I’m struck again with a painful reality as I reflect on Tozer’s The Pursuit of God. He says, “…for millions of Christians…God is no more real than He is to the non-Christian. They go through life trying to love an ideal and be loyal to a mere principal.” Ugghhh! He goes on to say, “the very ransomed children of God themselves – why do they know so little of that habitual conscious communion with God which the Scriptures seem to offer? The answer is our chronic unbelief… A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it. God Himself is here waiting our response to His presence. This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality.”
I’m drawn to Tozer’s writings. Oh, I know, he was a terrible family man; neglected his wife and family by spending hours in his study only to withdraw to eat and return again. What was he doing? Sometimes, studying. Sometimes, writing. Sometimes, preparing messages. Sometimes, reading. But, more than anything else, worshiping. His articles and sermons flowed from a life wholly devoted to worshiping Almighty God. Tozer was an “unquechable worshipper,” to use Matt Redman’s term.
MY PRAYER:
Almighty God, Creator of All, Giver of Life, and Lover of My Soul, may you receive the glory due Your Name today in my life and the lives of all believers. God, overwhelm me today with Your Presence. When I rise up or lie down, when I go or stay, in work or play, today, may our communion be full and sweet. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Focus my mind’s attention and heart’s affection on You. And, when I lose sight of the spiritual kingdom all about me, as surely I may, increase my faith and “help Thou my unbelief.”
WOW! We serve a holy God! A BIG GOD! He is the LORD Almighty Who spoke worlds into existence, Who through His great and mighty acts has defeated every foe. And yet, our circumstances often crowd Him out of our thoughts and dim our recognition of His provision and presence in our lives.
Matt Redman wrote in a little book called The Unquenchable Worshipper that, “The heart of God loves a persevering worshipper, who, though overwhelmed by many troubles is overwhelmed more by the beauty of God.”
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY:
The amazing beauty of Your holiness does me in, and undoes me again and again. For it is in Your presence that I see You as You are, and myself as I am. And, yet, Your grace reminds me that You made me, that You love me, and You desire to have me to Yourself; that You’ve covered me in Your Own righteousness by the blood of Your beautiful Son, Jesus. Such love constrains me, binds my heart to Yours, and gives me renewed hope for a beautiful life that reflects Your glory. O, God, as I sing to You a new song, a song born out of gratitude and love, may others see and fear and put their trust in You.
AMEN!
Have you heard the song, “Lead Me,” by Sanctus Real? Read this:
Verse 1
I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying…Chorus
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”Verse 2
I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying…Chorus
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”Bridge
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t You lead me?Chorus 2
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this aloneEnding
Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Copyright © 2009 Birdwing Music (ASCAP) Toledo Tomorrow Music (ASCAP) 1012 Rosedale Music(ASCAP) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Sony Atv Cross Keys Pub (ASCAP) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
What a powerful lyric! I was listening this morning when I discovered there is a short video clip that tells the story behind the song.
WATCH THIS:
Is that convicting, husbands and dads, or what? Marriages are under attack all around us. We have a responsibility to the next generation to get it right. Don’t think for a moment I’m finger-wagging. My life has been full of events, acts, and reactions that have left me with more humble pie than I’ll ever finish eating. But, I’ve discovered God’s forgiveness and grace and I’m still going before Him, offering my life, and seeking to have my heart and will conformed and my mind transformed everyday. Still not “there” yet. What about you?
Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:33, “Husbands, love your wives. Wives, respect your husbands.” Our LIFE Group is going to be starting a study taken from the book, Love and Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs that focuses on this very topic; husbands loving wives and leading their families, and wives respecting their husbands. Men are made with an innate need for respect and women need to be loved. The challenge comes in living that out in every interaction within the home.
Let me encourage you husband and dad to hang in and lead. For months I’ve been under the conviction to pray for husbands/dads and families. Be a man that’s willing to be lead by the Father, and then to lead. That’s my prayer.
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What would you give up for God’s glory? What do you need to give up for God’s glory? Dignity, pride, perfection, stuff… that’s just the beginning of my list. At what point in your life did it become all about you? For me it was probably quite early. First child. First grandchild. You know what I’m talking about. Of course it was all about me. I’ve spent the last 25 years learning that it isn’t, but apparently I’m a slow learner. I’m constantly amazed at my inability to “get it” and God’s infinite patience when I don’t. And, yet, He pursues me. He nudges me. He loves me along and occasionally, I get a glimpse of what He’s teaching me. Read more..
I went to visit a dear old friend a couple days ago. He’s 80-ish and has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As I walked up he looked up from his wheelchair and in a very agitated voice asked, “Who are you?!?” I’ve known him for a long time. We’re friends. He used to sing with me in choir. He was one of the first, if not the first, “old guy” outside of my family to tell me he loved me. Yet, he had no idea who I was.
Does that ever happen in our relationship with God? Oh, I know. It’s comparing apples and oranges. But, really… are there times in life that you look up at God when He draws near, and because of sin, self, family, television, friends, you say, “Who are you?”