I love how God works. Inevitably, when I am reading a book, preparing a message, and studying for my Connection Group (small group), the topics seem to merge together. Right now, I studying to begin a new study with my group called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I am preparing a message from John 9:35-41 called "Open Your Heart". And I am reading a book called "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller. Here's a quote from Keller:
"Though [you] may be diligent in prayer, there is no wonder, awe, intimacy, or delight in [your] conversations with God. Think of three kinds of people - a business associate you don't really like, a friend you enjoy doing things with, and someone you are in love with, and who is in love with you. Your conversations with the business associate will be quite goal-oriented. You won't be interested in chitchat. With your friend you may open your heart about some of the problems you are having. But with your lover you will sense a strong impulse to speak about what you find beautiful about him or her."
What does your prayer life look like? This is a haunting question that deserves an honest answer! God doesn't want your empty words... he wants your heart!
3.22.2010
3.09.2010
Unreal Expectations
I woke up this morning with a very weird thought: "Can you imagine if you could only be accepted to a health club if you met the following criteria - you were completely healthy, with low body-fat, a muscular frame and no injuries or disease?" I immediately thought, "If you met this criteria, you don't need to join the health club!"
I have no idea why I was thinking about this. I don't know what my dream was. I did wake up thinking about my message for this coming Sunday, and as I was going over the Scripture in my mind (John 9:13-23) I thought about how the Jews and Pharisees had created a criteria to be accepted into the synagogue (the church). Have we done the same thing? Do we expect people to live up to unreal expectations of perfection in order for them to join our group, our church, even the Kingdom of God?
Let me state this plainly... if you meet the criteria of perfection, you don't need Jesus! In fact, the offense of the Gospel is that spiritually, you are unhealthy, injured by your past and diseased with the sin in your life. You need Jesus! I beg you, don't have unreal expectations for people to join our group or our church or the Kingdom. Let's love imperfect people into the Kingdom of God - I wouldn't be here if someone didn't do that for me.
I have no idea why I was thinking about this. I don't know what my dream was. I did wake up thinking about my message for this coming Sunday, and as I was going over the Scripture in my mind (John 9:13-23) I thought about how the Jews and Pharisees had created a criteria to be accepted into the synagogue (the church). Have we done the same thing? Do we expect people to live up to unreal expectations of perfection in order for them to join our group, our church, even the Kingdom of God?
Let me state this plainly... if you meet the criteria of perfection, you don't need Jesus! In fact, the offense of the Gospel is that spiritually, you are unhealthy, injured by your past and diseased with the sin in your life. You need Jesus! I beg you, don't have unreal expectations for people to join our group or our church or the Kingdom. Let's love imperfect people into the Kingdom of God - I wouldn't be here if someone didn't do that for me.
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