Monday, April 9, 2018

Pastor's Ponderings, April 9, 2018

Be Desperate For God

Michael Smith, a famous musician, wrote a song called, “Breathe” and some of the lyrics are, “This is the air I breathe…Your holy presence living in me. This is my daily bread…Your very word spoken to me. And I I'm desperate for you and I I'm lost without you.” When one is desperate, they are focused on something that they must have. What are you desperate for? What do you have to do just to exist?  For many of us it may be fame, fortune, riches, status, respect, or honor. 

The Bible would teach us that it is important not to be desperate for something, but desperate for someone and that is Jesus.  We are to seek Him first and everything that we need will be added to us (Matthew 6:31-33).  He says that He will supply all of our needs based on His own resources (Philippians 4:19). King David showed his own sense of urgency about needing God when He wrote that his soul pants and thirsts for God (Psalm 42:1, 2).  Our God knows what we need; even our secret needs that no one knows but Him and us. He simply wants to delight ourselves in Him and enjoy serving Him and He will satisfy those desires (Psalm 37:4).

This is not to try to relegate God to becoming our own celestial Santa Claus. We cannot expect Him to jump to our every idle thought, but He promised that He was able to do more than we can even think (Ephesians 3:20-21).  The world is desperate for ever-increasing amounts of stuff that will pass away, but we can be desperate for the God that is eternal and everlasting that those who love the Lord will have forever. Let us be desperate for Him!

Matthew 6:31-33
Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 
32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 
33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Philippians 4:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 42:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 37:4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

Ephesians 3:20-21
New International Version (NIV)
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.






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