3 replies to this topic

[Thinker]

Are we kidding ourselves? I'm talking about and to all who are reading this and who claim a saving relationship with Jesus. Are we really serious about nurturing this relationship? Is Jesus truly the center of our lives or have we relegated Him to the margins? Is there a lesson to be learned from the deer? Martin Nystrom gives us some musical insight in his song: "As the Deer." He wrote, "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship Thee." Would our singing these lyrics be hypocritical? Do we "get around" to Jesus or is He the most important part of our lives? The Psalmist exclaimed, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee! O God! My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God...." (Psalm 42:1-2a)! if this is what we want, it will cost. Our wandering hearts (mind, emotions and will) will have to be subdued and disciplined until all of our lives actually revolve around Him. All responsibilities and interests will have to be less important than our devotion to Him. Only a fervent love for Him will bring this to reality. "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). The mind, emotions and will must be mastered and fixed on this goal: "That I may know Him...." (From Philippians 3:10). Selah! Will our response to this article be that it is interesting or will we rise to the challenge? It will take time, effort and determination. He waits to reveal Himself to us in the Word and in the prayer closet. Let's not keep Him waiting.   Thinker  (Ron)

[John Poff]

Amen!

[Kevin Blankenship]

Here's a summarized version: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"