears laid back and, of course, tails started wagging. Though I had not intended to, I decided to go ahead and let them come in the house for a while and enjoy their company.

Anyone who has known me for very long knows what a HUGE animal lover I am, and more specifically – dog lover, so it didn’t really surprise me that the Lord would use an example that included canines to show me something! Dogs seem to be able to exemplify earnest expectation toward their “masters” in expert fashion. It just spoke to my heart that the Lord and Master of my life would desire for me to have that same expectation and anticipation of being in His presence. Longing and yearning for Him, my gaze fixed in His direction. And His heart responds and is moved accordingly by lovingly drawing me unto Himself.

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 23rd, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is something that is being said many times today as we greet one another to eat a spectacular meal that someone has slaved to provide. Though I will participate in this annual ritual, (and I might add, participate in excess) I don’t want to lose the true attitude and heart that My Father wants me to pursue.

Tuesday afternoon I went to prayer time at the church. As I sat there and prayed and also observed these mighty women of prayer and intercession pray with passion, zeal and fervor because they truly believe praying makes a difference in the lives of people and their city, God put a word in my heart. Passion begats passion! The more we pursue Him and taste of His goodness, the more we want of His goodness, His love, His Presence! It becomes an insatiable thirst or hunger for Him, because His love and goodness are without limits. Oh my, how He wants to lavish us with who He is!

I believe that giving thanks can be be a good starting point in obtaining a passion for Him. Start today giving thanks to God for your blessings. Then tomorrow give thanks for Him. Then the next day do it again, and then again and again. You will begin to start sensing some thing different – tasting of His goodness. Before you know it you may be pursuing Him with reckless abandon. Not being able to be satisfied with anything or anyone else other than your Lord and King.

Happy Thanksgiving to God!