How do you pray when you're broken? What do you pray for when you have nothing left, and your life is a shambles? How do you lift your spirit high enough that you can face God with your desires? We are often embarrassed when we have totally failed in life; we cover ourselves in leaves and hide as Adam and Eve did. Is that really what we should do? Is our faith that shallow? Has our God given us up to our despair?
Do you wake up in the morning to the life of a free man or woman, or have you given control to something or someone? Are you independent, or have you given yourself over to a grand idea, your family, job, perhaps drugs, or some other thing, how about God? Is being free really a choice you can make, or are you owned, and just being rebellious? Let's explore our freedom, God, Jesus, and faith.
What do you do with fruit of great sacrifices that have been made for you? Do you take them like provisions into your larder? Do you consume them like a fine wine? Or, perhaps you distribute them among the deserving? This begs the question... what do we do with the great sacrifices, what do we do with the blood offering of Jesus?
Are you satisfied with what God has done in you? When you look in the mirror in the morning are you pleased and at ease with the fact that Jesus has filled you with His teaching and that the Holy Spirit has expanded you to the point of popping at the seams? All of this is wonderful, but what is really asked of us isn't to reach self-fufilment, but rather that we Channel all we are given to those around us. Our measure is in service, not in volume.
Have you set yourself apart for God? In other words, are you holy? If you think you are then let's go a step further and ask ourselves "am I perfect!" These are hard questions and we often deflect them by saying that only Jesus is perfect, so how could I possibly be.
Has Jesus given you a joy like His, or do you anticipate that you will one day have joy like the joy of Jesus? Well, I am going to burst your bubble and then give you a new hope regarding joy. Our anticipation should never be to have a joy like Jesus' because we won't have one like His!
Do you celebrate the great things you do for the Lord? Is your life dedicated to accomplishing those tasks that you feel will advance the Kingdom of God? Well my friend the things of real value to our Father are not about what we do for our faith, but in maintaining a good relationship with Him, and allowing His work to flow through us.
How strong is your belief in Christ? Have you grown in your faith to the place where those things that are not seen leave shadows before you? Is heaven as real as the home you return to each night? When Jesus holds your hand can you feel the warmth of the blood coursing through it?
How is your life in Christ? Before you answer this question answer another... "how often do I pray?" We think that our life with Christ is robust because of the things we do, and yet we have not humbled ourselves before Him in prayer; our relationship is starving.
In Nashville we had a total eclipse of the sun this year (2017), and although it took a while to reach the totality, or period the of time in which the moon totally covers the sun, the totality itself lasted for two minutes or less. Quite often the period of time God shines His light of opportunity in our lives is short as well. If we miss the chance to see or to act upon the calling which God presents us, we may never experience that opportunity again.
Do you know the peace of Jesus Christ? When your life is being torn apart by calamity do you find rest and peace in Him? In Christ we find a peace unlike any other; not the carefree blue sky feeling of the trouble free, but the deep and abiding peace given in the midst of chaos. A peace that defies all understanding.
Today I celebrate my wife's birthday. I have lived with her longer than any other human being on earth, and in that time I have loved her without reservation. My love for her forms one of the foundation stones of my life, and like my love for Jesus Christ, it rests firmly upon God himself.
Are you prepared to pray? By that I mean, are you prepared to pray and receive the blessing of which you speak with God? So often we come to the Lord unprepared; living one life and praying as if we lived another.
Do you have a secret garden? You know, a secret place that you retreat to when you need to do some serious thinking? How about a quiet place where you go to be alone with God? Is it a place you can get to quickly and often? Is it away from all distractions? Do you begin your day there?
Do you have an inkling of worthiness? Do you feel that you are owed forgiveness or that in some way you deserve to receive Jesus? If so then you are not prepared for His coming or the arrival of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist knew what it felt to be unworthy.