Friday, October 26, 2012

Emails To Henry #3 - A Secret Life With God

Dear Henry,

One thing we need everyday is fellowship with Jesus. Andrew Murray has said, "It is through a personal encounter that we are freed from our sins. ... As He and I commune in the expression of common love and longing, His love will by the working of the Holy Spirit, conquer all sin in me." I am reminded of this verse out of Rev 1:5 "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood". Another version says, "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood". (Emphasis mine)

Again from Andre Murray, "May you experience the joy of fellowship with Jesus every day. ... You will be aware of the presence of Jesus throughout the day and discover the secrete of a life dedicated to Him."

Romans 12:1-2 from the Amplified Bible says "I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
(Emphasis mine)

One last appeal from scripture, Luke 9:23 says "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
(Emphasis mine)

A secret life with God will empower a daily life lived for Him. And least you think this not possible, remember, Prov 3:32 says "... He is intimate with the upright." God both desires and enables us to have an intimate relationship with Him, but we must spend time with Him for it to be developed.


Traveling With You,
jim

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Sitting And Serving

But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! (Lk 10:40 AMP)

The problem through Martha's eyes was that Mary was sitting instead of helping her serve. The problem through Mary's eyes was...well, actually, Mary was oblivious that there was a problem. The problem through Jesus' eyes was that Martha was distracted, and because of that, was making wrong choices. It would almost seem that Martha was habitually overly occupied and too busy. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with serving.  It is not a matter of sitting or serving. It is not a matter of either/or, but a matter of both/and. Both Mary, Martha, and ourselves need to both sit and serve.

There is a natural rhythm to life, and a rhythm to spiritual life. Without first sitting, we will not be able to serve with a consciousness of Christ that makes it a joyful experience. We must first be occupied with Jesus. He will then occupy us in such a way that we are enabled and able to minister joyfully to others as we serve.

Being overly occupied and too busy caused Martha to not choose or even recognize what was best, causing her to be distracted.

We must each ask our self, 'Is there anything in my life that is distracting me from God and His purpose for my life? Is there anything that is hindering my relationship with Him?'

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.
(1 Pe 1:18 MSG)