Someone has once said, "Christianity is nothing if it is not supernatural." Although, we know that Christianity is not a "religion" as some classify religion; yet if we are not living in and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit then our faith or "religion" is like any other religion--It is DEAD!! Let us live in the Supernatural not the Superficial.
The carnal (selfish/childlike thinking) mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse.--Charles Spurgeon
The great problem in our churches (personal lives) is not a Lack of Faithfulness to Christ, but it is a Loss of Focus on Christ. Isaiah was a faithful prophet, but his life and ministry changed once he SAW Christ high and lifted up (Isaiah 6). When Christ came back into focus everything else fell into place, including faithfulness.
Let us ask God for a fresh glimpse of His Son, and our Savior--the Lord Jesus Christ. 2John 1:4, "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father." Such a revelation of those who profess to know Jesus Christ. John rejoiced in their Faithfulness, not in their Failure. So many people who PROFESS to know Jesus Christ, do not rejoice when others are faithful, but they are just "tickled-pink" when they hear of someone Failing and Faltering in the Christian walk. If someone, who professes to be a Child of God, rejoices or receives some type of satisfaction when someone is no longer faithful---that individual, who professes to be a Christian, is in SIN and is nothing like the Son of God. It should BREAK us when people turn and go against God. GOD HELP!!! We need a revival!
Isaiah 55:6,7, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon"
When we are longing for the Son of God in His glory and righteousness, the sincerity of our desire will be seen in our separation from sin. The understanding of the awfulness of sin will be indicated by our putting away of the sin. "I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene. And wonder how He love me, a sinner condemned unclean."
As one reads the word of God there is a prevailing thought that can be seen throughout---God is ALWAYS moving towards man. In the book of Revelation there are seven churches, of the seven, five are out of the will of God. Who is trying to make things right? GOD----it's always God. Thank God that He is always searching and seeking after man. Isaiah 55:1, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Let us rejoice and be thankful that God offers to EVERY ONE that is thirsty a drink from the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14) . He invites all to come and drink. God is always in Pursuit of man!! If you are thirsty and empty today--GET TO JESUS CHRIST!! He alone can satisfy a thirsty soul! Let us hunger and thirst after righteousness, for then and only then will we be filled (Matthew 5:6) John 13:34,35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." There are those who do not believe in ONE-ON-ONE soul-winning or visitation efforts. They will take these verses and twist them by saying that if the world sees our love for one another it would compel them to trust Jesus Christ. That is about the biggest excuse o...f laziness for not telling others about Christ. Jesus Christ did not say that they would become disciples and believers in HIM, but that they would know that we are His disciples. The LOVE would give POWER behind our PREACHING, the WITNESS behind our WORDS, the EXAMPLE behind our EXHORTATION. Love is the PROOF in the PUDDING. Love for the one another is important, but it cannot be our excuse for not telling a lost and dying world of salvation found in Christ.
Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
---- Matthew Henry writes, "God will have mercy. He will not deal with us as our sins have deserved, but will have compassion on us. Misery is the object of mercy." Thank God that our misery is the object of His mercy. Matthew Henry continues, "He will abundantly pardon. He will multiply to pardon (so the word is), as we have multiplied to offend. Though our sins have been very great and very many, and though we have often backslidden and are still prone to offend, yet God will repeat his pardon, and welcome even backsliding children that return to him in sincerity." WOW!!! What a merciful God we serve. |