Archives for October 2024

“We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭5‬ ‭NASB

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB

“Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬ ‭NASB

“I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB

Can we chat for a minute? There is a pressing on my heart that makes me want to share a little something with you. As I look around the places I frequent, I see all kinds of influences. It is a battle for attention. Who or what can gain the most followers? Quantity over quality. Casual over intimate. Relationships without connection.

Consider how we scroll through social media, or at least I do, with no real attachment to the posts. We may laugh, cry, shake our heads or cringe. But most posts are mindless wanderings for my brain. Empty time wasters. I don’t want my posts to be empty time wasters and I don’t want to get sucked into the constant stream of empty time wasters. I don’t want social media to be my most important relationship.

Now consider your conversations with the people you encounter everyday. And maybe this is more for me than it is for you. Brief, passing conversations that stay on the surface, no depth. Little time for commitment of heart and mind. Too busy to stop and sit and really listen.

But then there are those that you pour into. Those people that you call your people. Maybe your kids. Maybe your spouse. Maybe your best friend. You would do anything for your people. Think of them. You don’t visit social media to catch up with them. The connection is deeper.

How well do you know them?  Do you know how they will respond in different circumstances?  Can you picture their eyes in your mind?  Do you have their movements and mannerisms memorized?  Does your heart leap when you get to spend time with them?  How much time have you spent with them?  Do you feel like you are an extension of them?  Or they are an extension of you?  Does it hurt to try and imagine your life without them?  Or maybe you have lost them and know well the heart ache of losing them but still carry them around with you in your heart?  You still imagine their presence.  All your senses know them.  Your mind knows them.  Your heart knows them.

Now what about your relationship with the Creator? Your relationship with God? Your relationship with Jesus Christ?

There will never be anything more important in your life than your relationship with Jesus Christ.  That one relationship can alter every other relationship you have.  It determines your eternity.  It gives peace that is unattainable without it.

But as with any relationship, it takes work.  You don’t really know someone unless you spend time with them.  Not just an occasional visit one day a week or month or year. 

Jesus knows you even more. 

Jesus loves you even more.

Your people need you to know Jesus.  They need you to make Him a priority. Because if you love Him, you will love them even better.

Do you want to know Him better? Ask Him. Let Him know you want to know Him better. Ask Him to lead you. Believe He will teach you. Trust Him to guide you in your learning. Now open the Bible. Don’t just read it but study it. Find a trusted group of believers to join for a study.

Ask God for discernment to know His truth and recognize false teachers. When you recognize them, leave them. Have nothing more to do with them except to pray for them.

Diligently seek Him.

He is the most important relationship you will ever have.

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬ ‭NASB