Does It Match Up?
Leonard Ravenhill said:
“Are the things you are living for
worth Christ dying for?”
Did you feel a gut punch too? As Levi Lusko says: “If that doesn’t light your fire, your woods wet.” ;)
Just for a minute - take stock of the things you are living for … are they worth Jesus dying for?
How’d you do? Do they match up? I know I came up short, I could justify and explain but the bottom line is some things do not match up.
Mike Kelsey said: “Today, may God deliver us from the delusion that He has become casual about our sin simply because we have become comfortable with it.”
Are there areas in our lives that we are too comfortable with excusing and justifying, but is keeping us from the fullness of all God has for us?
Romans 7 and 8 may shed some light to part of the problem: Paul talks about wanting to do good, but not doing it; we have no condemnation in Jesus; if we are led by God’s Spirit we are God’s children; we no longer have the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. (take a minute to read those chapters)
Shame (who we are) and guilt (what we do) will always want take us out of the game. We will always struggle with sin and complacency as long as we live, but God has provided why it's important to keep fighting and a way out.
Our unit that we are teaching the 3-5 year olds in church is about how God made everything for His glory. So, if God made us, it seems logical to say how we live matters because we are to bring glory to His name.
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15&16
Simply said, we are set apart from the world in how we live, because God is set apart and we are His children.
It doesn’t matter if I see myself as worthy, holy or valuable, God says I am.
We could probably make a list of all the things that we could change and be better in doing. But do we really need another list of things to add to our already heavy-laden “to-do’s”?
I don’t think God has a problem with our being busy with work and family or helping our community and neighbors. In fact, He has a lot to say as to why it’s important and how we show our love for Him and bring Him glory in how we love and serve others. He doesn’t even have a hard time with us having down time, I mean He created Sabbath.
Maybe it’s more about the why behind it.
Did you know that 55% of communication is non-verbal? Meaning our body language. Did you know that you can tell how interested a person is in talking to you by looking at where their feet are pointing? Are they facing you or the door?
Let’s take that information and apply it to our walk with God. Where are your feet pointing when you are reading your Bible or praying? Are you all in, face-to-face with Him or are you already moving towards the next thing to do for the day? Do you have your arms crossed and roll your eyes when the Holy Spirit brings something to your attention?
I have found in my life when I can be fully known by my Heavenly Father, not holding back, and sharing all the things that I’m carrying, I tend to not allow things to usurp what I know I need to do. I don’t allow things to take over and deaden my heart and mind. I stop hiding.
I can walk confidently that I am living for the things that Jesus died for. Jesus died so I could know and love God so I can have peace-grace-freedom from sin-abundant life-healing-and many, many more things.
I have to say it was discouraging to see how far apart some areas in my life were, but man! He is forgiving and life-giving. Shame doesn’t come from Him. When you know better, do better.
It’s a hard check-in question to sit with, but do it anyway. Ask God to show you and then how to change it.
“If you need wisdom, as your generous God,
and he will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)
I love that I can ask for wisdom for everything! Don’t you????
Have an amazing day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo
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A little info on Leonard Ravenhill: he was an English Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival. He is best known for challenging western evangelicalism to compare itself to the early Christian Church as chronicled in the book of Acts.