How Intense is Our Craving?
#1
Posted 15 September 2012 - 11:04 AM
Actually, it is not strange at all. We are born with Adam's fallen nature dominating our lives. We naturally seek many things that have no lasting value and/or that can damage us in this life and the one to come. If we long for our lives to be good, we do it because we want respect, we want to be thought of as moral and decent and we are afraid of the consequences of doing or being wrong.
The real tragedy is that we don't naturally seek after or crave God. Paul pointed this out in Romans 3:11. He says, under inspiration, for them and us, "....there is none that seeketh after God." An even far greater tragedy is when those who profess to know Him, in a saving relationship, have no real craving for Him, Himself. We want His blessings, His help and His approval but do we crave to know Him and fellowship with Him on an intimate level? In all honesty, how great is our intense desire to bask in the joy of spending quality time in His Presence?
Let's let His revealing of Himself in the Bible bring about a craving for Him that would motivate us to cry out like the psalmist in Psalms 42:1-2, "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: when shall I come and appear before God?" Selah! "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." What a promise! Are we famished for God?
Thinker (Ron)
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#2
Posted 16 September 2012 - 03:26 AM
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#3
Posted 16 September 2012 - 01:07 PM
#4
Posted 24 September 2012 - 01:07 PM
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#5
Posted 24 September 2012 - 04:00 PM
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#6
Posted 25 September 2012 - 04:55 AM
#7
Posted 27 September 2012 - 05:56 PM
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#8
Posted 28 September 2012 - 08:18 AM
I think part of the problem is the residue left over from Greek philosophy. What I mean is that the early church was exposed to Platonic thought. This type of thinking produced an image of an unapproachable God with emanations that came from him. Later Aristotle influenced Thomas Aquinas who saw everything as part of created order. They in turn saw the church as an institution that replaced one's relationship with God. All of this influence was taught in seminaries, and even men like Jonathan Edwards believed it was blasphemous to consider a God who actually engages in a back and forth relationship with people. However, if you go back to our Jewish roots, you will rediscover a God who is passionately engaged with men (Even the sacrifices asked for the people to participate with God. It was about reconciliation). Indeed, that is His primary motivation--relationship.
Fortunately, we are seeing many new Messianic teachers of late who are teaching Christians how to see Jesus through Jewish eyes. Often this helps us replace our thinking of God as One who desires to love us rather than a God who desires to be worshiped only (Greek thinking; Calvinism).
Certainly, this is not against anything Greek! What I am saying, however, is that God established a people in the Old Testament. He selected them and taught them about who He was. This was how God Self-identified. When we lost touch with our Jewish roots after the first century, we also lost this understanding--an understanding that God desires a two-way relationship with His people. Of course this is a simplistic account (but that's all I can do here).
Blessings!
Lori
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#9
Posted 30 September 2012 - 03:07 PM
#10
Posted 07 October 2012 - 10:34 PM
I have just recently re dedicated my life to christ and I have this longing to know Him.....thing is I am not even sure if my longing is enough. The better part of my days I don't even feel Him close, I don't experience that joy that comes from communion. I don't know what to do. I really am getting frustrated. Must I leave my job and just focus on Him. I really need Him but I seem to be doing something wrong.
Please help me.
#11
Posted 08 October 2012 - 08:08 AM
The best book for your soul is God`s word, and that is where it would do well for you to spend time. Tozer`s "Knowledge of the Holy" is a great read to understand just who you have turned your life over to.
May God bless your efforts. He will, I have no doubt at all that you are about to start a wonderful jouney with the Lord.
Charlie
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#12
Posted 08 October 2012 - 08:33 AM
"Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
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#13
Posted 08 October 2012 - 08:40 AM
I am so so encouraged! Not relying on my feelings is definitely something I need to work on. It is a walk of faith right? And the just must live by faith.
I would also cultivate the habit of waiting on Him irrespective of my feelings. Becos most times when I don't feel Him I just leave. But now I'll ensure I remain in the place of prayer and devotion even if I don't feel Him.
Its a gradual process and faithful is He that has began this work in me. He would complete it also.
Thank you so much again. Do keep me in your prayers.
God Bless!
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#14
Posted 08 October 2012 - 09:20 AM
There is wisdom in what Thinker wrote to you and I urge you to look it over closely. Also., I urge you to find a good, Bible based church, and become part of it ASAP. Some churches have "small groups" that help one another and study the Word in a more intimate setting than a whole congregational meeting. Choose the church carefully and don`t be afraid to look around at churches not of your previous denomination. You are not looking to learn more about a particular denomination, you are looking to deepen your relationship with the Lord of the universe. It really is all about a personal relationship with the Lord......He already knows all about you, now it`s your turn to know Him on a more personal basis.
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#15
Posted 08 October 2012 - 01:24 PM
I hope you feel encouraged by the responses you've received - don't give up seeking after the Lord in His Word, and through prayer, and through worship and study with other followers of Christ.
In Christ,
Dave
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#16
Posted 08 October 2012 - 04:09 PM
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#17
Posted 09 October 2012 - 11:54 PM
I have a ? Though,please do indulge me, I am still a child.
How does one sustain seeking - for me its like my heart and head wants to know God, I want the desires of my heart to be to Him alone. But often times, I find myself distracted. Like I find it difficult to train my mind to be focused on Him. Even when I am praying, I get so easily distracted.
I am struggling and that is what bothers me, devotion and communion seems to b a huge struggle. Is that normal? Or is there something I must do?
#18
Posted 14 October 2012 - 02:42 PM
What stood out for me as I read your last question was your statement, "I am still a child." Jesus told His disciples that it required "child-like" faith to apprehend God (Mark 10:14-15). How then would a child approach God? He would seek God eagerly expecting a warm reception. In addition, a child would seek God in ways that he would find enjoyable. Perhaps you should do the same. For example, I LOVE to spend time with Jesus because He loves to spend time with me doing things I love. He talks to me, He laughs with me and He comforts me when I'm sad.
It took me a long time to be able to hear Him though. When I first got saved, I forced myself to read two chapters of Scripture every morning--one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament. In addition, I went on daily walks and looked for evidences of God's personality in the things He created. For example, there is such detail and humor in nature. That told me that He is creative and fun. Every day I learned more about God simply by looking for Him. What was interesting, is that He often met me on those walks in wondrous ways. These were small unexpected miracles that I KNEW could only come from Him. Later I got Baptized with the Holy Spirit and I developed a spiritual ear--I became able to hear His voice.
I wonder then, what excites you? God designed you to love certain things, and He will meet you in those things if you will look for Him. I promise you this, if you don't give up you'll find out that God is not boring!! In fact He is more exciting than anything on earth! Plus He loves you so much. I'll be praying for you.
Blessings,
Lori
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#19
Posted 16 October 2012 - 05:44 AM
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#20
Posted 27 October 2012 - 07:13 AM