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Pastoral Pondering: What will you give up for a life with God? |
In Genesis 22, God tells
us a story about his testing of Abraham’s faith — and what a test it
was! God wanted to see if Abraham was as committed to him as he
claimed. And as Abraham and his son Isaac walked up Mount Moriah,
Isaac asked, “Dad, I see that we have the wood and the fire, but
where’s the lamb for the sacrifice?”
Today, I hear Isaac’s question coming to you and me as God asks, “I
see your zeal, your spiritual gifts and your 24/7 life. But what are
you willing to sacrifice for me? Will you lay your very lives on the
altar and give me all of who you are?”
In the Old Testament God asked his friend Jeremiah to write a
letter to a group of exiled Jews living in Babylon. Out of a desire
to remind these discouraged folks that even in difficult times God’s
love for them remained, Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 29: “For I know
the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In these days when you
pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me
when you seek me.”
Today I hear Jeremiah’s hope-filled words coming to you and me as
God asks: “I see all your plans and dreams. I see all your hopes and
purposes. I see all your goals and desires. Will you invite me into
these precious parts of who you are? Will you allow me to mold them
around my heart and my will?”
In Joshua 1, as Joshua was about to lead the nation of Israel out
of the Negev Desert and into the promised land of Canaan, God spoke
some incredible words of challenge and focus meant to strengthen
Joshua with his power.
Joshua wrote, “Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws
Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them and you will be
successful in everything you do. Study the Book of the Law
continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey
all that is written in it. I command you — be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.”
Today I hear God’s words to Joshua coming to you and me saying:
“Proceed without fear! I do not call the equipped, I equip the
called. Are you willing to let your callings be born out of your
relationship with me? Are you hungry to discover my heart for you as
revealed in the Bible? Are you ready to uncover my love for you in
godly relationships and in the nurturing strength of a faith
community? Press into me and you will find success in your life.”
Gregg Lamm is pastor of second street
community church. |
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From
Sept. 15, 2007,
Newberg Graphic
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