I'M MOVING!

I am moving my blog to wordpress. (Ok, I'm not actually moving anything. I'm just going to stop writing here and start writing there.)

So, go to www.suchamayzinglove.wordpress.com and read today's post! See ya there!

Sunday Means Sermons!

I actually promised this sermon to you a while ago, when I was writing about 1 Corinthians. The Scripture that it focuses on comes from that book- 1 Corinthians 1:27,
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

I've been thinking about this idea for a few days, weeks, months... I'm not really sure how long. It is such an incredible thing. God uses foolish, weak things. God uses foolish, weak things. Isn't that so true?

I've been reading a wonderful book written by my blogging sister Katie D. If you haven't read her blog or her new book (Kisses from Katie), then you're missing out. One part that I recently read has helped me understand this idea of God using the things that seem foolish and weak. Katie points out that all throughout Scripture, God called men to do things that seemed idiotic. Think about it:
-Abraham sacrificed the son that was supposed to be the father of all nations, including the Savior.
-Noah built an ark when no one knew what rain was.
-David, an insignificant little boy, ran to fight Goliath.
-Daniel actually defied a king who had the power to kill him.
-Mary carried a baby that pretty much only she knew wasn't illegitimate, but was the Savior.
-Paul actually asked the Romans to send him to Caesar, as a prisoner, when he could have just stayed behind and been released.
-Joshua told the Israelites to defeat Jericho by walking around it and then yelling really loudly.
-Ruth determined to move away from everything that was safe, away from her family and home, and into an unknown life.
-Mary of Bethany poured out her whole life's savings onto the feet of Jesus.

I can just hear the whole world groaning at these folks, saying, "Come on, guys! Really? That doesn't even make sense." I can hear the sweet old ladies and the loving parents and the loyal best friends all saying the same thing. But isn't it great to know that God uses the foolish things?
He uses weak things, in order to show Himself strong. He is a pretty bold God. He doesn't need my strength. He doesn't even want my strength. Instead, He uses my weakness.

I can only imagine what Jackie Pullinger's parents thought when she told them that God had ordered her not to go to college. What do you think her pastor advised her when she, at age 20, said she needed to get on a ship that was sailing around the world, and that she was supposed to wait for God to tell her when to get off? Imagine what her best friends advised. Hmmm. I don't know those details. Perhaps they encouraged her, perhaps they tried to stop her. I'm not sure. I do know that she obeyed the Lord, did something "foolish," and ended up living a difficult, completely unusual, and unbelievably joy-filled life.

You can read Ms. Pullinger's story in her book called Chasing the Dragon, and you can listen to her testimony at www.sermonindex.net. She has spent her adult life in Hong Kong, working with the destitute, the hopeless, the drug-addicted, the criminal, and the outcast people there. Does that sound like anyone else's life? How about Jesus? Didn't Jesus make Himself weak on our behalf? Hasn't He called us to be like Himself?

Here is the link to a great sermon, by a sweet, strong sister, Jackie Pullinger. Enjoy!

God Uses Foolish Things

“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

This morning, the first nine chapters of 1 Corinthians have been sharper than a sword. In these nine chapters, I have been doused with cold water. It is a wake-up call. What am I doing here? Why am I on Earth? Why am I in this house, in this city, in this job, in this church? To preach the gospel.

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath God not made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence."

Why have I been entrusted with the mysteries of God? For some reason, it pleased God to save me. Because of this, I am made a steward of the most precious thing in the universe- the gospel of Christ. I must be found faithful!

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Oh, I am so convicted of my laziness, of my playing around, of my excuses.

I have been so unwilling to be seen as foolish. There has been so much filthy pride in me. Yes, I can talk about the gospel in church until my face is absolutely flushed with passion and excitement. I can type freely here on my little blog, knowing that it's a fairly safe place. And I can even claim to know Christ in public, to people whom I don't know as well. But to proclaim the gospel, to speak of the truth with such boldness that I care not how I appear to them? Well, that's not something I've been doing. I want people to think I'm wise. I want them to be proud to know me. I want to gain their approval and their friendship and their trust. And all the time, they are headed straight to death.

Oh, the wisdom of the world is foolishness! When will I see that? When will I live in that truth?

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And then again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours."

Paul did not care how he appeared to the world. He didn't care if he was rejected or despised. He only cared about this one thing- to please the Father!

'But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you…"

When I hear him pleading with the Corinthians to break out of their ease and comfort and to follow in his footsteps of suffering, I know he is pleading with me.

"Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we might also reign with you."

"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat; we are made as filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."

Those apostles did not give up. They didn't just talk to a person about Christ once and then let it when they didn't receive the message. They were relentless about saving the dying. They saw things as they really were.

I can't talk about these things without mentioning the power of the God who has commissioned me and who goes before me. He has promised that through the foolishness of my preaching, some shall be saved. So why do I give up on the preaching when that promised hasn't been fulfilled?! He has also promised to give me incredible power- the power of Himself in me.

"And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power."

I'm ready to change. I'm scared that I can't do it. But of course I can't! Greater is He that is in me. I go to work in two hours. Oh, please, may I be a minister of the gospel, the glorious gospel!

Also, I read this wonderful message this morning. I found it on NRJ's blog; it's by Catherine Booth. If you are feeling the ache from complacency like I am, read it and let a little fire into your soul: Aggressive Christianity.

Sunday Means Sermons!

Have you ever had one of those days when you are just so ready for Jesus to come back? Or for you to go be with Him? Today is one of those days when I really know what Paul meant when he said "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." To die is gain. That's a huge understatement.

Ok, that was just a sort of by-the-way comment. Here's what I'm really writing about- a sermon! Aren't you excited? (Probably not as excited as I am. Did you listen to any of the other ones? Hmmm. You better get on that.)

Last night, I met a new friend, and I had the opportunity to tell her about the wonderful story of an amazing couple. I had never heard of them until about a year ago, but their story has greatly impacted me.

Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor in Romania when the Communists overtook the country after World War II. The new government made life very difficult for this pastor and his wife, Sabina, and their young son. One day, Richard and Sabina were at a large meeting called for all clergymen, and during the meeting, the Communist officials forced each man to stand on stage one by one to verbally deny the existence of God and declare their loyalties to the government. As pastor after pastor publically denied the Lord, Richard and Sabina sat waiting for him to be called. Sabina turned to Richard and asked him, "Will you wipe the spit off the Lord Jesus' face?" Richard replied that if he refused to give in, then he would be imprisoned or killed. Sabina's reply to her husband? Gently, but firmly, she told him, "I would rather be married to a dead man than to a coward."

With that kind of support from his wife, Richard stood up and gave a great and powerful testimony of His God. He and Sabina were both imprisoned, leaving their 5-year-old son on his own. Richard then endured fourteen years of solitary confinement. Fourteen years. And that was not his only prison term.

What I've told are only the highlights from the beginning of their story. I read about it in Sabina Wurmbrand's book The Pastor's Wife. I would love to read Richard's book called Tortured for Christ, which, as I understand, is a collection of sermons he wrote in his head while in prison. Theirs is an absolutely incredible story of a family that was entirely committed to Christ, of people who knew that nothing in this world is worth more than the glory and the pleasure of our holy God. They lived that, and they have been richly rewarded by our King.

So, here is today's sermon, in which Richard Wurmbrand tells the story what happened between him and his Lord while he was in solitary confinement. It's a short one, compared to most that I listen to, but it stands alone as a treasure.

The Beauty of Nothing, by Richard Wurmbrand.

I've been reading in Hebrews this week, and one phrase in chapter 11 sticks out strongly. In my Bible, this phrase is actually in parentheses, as if it was just an afterthought, but to me, it is breath-taking. Here are the verses leading up to it, Hebrews 11:35-38, speaking of the heroes of the faith:

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they may obtain a better resurrection:

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).

Of whom THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY.

Oh, the world was surely not worthy of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. How about me? You?

Love to you all.

No Longer "Pink"

"Of Pink Ribbons and a Bloody Cross."

http://www.ellerslie.com/Eric_Ludy_Sermons/Entries/2010/10/10_Of_Pink_Ribbons_%26_a_Bloody_Cross.html

This is a sermon preached by Eric Ludy last October, about a year ago. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month- and who would ever let us forget it?

I listened to this sermon with my heart pounding. I was shocked.

This sermon is not for the faint-of-heart.

It's also not for the Christian who wants to find a way to justify himself.

It is a sermon that shines a bright, piercing, blinding light of REALITY on a major issue in our Christian culture today. I can almost guarantee that if you haven't heard this sermon yet, you are probably caught up on the anti-Christian side of this battle without even realizing it. I know I was. (Paris Reidhead's "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" also addresses this same issue.) That's a bold statement for me to make, and I may be treading on thin ice here. It was just as "offensive" when I heard it. However, everything goes back to Scripture- is IT your guiding light, the end-all be-all, the final word on every issue in life? If you are a Christian, then the answer should be yes. And I cannot argue that Scripture does not support what is preached in this sermon. It does. And praise the Lord that it does, for it frees us from all our vain efforts and self-strivings. We lean upon HIM. HE is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Shelter. He is the Lord; there is none other who is able to save. AMEN!

Finally, before you listen, ask yourself this question: Are you a humanitarian? At least, do you try to be a good humanitarian? Most would answer, yes, of course!

Well, consider this definition from www.dictionary.com:
Humanitarianism:
1) the doctrine that humanity's obligations are concerned wholly with the welfare of the human race,
2) the doctrine that humankind may become perfect without divine aid.

I, friends, am most definitely NOT a humanitarian.

Please, listen to this sermon.

Sunday Means Sermons!

So, before I get started here, I think I ought to mention that my computer is making a fairly disturbing noise right now, as if it might blast off or blow up or something equally horrendous at any moment. Yep.

Carrying on...

I've been restraining myself all week from bombarding you with sermons, in the hopes that you might actually listen to the one I already introduced you to. I don't want to overwhelm you. But now it's Sunday again, and it's time!

Since probably many of you have already heard A Friday Night in the Promised Land, I've chosen one this week that you may not have heard yet. Well, that's not at all the primary reason why I've chosen it, but maybe it's a bonus. There are several sermons that I've been considering for this week, but I just keep coming back to this one. This is one that I should probably listen to at least once a week for the rest of my life. It deals with a truth that is so very obvious and basic that it's easy to sort of dismiss it sometimes. Well, this is true for me, although certainly many Christians have the opposite problem- they tend to sit right here on the fact of this title and never move any further.
As for me, I like the challenging sermons, the ones that cut me, that push me, that are perhaps shocking to my sense of comfort. I like sermons about martyrdom, white-knuckle faith, and counter-culture Christianity. I want sermons that make me squirm a little and dig deeper into discovering the radically holy nature of God. This is what leads to freedom. It's a breath of fresh air to realize both who God really is (which is NOT like us) and what He calls us to do (deny ourselves and live solely for Him). So, when I first saw this sermon, it was sort of strange that I was drawn to it. It seems too mushy for me. However, I was drawn to it, and I gave it a listen. I was not disappointed!

Ok, I hope you are curious now. : )

This sermon was preached by one of my new favorite preachers, Paul Washer. If you do a search of his top sermons, you'll see titles like "Shocking Youth," "Examine Yourself: A Sermon That Has Angered Many," "10 Indictments Against the Modern Church," and other such titles. (Does that make you excited? It makes me actually kind of giddy. I crave bold TRUTH.) Paul Washer is definitely NOT out to tear anyone down. He's not aiming to hurt. His manner is actually fairly gentle, but he does not compromise on the truth of Scripture. Why? Because, as I said last week, Christ says you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free! There is no other way to actual freedom except through the bold truth of the Word of God.

So, when I listen to Paul Washer, I hear a gentleness in his voice when he addresses the church of Jesus Christ, the true bride of the Holy Bridegroom. I hear a tenderness and patience towards sinners. However, I also hear a fierce growl against sin and against compromise- against wolves in sheep's clothing. Perhaps that is why some of his sermons have "shocked" or "angered many."

I've listened to many of his sermons, but this one stands a bit apart from the rest. It is preached solely to true Christians, to those who desire to please God above all else. It is encouraging and energizing, comforting and filling. But it is also convicting. It seems like only a man like Paul Washer could preach a sermon with this title and still manage to leave me challenged and unsatisfied with the level of how well I know Christ. So, as you listen, may you be refreshed and encouraged and also pressed on to know Him more.

Give it a listen, and then let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from you.

Here it is:

Paul Washer- You Are Dearly Loved By God
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=62706235611

Happy listening, and happy Sunday!

Sunday Means SERMONS!

Oh, what a beautiful day! Sundays are very nice indeed- especially sunny, bright-blue-sky, crisp and clear ones!

Sundays in my life bring sermons- usually several of them. I absolutely LOVE listening to good sermons. I hope you do, too. I have learned so much from some truly Godly people through their sermons. Soooo…

I'd like to share some of my favorite sermons with you!

I'm not sure exactly how I'll do this, because I have several on my list of favorites. I thought of featuring one a week on Sundays, but that's too slow for me! Maybe I'll do one with every post! Haha. I'll just start with today, and we'll see.

So, the first life-changing sermon I want to share with you is by my very favorite preacher- Eric Ludy. Now, I know that there have been many amazing Christian men throughout history who have preached many amazing sermons. There are many who are much more well-known than Eric, who have lived longer than Eric, who have been more places and had more education and done more things than Eric. I love them too! However, this man's preaching has a special place in my own life. I have listened to more of his sermons than anybody else's, probably. And, one of the best things about Eric is that I know him personally. I know his wife and his kids, I know his church, I've talked with him, been to his home - I've seen how he lives his life, and it is by faith in Christ. I know that what he preaches is what he lives. And I believe him when he claims to be the happiest man alive on Earth today! : )

Now, Eric is an incredibly happy man, and an incredibly Christ-like, honorable, peaceful man. However (or, rather, because of that), his preaching packs some punches. He's not afraid to poke around at the hard places. He's not afraid to speak the truth boldly. So, don't expect fluffy or politically-correct or feel-good messages from him. This is truth, and it is undiluted. And Christ said we shall know the truth and it shall set us free. So before you listen, I'd advise you to make a few decisions:

1. Decide to listen with Bible-minded ears. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT note. Not open-minded ears, or close-minded, or narrow-minded, but Bible-minded. Test what he says against Scripture. Decide right now that the Word of God is the ultimate authority for man. Whatever it says is what goes. Not the word of man. Man doesn't get to judge the Word of God. If you don't first understand and submit to this, then this preaching will just be offensive, foolish, and/or confusing to you.
   
2. Decide to apply the preaching to your own life. Don't just try to make it apply to your friend's life, or your mother's life, or your neighbor's life. First of all, let it apply to YOU. This kind of preaching brings so much conviction to my own soul, and that conviction is the beginning of freedom and wonderful, indescribable joy. At first, I feel it cut like a knife- but then, I realize that it is cutting away at all the JUNK in my life that gets between me and my Lord. Then I begin to pray, "More, Lord. More conviction for me, please! I need to grow. I need to see You. I need to do whatever it takes to know You more!"
   
3. Decide to keep listening. You may be tempted to only listen to part of the message. However, I guarantee that you will miss something wonderful (or be sincerely confused) if you don't continue on. Some of these sermons are much longer than what most of us are used to, but the more you listen to them, the more you will crave for them to be even longer! I promise. So, download 'em, plug in your headphones, and go for a long walk. Or clean the kitchen. Or take a drive. Or listen to one instead of your usual movie. I really don't think you'll be disappointed.
   

So, without further ado…here's the first sermon!

A FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE PROMISED LAND

Download it here (where you can also read a description):

Eric Ludy Sunday Sermon - A Friday Night in the Promised Land

I first listened to this sermon last November, while I was on my way from Birmingham to Atlanta. When I finished it, I remember feeling several things- including intimidated, deeply convicted, terribly excited, and hauntingly peaceful. I listened to it again when Eric preached it live to our class at Ellerslie last spring, and I just played it over again last Thursday night while I closed up the café. There is no doubt about it- this is a life-changing message. If you aren't led to make some sort of change in your life after listening to it, then you're either hardening yourself to this message, or you're already further along the road of Christ-likeness than almost anyone I've ever met. Each time I've heard it, my precious Lord has pressed me closer to Himself, taught me something even sweeter, and led me down the narrow way even further. Now, how could you resist that? Give it a listen. (Just don't forget to make those decisions I told you to make beforehand!)

Happy listening!

(Oh man, I can hardly wait to post another one! These are SO good. Just a taste of who to look forward to in the future… Paris Reidhead, Jackie Pullinger, Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, David Wilkerson, Carter Conlon, Leonard Ravenhill, Richard Wurmbrand…woo-hoo!)

"Do please, dear friends, ask that we may exchange the eagerness of the flesh for the earnestness of the Spirit."

Oh, would that the Lord would harness me. I am filled to bursting with zeal and passion, and it is a dangerous thing. It is so painful to look around and see such idolatry, such hideous hypocrisy, such sadness and hopelessness! It is painful to see people enslaved and unaware. It is painful to see so clearly, to see the brightness of His light contrasted with the depths of the darkness surrounding it. I'm not sure why it is so hard for me to face it with a patient calm and steadfast confidence, but I see clearly that those things are definitely not in my nature. I am thanking my Father for the example of my older sister Amy Carmichael. She walked this path long before me, and she understood:

"It makes you feel as if you couldn't sit still. You must do something, try to do something, anything! ...Oh, to get into that stronger, calmer current, out of the feverishness of human haste. Do please, dear friends, ask that we may exchange the eagerness of the flesh for the earnestness of the Spirit and so move in the force of that Holy Wind that we shall be carried along by His great calm."

Oh, Amy. That is my prayer! Oh, Father, that is my prayer! It is my confession.

I love this story from A Chance to Die:

"One evening when the full responsibility of the compound rested on Amy, she had what amounted to a vision. The tamarind trees around the bungalow were olive trees, and under them a man knelt alone. She knew it was the Lord, praying there in the garden for the children. So the burden was His, not hers. She need not ask Him to share it with her. He was asking her to share it with Him, to search with Him for the lost lambs. 'Who could have done anything but go into the garden and kneel down beside Him under the olive trees?'" (p. 181)

When I read this earlier this afternoon, I didn't realize what a big impression it would make on me tonight. This is not my burden. It belongs to the Lord.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves- if God, peradventure, might grant them repentance unto the acknowledging of the truth."
Paul reminds Timothy who is really responsible for the work. What a tremendous burden lifted, what weight turned to what cheerful service!
This verse is hidden in my heart- now may its truth change me! "And the servant of the Lord must not strive...."

What a tender Shepherd. What a gentle, meek Savior. Oh for the day when that tenderness and meekness will be evident in me!

Concerning the television.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

I was thinking about these verses this morning, and it reminded me of a conversation I had last week, in which one of my friends asked me whether or not I think it is a sin to watch television. I found that to be an interesting question. As I've thought about it in the days since then, I've realized that it represents an entire category of questions that I haven't really articulated in my own thoughts yet.

My friend simply asked me about television, and she even named a couple of favorite shows. My first response was to ask her if the TV is an idol in her life. She replied in the negative, saying that she could definitely live without it. The conversation sort of drifted in other directions at this point, but I've still been thinking about this all week. What do I think? I myself do not choose to watch TV on a regular basis. Why not? I've never actually thought too much about the specifics of the reasons. I used to love television! I never had too much spare time, but when I did, I loved to catch up on all the favorite shows. Now, however, the remote control repels me. Hmmm. I'll try to list a few reasons:
1. Time. I simply (and so gratefully!) have better things to do with mine.
2. Commercials. It makes me sick to see and hear so many endless sales pitches for the many things that Americans do not need. I can no longer ignore the greed, selfishness, and lust that is so evident through these advertisements.
3. Lies. I hear so many of them every time I turn on the TV! There are lies about self-worth and beauty, lies about humanism (everyone pulling together in order to make the world a better place), lies about what will make you satisfied and content, lies that try to convince us that sin is right and good and fun. They are everywhere.
4. Rest. So many people turn to the TV in order to find their rest- time to chill out, time to veg out, time to re-charge, time for "me." However, I've realized that I don't really feel any better about life after spending time in front of the TV. Sure, I may feel entertained for a while, but I do NOT feel any more in touch with reality, or satisfied in my soul, or energized, or refreshed after a round of shows. Mostly, it brings subtle discontentment, restlessness, and lethargy to my life.

Now, I know that there are many arguments that oppose what I've said. I know that Christians tend to panic when I suggest that we leave the TV behind in our walks toward Christ. The choice to un-plug is called unnecessary, impractical, overwhelming, legalistic, and even ridiculous. The polite ones say, "Well, I guess that's fine for you, but that's really not necessary for the rest of us. I can watch most things and know that they are not in line with my beliefs, but as long as I recognize that, it doesn't affect me. Besides, what else would I do in order to relax?" Others may want to try letting go of the TV, but in truth, they're too cowardly. They don't believe that their God is big enough to deliver His promise that in His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Instead of going to God, they go to the TV. I realize that for many Christians, letting go of the TV would be a huge change. What would they talk to their friends about? How will they relate to the kids they teach in Sunday School if they don't know all the best shows? How will they be able to keep a hold on this world?

Well, I'm not going to tell anyone what to do. I am not willing to say that watching TV is always a sin, because I don't believe that is actually true. However, I would just like to tell you, with a huge smile on my face that comes from the depths of my heart, that the pleasure that comes from watching television can NEVER compare to the pleasure that comes from a life lived in God's presence. I haven't watched TV in many months, and while it was a big change at first, I DO NOT miss it at all.

If you want the life of a victorious, vibrant, radiant, confident, unshakable Christian, then you must go back to Psalm 73- but for me, the nearness of God is my good. Do you live in the nearness of God? Not just during your "quiet time" or church, but every moment of every day? Is that your good, or is your TV time trying to substitute for His tender, almighty presence?

When I was talking to my friend, I took a risk and mentioned a concept that is impossible to swallow for everyone except those who have caught a glimpse of just how good our God is- that every part of our lives either draws us closer to Him, or further away. There is no neutral ground. We do not have a secular life that is separate from the sacred; it is ALL the sacred for one who is called by the very name of Christ. We tend to be shocked by this, to immediately want to disagree and argue it away. But why should we? Look at what God has given for us! Look at what He offers us! Isn't it is our reasonable act of service that He should get every part of our lives in return? I would joyfully say that it isn't just our reasonable act of service, but our most precious privilege! There is NOTHING to regret in following after Christ with every ounce of strength you have.

May you be challenged and inspired to keep walking towards your God.

His mercies are new every morning!

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15)

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong! (1 Corinthians 16:13)

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 40:4-5)

Did you hear? The mouth of the LORD has spoken! Choose life, quit yourself... and be adopted, and live in the land of blessing, and see the glory of the Lord revealed!