A SETTLED PLACE

The problem is not that people don't want God; it's that they want God and something else. For instance, they often want the following:

• God and the perfect marriage
• God and an impressive career
• God and the dream house
• God and a fancy wardrobe
• God and the dream vacation
• God and want -- want -- want.

What will it take for us to come to that settled place where the central passion of our lives is God -- a place where our prayers sound like this:

"God, I just want you. I want your presence, your friendship, and your fullness. That's enough for me."

When you pray that prayer and mean it, you'll know the joy of abiding in Christ and He in you. That's all you need.

God has ways of bringing people to the settled place, but He doesn't drag them.

1 Timothy 6:6,7 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

THIS NEW COVENANT

The old covenant (The Ten Commandments) was made to break. It's purpose was not to make us look like saints, but to expose us as sinners. Only God can fulfill the complete Law.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The promise of the new covenant is all about grace, fulfilled in Jesus Christ as He gave His life for us. It is not written on tables of stone or parchment somewhere. It is written by the pen of the Holy Spirit on the fleshly tables of the heart.

When we believe from our hearts in Jesus Christ, there is a transformation that takes place.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

The new heart gives us a desire to know and serve The Lord, to hate sin and the sinful way, and to pursue righteousness.

How about your heart? Is it right with God?

ABOUT MY LORD

Psalm 104:24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

SOME THINGS ABOUT MY LORD:

• He made us
• He forgives all our iniquities and heals our diseases
• He is gracious and slow to anger
• He lays the beams of His chambers in the waters and makes the clouds his chariot
• He walks on the wings of the wind
• He feeds the fouls, animals, and fish
• He sends rain that man may bring forth food out of the earth
• He made trees where birds make their nests and sing in the branches
• The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats
• He appointed the moon for seasons, and the sun knows when to go down
• He transforms lives because He loves us

"THAT'S HIM" (Listen to all of this beautiful song -- sung by the Hoppers -- on UTube)

Angry waves splashing everywhere

He's asleep in the boat, does He even care?

We're all so afraid, He just keeps lying there

That's Him

Then He raised His hands above His head

Said, "Peace, be still," and the water fled

A wave tapped the wind on the shoulder and said,

"Shh, that's Him."

 Bill Burns      

THE PERFECT HEART

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of The Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Me.

Some might say, "I'm not perfect so He won't see me." None of us are perfect. David had a lot of gunk in his life, but God loved him and answered his prayers because his heart was perfect toward God. In all of his perils and conflicts, he wrote this:

Psalm 188:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength, in whom I will trust: my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

If we see God as David saw Him, we will have the perfect heart towards God. He will be our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, and our strength.

Sometimes we forget the glory of His majestic presence and power. We forget that the Almighty God of the universe loves his children dearly and wants to bless them and give them victory. 

The perfect heart is faith in God through all obstacles.

THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING

Many children are rejoicing as the school year draws to an end. Seeing VBS (Vacation Bible School) ads on church signs remind me of scriptures I memorized as a child. In my day VBS lasted two weeks. Those verses carried me throughout the years. 

I love God's Word. We shoud treat it with care because it is inspired and because it is the revelation of God to mankind.

Whether people believe it or not, the Bible is true. As a tire gauge addresses adequate air in tires, the Bible addresses adaquate spirituality. It addresses every problem you will ever have. It will lead you to Jesus who gives eternal life.

God's Word will comfort you in the dark days. It will lift you out of the mire and set you in heavenly places. In today's world, we need God's Word more than ever. It has all the answers.

Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

A WORLD VIEW

A world view is like interpreting the world through binoculars or a telescope. A Biblical world view is seeing our world through the eyes of God's Word, assisted by the Holy Spirit. God's Word and Spirit helps us discern between good and bad, right and wrong or holy and unholy.

Salvation gives us new sight, showing us the present world for what it really is. The Christian mind sees and thinks from an eternal perspective. When a believer shares these things with unbelievers, they may think they're crazy.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man (unsaved) receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

No matter what happens in our world or in our individual lives, we can experience peace and stability in a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?

BLESSINGS THAT TACKLE

Dueteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee if thou shalt harken unto the voice of The Lord thy God.

Wow! If you meet God's conditions -- love Him and serve Him by choice -- then His blessings are a sure thing. They will run you down and tackle you.

But, just because you live for The Lord and keep His commandments, it doesn't mean that the perfect job, a fat bank account, new car, new house, and a care free life are going to chase you down and tackle you.

God has promised to provide for our physical needs, but our blessings are much greater than these.

If you are saved, you are a child of God, and as such, an heir of God. What a blessing!

Christ paid our sin debt on the cross. All sins of believers (past, present, and future) have been forgiven. What a blessing!

We have been preserved by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). Nothing can seperate us from the love of God. What a blessing!

Are you in God's place of blessing? If our lives are to be truly blessed, we must go with God, live for Him, long for Him, and learn of Him.

Count your many blessings name them one by one.