Good Tuesday morning, my friends.
Occasionally I get a note from one of you telling me that a particular message "struck home", or saying "God spoke to me" through the message. Even for those who have not sent me with such a message I suspect that occasionally these missives connect with you or you wouldn't continue to read them. I am sure that much of the preaching you hear in church, or passages you read in your Bible also seem to have a direct bearing on your life. Every time I read the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) I feel convicted by something Jesus says, whether it is about praying or giving, anger=murder or lust=adultery, the Holy Spirit points to something in my life that is keeping me from a deeper relationship with God. It is a wonderful thing to have the God who created the universe communicating with us in this way. But feeling that conviction and actually doing something about it are two completely different things. The first, quite frankly, is useless without the second. Jesus says as much in these very familiar words at the end of His sermon:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)
James restates this in his own blunt way: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them" (James 4:17). It is SIN. Ouch.
The more we hear God's word and feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and do not apply them to our lives, the more danger we put ourselves in. "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48)
We have been given much.
So if you have had that feeling of God speaking directly to you through scripture or sermons or messages like these, and you haven't been heeding those words, you might want to stop reading your Bible, stop going to church, or click on the "Unsubscribe" link below. They are putting you in danger of severe punishment.
I know it's not about being perfect; that's not my point. But if you know right now in your heart the issue God has been trying to deal with in your life, then maybe right now is the time to surrender it. This is the time to ask Him to help you do something about it. I promise if you do, you will experience a deeper relationship with the One who loves you completely.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce
Father, as we thank You for Your eternal Word, we have much to confess.
We have not always treated it as Your Word.
We have not always approached it in humble obedience.
Sometime we have neglected it altogether; at other times we have read it half heartedly with our minds on other things;
worst of all, there have been those times when we have read it thinking that we would, through such reading, gain brownie points in the Book of Life.
Father, we know that Your Word is intended, both directly and indirectly, to get inside our heads,
to deal with our souls and to form a life that is congruent with Your will as You have made it known through Your Son Jesus.
to deal with our souls and to form a life that is congruent with Your will as You have made it known through Your Son Jesus.
O God, forgive us for our failure to internalize Your truth and to let it form and fashion us into a people that are well pleasing unto You.
Help us, O God, to take You seriously when You cry: "Is not my Word like a fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces."
God of love and mercy, give us an appetite for Your Word such as was expressed by the prophet: "When Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight."
Only then will the reading of Your Word produce in us, the purpose for which You have given it to us.
Only then will it enter our souls as food enters our stomachs, spread through our blood and produce in us the Christ-likeness which makes us truly Your people in word and deed.
This is our prayer offered in the name of Jesus.
Help us, O God, to take You seriously when You cry: "Is not my Word like a fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces."
God of love and mercy, give us an appetite for Your Word such as was expressed by the prophet: "When Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight."
Only then will the reading of Your Word produce in us, the purpose for which You have given it to us.
Only then will it enter our souls as food enters our stomachs, spread through our blood and produce in us the Christ-likeness which makes us truly Your people in word and deed.
This is our prayer offered in the name of Jesus.
Amen
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