I heard something on Sunday that really troubles me. My Pastor's message was entitled "Where is the Transformation?'. When someone receives Christ and the Holy Spirit takes up residence within them... there should be some evident changes. From the inside out. He used lots of statistics from "self-proclaimed" christians.
One statistic stated that over 50% of christians are satisfied with their spiritual lives. They like things the way they are... wanting no more.
"What??"
Please let me say... "that is not me". I so want to know Christ more. I want to grow in my relationship with Him. I long to be closer to Him. I cannot imagine not wanting more of Christ. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Lord declares, "You are my witnesses, my chosen servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me." (43:10) Again, in the book of Jeremiah the Lord says, " I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord". (24:7). God desires that we know Him. And I want to take Him up on that offer.
In the dictionary, the word "know" means, to understand by fact or truth, to fix in the mind, to understand by experience, and to apprehend with clarity and with certainty. That sounds like something that I want. To understand God by fact or truth, to have it fixed in my mind, to understand Him by my experiences with Him, and to grasp Him with clarity and certainty.
So... I am in the minority ?? Come to think of it, I must be in the minority of the minority. But, you know what ?? I am mighty glad I am!! He is a mighty God... and I want to know Him more.
1Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared in give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
9 comments:
Lynn:
I'm with you! One of my favorite scriptures along these lines is Jeremiah 9:23-24.
"This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let hiim who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD."
We serve the only God who can be known. That sets him apart from all the other "gods" in this life.
Thanks for sharing~elaine
Amen and Amen!!! We are in the middle of missions conference at our church and the challenge is to never get "comfortable" in our walk but to know him more and share him with all more.
Great post!
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you (and me) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you (and me) may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17 (Italics Mine)
That's my prayer for YOU and ME and our Tuesday Night Gals. And I love praying God's word because you know He's gotta answer if your praying His will. Can't wait to see what He teaches us.
Wow...those are sobering statistics! I'm with you in the minority because I undoubtedly have much more learning and growing to do! I want to look back six months or a year from now and see growth! I want to know the Lord better with every passing day! Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Tracy
I'll sing that tune with you Lynn. I want to know Him more. He's might and infinite. So we'll never know it all... why stop learning?
Amen and Amen, Sister. I feel like you. When I was younger and "thought" I was a Christian, I struggled with feeling that I didn't want Jesus to return for fear I would miss something in my life. Now, that I "know" Him, I never feel that way. Most days I am like Paul and long to be with Him, but realize that I have work to do here, too. I can't wait to see Him, and I want to be more like Him.
I found your blog from a blog roll on another blog and I'm so glad I did. I too am struggling with so many things right now, including the financial problems with a husband losing a long time job through no fault of his own. I've drifted away from God and now I'm working to restore that relationship. I guess that puts me in the minority too.
That's a very interesting statistic. I wonder though if those 50% of christians "like things they way they are" or if they just don't realize there can be more. That was me 'till about 4 yrs ago. I didn't even realize what I was lacking 'till God showed me.
I thank Him for breathing new life into this heart of mine that had grown stale. Revive us again!
Melanie
Lynn,
Thank you for your encouragement on my blog. I have felt for sometime that I should put my whole testimony down somewhere. Actually I know I should instead of bits and pieces.
Someone asked for it today and since I'm in the middle of studying, I had to find written things and piece it together!
I guess HE was right in saying we should always be ready to give an account of the hope that is within us. I think that's the verse...I haven't memorized that yet!
Your post...perfect and timely. The Hebrew word for "know" is "yada" which means so much more to them than we think!
It is the same word used when the KJV says "and he knew her" meaning they became so close they were one.
How can they be satisfied when know means that intimacy?
Love your transparency and love for him.
Keep showing HIS glory, Dear One,
Teri
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