#yourjoy

For the professing Disciple of Christ.

Thought, what if we didn't have all the options we have today? Technology, entertainment, and ect ... What if the only choice of entertainment was a watching paint dry? So the two choices are either seek entertainment in watching paint dry, or seek God's presence which would we choose? Keep in mind we're still in a fallen world. Would it be easier to choose God then? Easier than it is now? The more Iattemptto seek God's presence the more I see how often I choose anything else but him. I mean if you don't have this struggle read no more, unless you want to read for yourentertainment:d

I'm not exactly wealthy, and some would even say I'm poor. In a consumer capitalistic society I don't have much. Yet I find myself often straying in the choices I make on a daily basis. Take for example I can go home on any given day, and choose to read the word or watch a movie, sleep, go on facebook ect ... I don't have game consoles, or internet absent of my smart phone. But it's so, so, so easy to say in my heart, "I know I could spend time praying, or reading the word, but I'm tired and I just want to lobotomize myself with some entertainment.", or worse, "Gahhh! I don't have internet! I wish I could afford it!" The first being unsatisfied with seeking God's presence the latter being unsatisfied with his provision.

When these moments occur the Spirit moves to point out my sin. Often times I find myself Quenching the spirit instead of choosing to Honor God. I find it hard to believe that if I had even less than thelittleI have that the situation wouldn't be the same. I do suppose it's easier to hear the Spirit speak when there are less distractions. It makes the ol' Sunday school lessons of Israelite's choosing Idols over God much closer to home. God's working into my heart the meaning of Philippians 4:8, and I'm wrestling with what the Spirit reveals, my Heart.

To those who would call themselves Disciples of Jesus.

There's an article by Jeff Vanderstelt: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/brothers-live-a-visible-exemplary-everyday-life that expresses the need for Pastors to see Pastoral mission as more than a Paycheck, but a calling. To see the hypocrisy in their preaching when they tell their flock to serve, be apart of small groups, or preach the gospel. This article really stirred up the fire in me. I had a long response all typed out, and before I sent it God saw fit to erase everything I had written. So I'm writing what I think the Spirit has given me to write.

This article puts a heavy burden on Pastors to do their job, but to not see it as their job, an to protect no portion of their lives as their own as we're all called to forfeit our lives. However as I read the article that very truth of being called to forfeit ones life is a must for all who would call themselves a follower of Christ. It's not my standards, but God's. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." This is a continual challenge in my life as I think I've forfeited everything the Spirit moves, and brings up another aspect that I'm enslaved to. Another part of this world that I find myself so attached to, Per Jesus, "Forwhat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Orwhat shall a man give in return for his soul?"

So what does the article, and my personal conviction have to do with anything? Everything. If we who call ourselves Christian live for our own sake, purpose, desires, goals, and insert any other idol you can name, we live our lives in vain. We're missing the point. Jesus put it pretty plainly when he told us all to take up our crosses, and to lose our lives forHissake. He didn't say take up your cross, and then go onlivingforYour ownsake. We live for his purpose, desires, and goals.

One responses as to why one's walk with God has been shallow, or lacking has been the lack of support from Pastors, or the church Community. I myself am extremely guilty of making this statement, and using it as a crutch so that I don't have to walk with God. This is not to say it's not the communities responsibility to live in fellowship, and by now means does this excuse your pastor for the lack of submission to God's word in whole. But it's up to us as individuals to take up our own Crosses, and not our Job to point out the lack of another's denial to self.

The failure around us all should spark the Spirit in each of us to move! To love, and to reach out for those who are suffering, and are weak in their walk. Remember Paul's words, "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." As time goes by I'm more, and more convinced that when it comes to the struggles of our brothers and sisters we're all called to help bear one another's burdens. We won't even have time to point out one other's flaws because we're too busy loving on one another to even notice. Paul's words also help point out to the fact that we should all be more concerned with our lack of sanctification then our brothers' (Galations 6:2).

Consider what implications this would have on your life as a whole.