February 17, 2013

Good morning all-

Well, it's once again Sunday.  The time goes by so fast any more I don't know if I'm coming or going.  My son's basketball season will end this week and my other son is almost through with his last full semester.  Where does time go anyway?  I've been thinking about time a lot lately with all the days flowing into one.  It seems like ever since I got sick my energy level just isn't the same and yet, I wonder if it's my passion that is lacking.

This morning I got up and didn't even have the energy or drive to church.  My son had a friend over and my husband rarely goes.  I, on the other hand love to go to church and yet, here I am at home wondering what I missed.  Isn't that just like us, passionate one minute and lethargic the next.  I wonder how God puts up with us.  I'm not sure I would have the patience.  So, I'm really glad He does.

When is a good time to be passionate about God?  Have you ever asked yourself that question?  What makes you passionate, is it the weather, love, money, or fame?  It's a fair question and one I had to ask myself this morning.  I think when I am most passionate about God, He has taken me through a challenge and I have come out of it a better person.  It seems like I can continue that passion for a long time and then there is a sense of  lull.  I'm definitely not in lull right now but my energy is low, hopefully the season will change and that energy will come back in a flourish.  I've been down that path before so I'm no stranger to what I'm feeling.  As time ticks by, I miss those that have gone before me and I need a sense of who God really is.

So as I was thinking about it today, I realized that escaping in a book or watching television wasn't going to fix my heart issue.  Only going to the one that made me and molded me would.  So I picked up my phone and re-read John 15:15 and saw God.  He isn't just a Father; He is my friend.  How often I forget to cherish that aspect of my relationship.  I adore God and love Him with all my heart but I forget that when I'm not exactly passionate about everything and everyone, He's right next to me, listening, watching and encouraging me.  Isn't that what a friend does?  A friend is not harsh but loves with a quietness that few do.  A friend sees your stress and says, "I am here."  That's what God does and that's why I should be passionate every day and pursue my friend and awe my Father.

What a wonderful friend I have in Jesus!  The older you get the more you realize you need a friend like Jesus.  In our pain and in our silence, He is always near, watching over His flock and saying, "I'm here."  If we seek Him we will find Him and if we call, He does hear.  Just remember that when you ask for something be ready because it's for His glory, not Yours and sometimes the stretching is far greater than we realize.

Today, I come before you and ask that you would dedicate yourself to finding Christ, not just in the bad times but in the good times too.  It's easy to take His friendship for granted but we must watch ourselves and put as much effort into knowing Him as He has in knowing us.

I hope today brings you many blessings and that your friendship with Jesus is renewed.  For once again, I call out to my Friend and thanked Him for saving me!  Blessed are those that are redeemed by His blood!


Revelation 3:20-21 NKJV:

     Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.


James 2:23 NKJV:

    And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  And he was called the friend of God.

Luke 7:34 NKJV:

    The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

HOW GRACIOUS IS OUR KING!  What a friend we have in Jesus!  Let's not forget to be one back.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for being my friend.  I often don't deserve You and wonder how You put up with me in all my iniquity.  Renew my heart, O, Lord with a passion to pursue the things of You.  Help me to die to myself and replace it with You.  You have been a faithful Friend and a wonderful Father.  You have watched over me all my days and when life gets tough, You love me more.  My mom used to send us on our way with, "I love you more."  Today, those words are for You.  Without You in my life, I would be lonely and lost but with You, I am filled with gladness and grace.  Thank You for pursuing me and for finding me in my loneliest hours.  I am calling out to You to be the Friends of the lonely and lost.  Come before them the way You have come before me and renew in all of us a sense of wonder and purpose to pursue our Friend.  You have been my closest friend, my most trusted advisor and my greatest confidant.  You are all we need to get through today and the days ahead.  Be with all of us Lord as we strive to find You in our lives and in our hearts.  Bring passion among Your people and we pray that someday we will be as faithful of a friend as You have been to us.  Your life shows Your love and we need to bow before You, knowing that You are Lord but also treasuring Your mighty friendship.  Thank You for revealing Your Father to us, for giving of Your life and for never leaving us even when we deserve it.  You are the power behind the cross and I am forever Your mighty servant and friend.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow....