I would like to say something about the “it” factor in our relationship with God.<\/p>\n
I began listening to a podcast by Alistair Begg today, and he read a text in Isaiah.\u00a0 I didn’t even allow him to finish the text as I immediately paused the podcast off so I could read the words and listen again as God spoke.<\/p>\n
I had to hear it again.\u00a0 My Father was speaking to me.<\/p>\n
Here is where he began and as far as I got.<\/p>\n
The “it” factor of the word of God nailed me again.<\/p>\n
As I heard and then read this, it was as if I could hear God saying, “Dave, are you catching this, are you listening.\u00a0 I want to encourage you with these words because I am your God.”<\/p>\n
God still wows me; still captures my heart and imagination.\u00a0 Still knocks my socks off.<\/p>\n
He blesses me with a childlike sense of wonder often as I read his words, but sometimes as I observe a sunrise, or a big, fat bumble bee (not lately), driving down the road, sitting at the computer writing, etc.<\/p>\n
Multiple ways throughout my day.<\/p>\n
Are you wowed yet?\u00a0 Captured?\u00a0 Amazed, worshiping?\u00a0 You should be.<\/p>\n
Hear those words, Christian!\u00a0 That’s our “Dad” talking.<\/p>\n
Do we still love God?\u00a0 That is what God himself says it is all about so this is more than a fair question.<\/p>\n
Do I still love God?\u00a0 Have I ever loved God?<\/p>\n
It’s a big deal. A real big deal. Just ask the Ephesians.\u00a0 Here is what he had to say to a hard-working, persevering church that fought false teachers but forgot the main thing in their relationship with him.<\/p>\n
This wasn’t cup half-full as in:\u00a0 “Okay your love is waning, but on the positive you are doing some really good things in my name.”<\/p>\n
No!\u00a0 This was.\u00a0 No love – no light.\u00a0 You don\u2019t love me; you will not hold my light.<\/p>\n
“You have left love in the dust of your busyness.\u00a0 So remember the better place of love and repent, or I will remove your light.”<\/p>\n
No love – no light.\u00a0 That is what it means to Mr. Alpha and Omega.<\/p>\n
So I’m asking:\u00a0 Do you still have the “it” factor?\u00a0 Does God still amaze you and send unexpectedly to moments of worship and wonder?<\/p>\n
Do you love God?<\/p>\n
We can speak to and dwell on how much God loves us, but until we truly love him, the relationship is not complete.<\/p>\n
And we don’t have the “it,” the zing.\u00a0 The wonder of being transported to and living in the reality that God is there and that God speaks his truth into this world and my life.<\/p>\n
Even right now.\u00a0 I am amazed that God even cares.\u00a0 Yes, “God so loved the world,” but God wants me to love him back?\u00a0 C\u2019mon!\u00a0 And he puts this at the top of his priority list for me to live by?\u00a0 Are you kidding me?<\/p>\n
I can’t help it.\u00a0 Abba Father has blown me out of the water again.<\/p>\n
I praise you, Father.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I would like to say something about the “it” factor in our relationship with God. I began listening to a podcast by Alistair Begg today, and he read a text in Isaiah.\u00a0 I didn’t even allow him to finish the … Continue reading