Tomorrow will be a day to place my nose to the grind but today continued the blessing of spending time with those I love. Thank You, Father, for time spent with my beloved today! It started off with doctor appointments for us both but the rest of the day was a joy of time spent together.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. James 1:17 (AMP)
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A friend of mine from Facebook posts a daily blog entitled, YOU MATTER! (<<click here to read his post) Today’s post pulled at my heartstrings in that it fleshed out many of my recent thoughts. (We seem to do that with each other quite often!)
He had read an article from Christianity Today entitled, To Spiritual Seekers, Doubters And Abandoners: We’ll Hold A Place For You, (<<click the title to read the article) written by Karl Vaters. (I read it, too.)
I felt that I needed to share, as well.
I know many who seem to have left “church”, as it is in our culture, behind. They have been raised in the “church” and are very familiar with the ins and outs of it but they have become disillusioned with it. I struggle with it, too. I know lots of pastors who diligently strive to challenge congregations to not be satisfied with a surface relationship with Christ but we seem to be wading upstream – against the current.
Many parishioners are content to settle for the status quo. They see no need to rock the boat. They like the way things are. It seems some people’s mentality is “Feed me but don’t expect me to really do anything with it.” “I want to feel good about my ‘participation’ but I have no desire to get my hands dirty.” And those who have left the “church” – those who are on the fringe of it – want nothing to do with any of it.
From their perspective, the living out of our faith is shallow and empty. It is powerless… And that is everything but who Christ is!
Christ is rich and full and oh so deep! And that is the Christ that I want to emulate! That is the Christ that I want to control how I interact with His world!
Paul’s directive for Titus, in regards to believers, speaks volumes.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior… Titus 3:1-6 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, I plead to be more like You! Help me to cast off that of my life which does not please You. May I be a beacon shining bright for all to see. May Your genuineness fill me. Amen.
Aug 15th, 2019, Thurs, 8:36 pm
