It is time to get in the ring.

There are times that I desperately 'want' something, but after obtaining it, the novelty wares off and it gets put aside. You might note I did highlight the word 'want'. Confession time, I also believe too often things are too easily placed in our reach and available to us with means such as credit, etc. and thus we accumulate more than we actually require.

There is something in the advice about going away a while and doing the almost unmentionable in our vocabulary today, praying about it and even saving for it. Making it a goal and working toward attaining it (if we have resolved with God that it is something that might be appropriate/beneficial).

What about spiritual matters though? What is it you might desire above other things? What are you prepared to do to receive something spiritual? Have a read of this short passage a moment:-

Genesis 32:22-32
The Message (MSG)

^24-25 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn’t get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob’s hip out of joint.

²⁶ The man said, “Let me go; it’s daybreak.”

Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”

Would you be prepared to wrestle with a representative of God to receive a blessing from God? Is it not what is represented on those occasions within Scripture where we are called upon to contemplate persistent prayer? To keep coming before the Father with our request and not giving up until the answer is received, the blessing experienced.

Of recent days, I have been challenged to consider prayer and what it is 'I draw a circle around', seek answers too, from God. It may be a matter of stretching my faith, believing where I don't always see the answer already, practicing faith in a God who is mighty, the creator and sustainer of all things. It is about not giving up on occasions and really going for what I believe is laid upon my heart.

I wonder, are there things that you would, or even 'need' to be wrestling for? If so, can I encourage you to get in the ring, and not let go until you receive the answer, the blessing.

Bless ya real good!  

Of what consequence ...

I recall a couple of people in conversation recently who had many questions. You know what I mean, the wondering "why?" Why this death? Why such destruction? Why such pain and suffering? Why, why, why? And much of what they were discussing was really about - "why me?"

What was said next is what really interested me, (because I have thought along these lines myself before, until I really thought about it, and came to a new realisation). The conversation turned to all they were going to ask God/Jesus to explain when they got to heaven. It was like, God was going to have to give account, give reason and understanding to all these things that had happened to them.

Have you stopped to think about it a moment? When you leave this earth and meet with the God of the universe, the Creator. When you come face to face with Jesus, the One who laid down His life freely, that you and I could have life. The conqueror of death. When you come face to face, what will it be that is on your tongue? What will be running through your mind? Do you really think it will be about something you don't understand and seeking an answer?

I don't believe it will be, for the angels cry, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, God Almighty!" They sing praises to Him. Are we likely to do other than this? Is anything else of greater importance? Really?

Paul in writing to the church in Philippi recalls his personal standing (circumcised, a pure-blooded citizen of Israel, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, a real Hebrew, a member of the Pharisees - Philippians 3: 1-6) and follows on with this claim:

Philippians 3:7-11 (New Living Translation)

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[a] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Or maybe the songwriters capture it for you as they do for me:

 

When I look into Your Holiness.

When I gaze into Your loveliness.

When all things that surround

Become shadows in the light of You.

 

When I found the joy of reaching Your heart.

When my will becomes enthralled in Your love.

When all things that surround

Become shadows in the light of You.

 

I worship You, I worship You.

The reason I live

Is to worship You

(Wayne Perrin, Cathy Perrin)

 

"I desire to be faithful in my worship and service to You each day Lord, help me to live upright and true to who I am in You."