Ready for a word from God? Good! Let's read Isaiah 44:9-23. When you read about idols here don't just think of the kind that you'd see in an Indiana Jones movie. The Bible says that greed is idolatry. America has more idols than the whole continent of Africa. What are you hearing from God in these verses?
I hear the foolishness of centering my life around anything man-made or that is less than the Creator of all things. I like a lot of things--football, electronics, water sports, my house, movies, good food, stylish clothes, browsing the web on my phone--and I enjoy them! But I don't want to live my life for them. I don't want my pursuit of those things to be the driving focus of my life. That would be a sad waste of a life.
But there's something else I hear that is really what speaks to my heart today:
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath! Burst into song . . . (v. 22-23)
What I hear is the joy and celebration that God wants to fill my life with because of his grace and forgiveness for the many ways I stumble and fall short. Repenting of things I need to change and seeking God's forgiveness and power to go his way instead is an exhilarating feeling. I know I'm forgiven. I know he has cleared the skies of my life and chased away the clouds and I celebrate taking in the warm sunshine of his love! And it's good to let myself feel it--to sing, to shout, to dance, to laugh! Don't hold back. It's time for a God party! And I can have one all by myself and I can have another one later with my Growth Group.
God, you are so good! You are awesome, and I thank you for your goodness to me! I celebrate today in your salvation of my life and my future! Nothing can bring me down. Nothing will steal my joy because I won't let it! I'm trading in my sorrow for the joy of the Lord!
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I love the idea of a God party. I used to crank the tunes and sing at the top of my lungs and dance around the house praising God and worshiping Him. I would always end up in tears of joy and feeling so loved by His presence. I haven't done that in years. I have placed God on the back burner because i know he is always there and often i neglect Him. Dear Lord help me to keep you in my day, in my heart. I love you but I need to show you more not just expect you to know. Forgive me for being so focused on the things of this world and help me focus on you. Iam off to have a praise party
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris for doing this. I look forward to all of the messages you post. I think this is important and I am so glad God placed you in the path of my life.
ReplyDeleteWe sang a song at Freedom Fellowship tonight that was a God Party song........
ReplyDelete"I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned,
In awe of the One who gave it all,
I'll stand my soul Lord to you surrender,
All I am is yours!"
I dare you to sing that song and not get excited.
your friend, Terry
Don't guilt yourself about not celebrating, just celebrate! Enjoy God today! Thanks for your posts.
ReplyDelete