gladitudes

1 John 2:3-6

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

I think this passage is pretty self-explanatory, so I don’t know how much reflection I need to provide. It’s just really convicting for me.

The one thing I’ll say is this. I think it is possible to be saved, but not really know God. God himself and a relationship with Him is the far and wide best thing that exists and being given Him is the ultimate blessing that humans can receive. Not knowing our Almighty God when it’s offered to us, is an epic fail on our part. In a sense, too, it blocks us from truly enjoying anything else God blesses us with.

How do we get to know God? Well, we start by obeying Him…

The past months have been challenging in my life. For a variety of reasons, it’s been to tough to stay encouraged and motivated to do what’s right. There’s been a bit of soul-searching to figure out what’s going on.

I read these verses this morning and think they shed some light on stuff.

Psalm 89:15-17

“Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD.
16 They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness.
17 You are their glorious strength. Our power is based on your favor.”

The idea here is that when we respond to the call to worship the LORD–when we WORSHIP Him, there is happiness and strength. In light of my experience, this resounds as true, but I often let my circumstances eclipse this truth.

I heard a message by John Piper a couple months ago that talked about (more or less) worship being the key to true mental health. How true that is. When our focus is set completely on ourselves, it’s hard not to get stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, confused, etc. because all we can see is ourselves: our needs, our problems, our strength (or lack thereof)… you get the idea. When we’re willing to let our focus shift off of ourselves and on to our glorious and merciful God whose loving-kindness never fails, whose power never ends, and whose wisdom is infinite… When we do this, we find freedom. It’s true freedom, though, which is not doing whatever we want, but rather being liberated from our own spiritual or moral to-do lists because we’re trusting God to take care of our needs.

Yeah, so it’s good here I think.

(For a little related goodness check out: Hebrews 1:9)

I had a good conversation with a dear friend of mine last night about God and His interest in our hearts over the outside appearances that we put on. I read this today and really loved the image it gives.

Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. ³⁰Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

³¹“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. ³²For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.”

This parable makes it really clear: What counts before God isn’t the neat, tidy lives that we try to portray. The thing that counts is a heart that is humble and repentant before God. Jesus affirms the hearts of prostitutes and thieves here over the hearts of religious people whose lives look stellar.

This is convicting to me on a personal level because I know that oftentimes, my energy and my efforts are spent more on making my outside appearance good, than on having a humble and right heart before my God. It makes me think..

Be blessed today…

I read this verse this morning and want to share it.

Matthew 16:24-28 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Pretty straight forward: only one things is worth my life, and it is following Jesus.

Simply this:

Psalm 42:7-8

I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

There’s been a fair amount of stress in my life recently. I am so thankful that I can trust in and hope in a God that pours his love out on me everyday–even when I am unaware.