I'm worn out. I'm not talking about physically, though I am tired. I'm not talking about school work, though it is a burden. I'm talking about negativity. I wrote about this before, but this time there is change.
I've identified the issue that has the most effect on my attitude. The cynicism around me. Sometimes I feel on top of the world, filled with the Spirit, motivated to press on for Jesus and love everyone I come in contact with. Then the cynic walks into the room and sucks it dry. Quenches the fire. Removes the hope.
It has a noticeable direct effect on my attitude. I hate it.
It doesn't bother me when an unregenerate is cynical; could I expect anything more? I love countering their cynicism with my joy that is in Christ.
It drains me when the Christians around me are cynical. They are my brothers in Christ! Where is the edification? Where is the joy? Where is the peace? Where is the hope? Where is the love?
I have made the choice to avoid cynical Christians as best I can. They are hindering me from being everything I can be in Christ. They are quenching the Spirit. I will tell them that this is why they see less of me. If God grabs ahold of their heart, then I will come back and be graced by their company once again.
-Nate
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Paralyzed
Sometimes we read stories of the Israelites in the Old Testament and pass judgment on them. God would show them his faithfulness and they would quickly forget it. Take, for instance, the story of their grumbling and complaining in the desert. Did you forget already that I led you out of captivity, that I parted the sea? Reading this story with the benefit of hindsight makes us look down on the Israelites, but aren’t we the same?
How quickly I forget the Lord’s faithfulness.
Thursday night I came to the Lord in prayer. I laid my worries, cares, and anxieties down at his feet. I poured it all out; it took and hour and a half. As a result, I was filled with the peace of God that transcends all understanding.
How quickly I forget, like an Israelite. Yesterday and today, I have been consumed with worry and anxiety. It’s almost paralyzing. I haven’t been able to get my work done because of it.
“We say, Israel, how could you forget after only 30 days? Come on!”
30 days? I forgot after 1 day.
Then the Lord reminded me. Gently.
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7
This is one of God’s most beautiful promises. Why can’t I remember it everyday?
How quickly I forget the Lord’s faithfulness.
Thursday night I came to the Lord in prayer. I laid my worries, cares, and anxieties down at his feet. I poured it all out; it took and hour and a half. As a result, I was filled with the peace of God that transcends all understanding.
How quickly I forget, like an Israelite. Yesterday and today, I have been consumed with worry and anxiety. It’s almost paralyzing. I haven’t been able to get my work done because of it.
“We say, Israel, how could you forget after only 30 days? Come on!”
30 days? I forgot after 1 day.
Then the Lord reminded me. Gently.
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7
This is one of God’s most beautiful promises. Why can’t I remember it everyday?
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Brace Yourself Like a Man
I am glad that my relationship with God is beyond emotions, because my emotions are not always solid ground, but my hope in God is.
Emotionally, I am so frustrated with God I could scream. We had a little argument in the van today. He is testing me. Don't get me wrong. Life is great. I'm not mad at God for putting me through a trial. He just continues to allow opportunities that are good. I am so tempted by good. I don't want to do a good thing, I want to do the best thing. My flesh wants the "good". I wish the option wasn't even there. It was better when it wasn't.
Thanks for letting me vent.
I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking that I know better than God. When I argue with God out loud, it only makes me realize how ridiculous my claims are. It is not bad to approach the throne in prayer with frustration and anger. But woe to me if I do not leave completely humiliated and broken. I sound ridiculous when I come to God in frustration. In this humiliation I find healing. In this humiliation God, not so subtly, reminds me that He is God and I am not.
When Job comes to God in frustration he is, not so subtly, reminded that God is God and he is not. "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." (Job 38:3) This is Nate's translation: prepare yourself, because God's answer is going to feel like a kick to the groin.
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" (v4)
haha... yeah. Good point.
"What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!" (v19-21)
ouch...
"Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the bear with its cubs?" (v32)
Emotionally, I am so frustrated with God I could scream. We had a little argument in the van today. He is testing me. Don't get me wrong. Life is great. I'm not mad at God for putting me through a trial. He just continues to allow opportunities that are good. I am so tempted by good. I don't want to do a good thing, I want to do the best thing. My flesh wants the "good". I wish the option wasn't even there. It was better when it wasn't.
Thanks for letting me vent.
I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking that I know better than God. When I argue with God out loud, it only makes me realize how ridiculous my claims are. It is not bad to approach the throne in prayer with frustration and anger. But woe to me if I do not leave completely humiliated and broken. I sound ridiculous when I come to God in frustration. In this humiliation I find healing. In this humiliation God, not so subtly, reminds me that He is God and I am not.
When Job comes to God in frustration he is, not so subtly, reminded that God is God and he is not. "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." (Job 38:3) This is Nate's translation: prepare yourself, because God's answer is going to feel like a kick to the groin.
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" (v4)
haha... yeah. Good point.
"What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!" (v19-21)
ouch...
"Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the bear with its cubs?" (v32)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
That Guy
To all those wondering, I survived the blizzard of 2011. Nonetheless it was very exciting.
I normally post in here on Tuesdays, but this week got a little crazy.
I’m really jazzed about what God is doing in West Michigan. Revival. It’s happening. Are you coming?
When I talk about revival I’m not talking about some crusade where an evangelist travels the country and everyone sings Kum-ba-ya. Traveling evangelists have their purpose, I’m not here to discredit them, but that’s just not what I’m talking about.
People are realizing that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. This is a revival that takes place in a community, not a stadium or auditorium. This is neighbors praying for neighbors, classmates praying for classmates, churches praying for churches. We are trying to wake the dead here, and that only happens by the power of prayer folks.
We started praying for places like Calvin and Grand Valley and the Lord is moving. There is a group of students that have come together at Calvin that are praying in revival. A group of Muslims at Grand Valley just accepted Christ as their Savior. Do you see what’s happening here? Don’t miss it.
Two nights ago I specifically prayed for one person for 20 minutes. I prayed that God would break her heart. I’ve never even met her, but she is important to me. She’s a friend of a friend. During my prayer it happened. God broke her heart and my friend led her to Christ! That very night.
Prayer. Revival. Can you feel it? God is good.
This is something else that I’ve been thinking about. I think there are a lot of times that we don’t want to be “that guy”. Who is that guy? He’s the guy that talks about Jesus and the Bible all the time, and every time you talk about something he relates it back to scripture. Doesn’t that guy just get on your nerves?
Well I’ve decided to strive to be that guy. If it’s annoying or uncomfortable, then it’s because we love the darkness and fear the light (John 3:20). I think Paul was “that guy”. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” -1 Corinthians 2:2
I normally post in here on Tuesdays, but this week got a little crazy.
I’m really jazzed about what God is doing in West Michigan. Revival. It’s happening. Are you coming?
When I talk about revival I’m not talking about some crusade where an evangelist travels the country and everyone sings Kum-ba-ya. Traveling evangelists have their purpose, I’m not here to discredit them, but that’s just not what I’m talking about.
People are realizing that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. This is a revival that takes place in a community, not a stadium or auditorium. This is neighbors praying for neighbors, classmates praying for classmates, churches praying for churches. We are trying to wake the dead here, and that only happens by the power of prayer folks.
We started praying for places like Calvin and Grand Valley and the Lord is moving. There is a group of students that have come together at Calvin that are praying in revival. A group of Muslims at Grand Valley just accepted Christ as their Savior. Do you see what’s happening here? Don’t miss it.
Two nights ago I specifically prayed for one person for 20 minutes. I prayed that God would break her heart. I’ve never even met her, but she is important to me. She’s a friend of a friend. During my prayer it happened. God broke her heart and my friend led her to Christ! That very night.
Prayer. Revival. Can you feel it? God is good.
This is something else that I’ve been thinking about. I think there are a lot of times that we don’t want to be “that guy”. Who is that guy? He’s the guy that talks about Jesus and the Bible all the time, and every time you talk about something he relates it back to scripture. Doesn’t that guy just get on your nerves?
Well I’ve decided to strive to be that guy. If it’s annoying or uncomfortable, then it’s because we love the darkness and fear the light (John 3:20). I think Paul was “that guy”. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” -1 Corinthians 2:2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)