Desperate for God

I feel like everything that I read or hear at the moment is talking about being desperate for God.

We need to come to a place of desperation before Him, and acknowledge that we need Him.

Most people only come to that place when a crisis hits, or when God is the only option left, but what a challenge to be the kind of person who is desperate for God to take control, during all of life's experiences, during the highs and the lows.

James 4:6 says
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble"

and Isaiah 30:18 says
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you, He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him."

These two Scriptures are not ones I had considered together before, but I love how they interact.

The LORD longs to be gracious, and he gives grace to the humble, he blesses those who wait on him. Waiting on God requires us to humble ourselves before Him, to sacrifice our time, our plans and our tasks, and to see what He has to say, yet in times of desperation we are more than willing to seek his face... We cry out to our father, and He answers:

Isaiah 30:19 "How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, He will answer you"

Imagine the impact that God would have on our lives, if we dwelled in that place of desperation, regardless of life's circumstances, daily acknowledging that he is Lord, humbling ourselves and waiting on Him, trusting Him to intervene.

The Voice of Truth

Sorry it's been so long since I blogged. Uni Life has started to get exceptionally busy!

Anyway, We have just returned from Aviemore where we spent our Radiate Weekend Away. Joe Z did a great job, we all learned heaps and had awesome times of worship skillfully led by Jo Minty.

But the best bit for me was what God did. It wasn't a spectacular, tingly moment I had, but frequent repetitions of something I needed to hear again.

There is a song by Casting Crowns called 'the Voice of Truth', and God, and His word are that Voice. Whatever situation you are going through, it is important that you know what the truth is; What God thinks about the matter. But more important than that is the choice.

'I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth'

Sometimes God has shown us that we should be comforted, has reassured us that we are chosen by him, and as such should be joyful, and thankful, and yet we still feel down.
But God has done his part. He has shown us his love, It is now our turn to take action.

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Mockery

People, Christians specifically, are often too easily offended by mockery.

But it is not necessarily a bad thing. It shows people are not indifferent: People only mock if they care. Something about you is bothering them. If they mock you as Christians, most likely something about our Christ is bothering them. Isn't it better that people are affected by Christ rather than indifferent to him? In my (although limited) experience, mocking is often the atheists way of asking questions, and we should follow the guidance of 1 Peter 3:15-16

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Philip Yancey - What's so amazing about grace?

" I know that my self image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbours, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers.

Occasionally, all too occasionally, I sense the truth of grace. There are times when I study the parables, and grasp that they are all about me. I am the sheep the shepherd has left the flock to find, the prodigal son for whom the father scans the horizon, the servant whose debt has been forgiven

I am the beloved one of God. "

Pg68

Laughter and Joy

Yesterday evening Andrew Smith came and spoke on laughter and joy - I am simply typing up some of the notes that I took from his message - which was nothing but inspiring.

Psalm 126:3 'The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy'

Laughter embraces humility and grace. In laughter we trust, we suspend our worries and concerns, laughter is the medicine of the soul.

We as Christians can be serious, but shouldn't be sombre, Enjoy the journey, don't just endure it.

Look at Jesus, he knew how to enjoy life - at the start of his ministry he took 7 days off to be at the wedding - people were and still are important to Jesus

Church should be the happiest, most joyful place on earth. Despite circumstances, we can always be joyful, as joy is independent from circumstances - The joy of the Lord is our strength.

My notes are obviously not as explanatory as Andrew's message - but not only did he show us that we ought to be joyful, he demonstrated it too.

Indescribable!!!!

Why do we as Christians ever moan?
God is amazing- He offers us such freedom!!!

We are children of the almighty
We are chosen by him
He chose us before we chose him

This might be for grammar geeks only but we are the 'you' of God's 'I'
eg I love you - We are the objects of God's affection

You who were not a people, are now the people of God

Praise God for his grace and mercy, for his unconditional love which truly is indescribable

Grace

God is teaching me about Grace at the moment.

We all know the song 'Amazing Grace' but so often we just sing, without paying attention to the words, but Grace seriously is Amazing.

Rom 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I am starting to read 'What's so amazing about Grace' By Philip Yancey, and on the back there is a simple truth that arises from Grace.

"There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less."

I am really looking forward to learning more about God through understanding what Grace is.
(and I will keep you posted on what I learn).