Remember this song?
Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more! How many of you have had to go through physical test to determine the state of your health? There are tolerance tests. function tests, biopsies, blood test, etc. Then there are personality tests, developmental tests, psychological tests, and of course, the assessment tests -- all to test various weakness or ailments. A few days ago I just sat for a while and meditated on some of the various medical tests i have undergone and the thought came to me, "What if I were to to through some tests to evaluate my TRUST HEALTH?" What if I were to go through a tolerance test to determine my trust in Jesus? Am I 'allergic' to people with whom I come in contact? Perhaps those of different ethnicity or different social status; or maybe someone with different moral standards or even different hygiene standards. Oh, yes there are those with a colorful background that when I get near I might "break out" with a "spiritual rash." Maybe I should have a developmental test. I have been a believer in Christ for a long time. How much have I matured? Am I still underdeveloped in my "to be like Jesus test," or my "love my neighbor as myself test?" How about the "renew your mind" test? Or a function test. Do I tend to still function in the "old man's sinful nature" or have I transitioned to the "new creation nature," or am I maybe functioning only slightly as a "new creation" and mostly in the "old nature?" The test might show that I could even be unstable in my functions and they see-saw from "old nature" to "new creation" and then soon swing to the polar opposite -- "new creation" back to "old nature." How is my personality test? Just how much does my personality reflect"trusting in Jesus?" Could it possibly be that I am too self-sufficient and rely on my own talents and ability? Could it be that I depend on people, or wealth, or society more than I trust in Jesus? Do I reflect the love and characteristics of my Father, or do I try to imitate the more popular personalities? What does my growth chart show? Am I still a toddler, picking myself up again after falling again and again? Have I gotten to the teenager stage with all the insecurities and rebellion? Hopeful, I have at least reached early adulthood, but my goal is to reach maturity to the point that I fully and absolutely trust Him and His eternal Word. And the assessment test? What do the combined results revealed about my trust health? do I take Jesus at His Word? Do I rest upon His promise? Do I prove Him over and over again in ALL His promises, or do I have to just use His basic promise of forgiveness and starting over again and again. Oh, for grace to trust the Great Physician more than I trust my MD's.
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Someone recently asked me, "How do you really get to know God better?" This question has haunted me ever since.
We know there are stages of 'knowing' someone. You recognize some people when you see them: there are others with whom you socialize or work with occasionally and know a little better. Then there are those with whom you are fairly friendly on a regular basis; others with whom you are "good friends." And in each category there are probably still more levels, or stages, of 'knowing.' Some of you have a very good friend, a spouse, or someone with whom you are very close __ unconditionally. How did you get to that point? I don't want to editorialize, spiritualize, or 'psychologize' (I know that is not a word, but bear with me). But let's take a common sense approach to look at the question -- "How DO you get to know God better>" Let's begin by looking at human relationships. If someone is repulsive to you, you are not likely to desire to know them. But if someone is attractive or appealing to you, then what is the first thing that comes to your mind. Isn't it "I'd like to get to know him (or her)." So, how do you start? You ask! The question, "Could we meet?' Sometimes you might be a little more subtle and gradually work up to the question, but the truth is, you must ASK! Then you communicate. Communication is conversing two ways. No one likes to talk very long to someone who dominates the conversation and never lets anyone else talk. Them. why do we think that God is an exception? After all, HE wants to talk with You, too. If the only time your child spoke to you was to ask for money or the car keys, etc, it is not likely that the relationship will flourish. You want your child, (friend, spouse etc.) to listen to your opinion occasionally o to just simply sit with the family and participate in the conversation, or just enjoy being together where it is not necessary to even talk. HE does too. Now, make time for Him. I remember when Bill and I were dating, getting to know each other, how often we would let each other things go in order to spend time together. It often required a sacrifice to spend time with him. Sleep was sometimes deprived because our allotted time three to four hours would turn into five or six hours. But we were enjoying each other's company so much that we did not want to separate. Mother would start about eleven o'clock and from her bedroom just on the other side of the window say, "Dorothy, don't you think it is time to come in?" And we wouldn't stop --every few minutes she would remind me that "my" time was important. How long has it been since you spent an extra hour or two just enjoying the company of the lord and perhaps depriving yourself of a little time or pleasure. have you decided to spend some time with the Lord and after a very few minutes the distractions started. 'It's getting late and you have to get up early,' or 'i'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open so I had better go to bed,' or even, 'If I don't hurry I'll miss the news (or my favorite show." Really getting to know someone requires spending a quantity of quality time together. Another thing that I think is important is to find a trysting (your special meeting place) place. Bill's and our favorite place was the front porch swing at my parent's home. We would just migrate to that spot. Even when we had been spending time with the family, we would afterward just go sit and talk for hours. Sometimes we would just sit and enjoy each other's company without saying much. There was just something about that spot that was special. Space does not permit a long dissertation, but think about another vital aspect of getting to know someone -- that's submission. The ideal relationship is when each person puts the other person ahead of their own desires. And finally, never allow a relationship to deteriorate to the point that time spent together is not pleasurable nor to the point of only spending time together when you want something There are other aspects, of course, but think on these things. |
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Pastor BillArchives
May 2017
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