Greetings to you in the name that allows us access into the Father’s presence, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour.What a delightful November morning … I trust that you have had a good week with lots of good things to ponder and thank God for. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release a healing, restorative touch on you that will encourage and energize.
Over the past weeks I believe God has been confronting me with the need to have an intimate relationship with him – to seek His presence. I thought I was doing okay with that but there was a ‘something’ in my spirit that seemed out of alignment. So I decided that I needed to make some changes. Now that sounds easier than it seems. Usually that suggests being more disciplined in my spiritual life or adding another activity or finding a new “cd” to listen to or simply waiting for Him to act on my behalf and do something weird…or God-like. However this time it doesn’t seem to be working.
So what to do…what to do? Well…as I have told others at moments like this…”when all else fails–don’t try harder, try softer” and it worked! I learned something I should have known well enough that I didn’t need to learn again. But, in case I didn’t get it, God sent some simple words in a devotional reading this morning: “The Presence of God is discovered in prayer. And while that is an obvious truth, many people learn to pray without the Presence, thinking their discipline is what God is looking for….our prayer lives are sustained not where there is discipline but where there is passion…Discipline is not a negative thing; it is a vital element when it comes to sustaining our passion. However, if there is no passion for us to sustain, we need to do a serious about face.” – Bill Johnson, “Hosting The Presence Every Day.”
This is why that a day or so ago I sent you the ‘youtube’ link to the song … “Have I told you lately that I loved you?” I came to understand the importance of singing to God…and not just about him. Oddly enough, it was while listening to some songs from a different genre that God revealed that if I…you…aren’t passionate about our relationship with Him, we are beginning to take him for granted – and maybe even “cheating” on him. Now that is a challenging thought…but God confronted his people with that idea many times and even in the revelation to John – I have this against you, you have left your first love! Jesus reminded a man, who should have known better – it was a ‘covenant statement’ – You shall love (have passion) the Lord your God…and even in the “Big Ten” – You shall no other gods before me.
So I am becoming more ‘disciplined’ in expressing my passion to God..or is it more passionate about my discipline? I am finding that that “something” is fading away. I am remembering the powerful truth and challenge of “falling in love with God…over and over and over again!” – and stop trying harder, try softer.
Have a beautiful weekend – spend some time with God, simply expressing your love to him!