This is my deep desire – to go all the way, like Matthew West asks in his chorus.
How do we take the step? How do we jump without letting worry getting in our way?
I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if i had given everything
Instead of going through the motions
God – Develop in me a faith and trust so deep that I take the leap. I can’t do it on my own – I need you.
Lord – I want to know what the next steps are. Do I stay where I am at or do I move on to that which I think You are calling me? How do I know that it is You and not me? Will I be able to handle the pressures – the stress? Do you want to use me? God – I don’t question You – I question me. Am I stepping forward in Your desires or my own – or am I doing something worse – not even stepping forward? I want the job I do to glorify You, God, because You deserve it. I want to walk boldly in faith – have God spoken discernment. Lord – would you use the community around me – the people around – Your Living Word – and Your precious Holy Spirit to speak the truth to me – so that I can walk confidently that I am moving in the tide of the ocean that is You? Propel me Lord. Bring me to Action. And in the moment of rest Lord, even still, God – I praise you for keeping me thus far – for the fact that You alone are God – there is none above You – For You are RULER of ALL! Amen
Do I worship God merely because He deserves it?
He does in fact deserve it – He is the only one who ‘deserves’ anything.
He is worthy of my praise, adoration, and sole commitment.
Lord – Teach me to praise you like I should.
This is one of my favorite quotes from Corrie ten Boom. She was so fiercely brave; confident. She was willing to take the next step even when she didn’t know what it was. I believe it is because she wasn’t afraid since she know she would always be accompanied by God. She knew God. She knew his character, that he was faithful, sovereign, a refuge, and always right.
Why is it so hard then to let go to the God who knows everything?
Lord, I want to be like Abraham - willing to let it all go. I want to trust so deeply that I am willing to take the risk. I want to move from fear to FAITH – but it is so hard to get my feet out of this boat where it is dry and safe. And so I ask, Lord, will You lift me up over the side of the boat? Will You hold my hand? Will you show me where to put my foot next? If you lead – I will follow Lord. It is my desire to walk in Your ways and do Your Will. Amen
How can I Praise My God?
I can tell Him how wonderful He is in my prayers.
I can lift my hands and voice to Him.
I can serve others in the name of Jesus without selfish gain.
I can go to bed on time so that I am refreshed each day and reflect His image to others.
I can meditate on Him, write about Him, and make creative expressions for Him.
I can love Him with all my heart and soul and mind.
So what is the cost of it all? The cost of following Jesus?
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. . . .”
It is not easy. It is the cost of comfort. It is the cost of releasing fear. It is the cost of letting go of security. It is the cost of our own desires.
and yet . . .
It pays for a life with Jesus. It is blessing and joy. It is freedom. It is the honor of doing God’s work. It is the pleasure of being in his presence. It is the practice of Faith. It is seeing the impossible be possible. It is assurance of the God who made all things.
It is worth it . . . now Lord, please help me to see past the cost and embrace into the vision you have for my life. Amen
What is God calling you to do next?
How is He asking you to take a risk?
It’s not going to be easy is it?
You feel inadequate – God knows this.
You feel weak – God knows this.
You feel small – God knows this.
He has chosen You to do His work.
He has chosen You to love others.
He has chosen You to speak of His Glory.
He knows it’s hard – He indeed knows.
He will be your adequacy.
He will be your strength
He will be the shadow that covers and guide.
Will you go?
Will you put the next foot in front of the other?
Will you not hesitate?
Will you say Yes?
Isaiah 6: “Look. This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out.”
And then I heard the voice of the Master:
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
I spoke up, ”I’ll go. Send me!”
From today’s message at church. . .
God calls us to repent, He encourages us to repent, He yearns for us to repent, and He celebrates with us when we repent.
Why is it so hard then – to repent?
Thank You God for giving your Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sins. Amen
I have a friend who is striving to recognize Jesus in every moment of his life. He has been reading about others who have been participating in this spiritual practice as well. It seems from his reading and his experience that in being aware of and interacting with Jesus every minute of the day is such a tremendous challenge – that all the other challenges of this world seem small in comparison. The process is also rich and rewarding as he focuses on Jesus he sees the world with fresh eyes.
How often do I think of Jesus?
When do I think of Jesus?
Do I see others’ as Jesus would see them?
Do I see the world around me with fresh eyes?
How often do I not meditate on Jesus?
