Funny name for the title of this post, huh??? Maybe it is. But for me, the words entitled above are words I hear very frequently from my son, Mathis age 3...It seems that no matter how often his tummy says that he is full, before to long he is going to be "hun-ga-ry" again.
I mention this for no other reason than to examine 2 things. First, my response and second, his persistence.
Everytime I hear these words my immediate, initial response to feed the boy so he does not starve to death...I am always inclined to respond to my son's petition that he is hungry and he knows that I can help meet his needs. For short measure, if I do not respond timely enough, he comes back again and again until I either get him something to eat or say no.
Is this not a decent picture of the relationship that I need to have with my Heavenly Father? He tells us in His scriptures that he is inclined to hear us and respond to our petitions for help, so why would He not respond to our petitions for satisfaction of our hunger...Hunger, that is, for Him. Beyond voicing our requests that we are indeed hungry, we need to be persistent with this petition. I think God uniquely rejoices over those of His children that keep coming and coming to Him with a hungry heart.
Father, I am hun-ga-ry for You and You alone.
SDG
JW
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thristy hearts are awakened by God
"Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God in their lives." - A. W. Tozer
If we are willing to study Christian history, we will see that there have been many that have come before us that can be and sought to be defined and remembered by one thing and one thing alone: their hearts were thirsty for God. These men and women are giants in our historical faith and they speak to us with ancient words that are still ever true.
But...have you ever wondered what made these men and women thirst for God in ways that boggle our modern American theological minds. Tozer answers this question: their hearts were awakened by a touch from God. A pure thirst for the eternal was given to them be the only Eternal being that could satisfy their Eternal desires. It should not seem to difficult to comprehend why the Eternal is deeply involved in the initiating of this thirst or desire that only He can fulfill? If He is the only one who can fulfill it is He not the one that would have to give it to us to start with? GRACE.
This is just like our God isn't it? Being gracious enough to us to know that those who thirst for something deeper than themselves are really thirsty for Him, even though they may not know it. So He comes down, touches the hearts of men, gives them thirst for Him and then directs the thirsts He has given to them back toward the source, Him.
Is this not the definition of grace? Getting something that I do not deserve from someone who has the authority to withhold it. For many, it may be enough that they know of a God who is willing to save. But how many are willing to pursue and know a truly gracious God that can satisfy their thirsts and desires to the deepest parts of their being.
In agreement with the ancients, may we have a thirst for more than the man-made stuff of this world. Man-made stuff always sounds good in the theoretical but habitually fails and falls flat on its face in reality. May we thirst for more of the God who provides the very thirst we need in order that we are able to receive the satisfaction that only He can provide and the satisfaction we desperately need.
Piper put it like this: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." He is the source of it all.
SDG,
JW
If we are willing to study Christian history, we will see that there have been many that have come before us that can be and sought to be defined and remembered by one thing and one thing alone: their hearts were thirsty for God. These men and women are giants in our historical faith and they speak to us with ancient words that are still ever true.
But...have you ever wondered what made these men and women thirst for God in ways that boggle our modern American theological minds. Tozer answers this question: their hearts were awakened by a touch from God. A pure thirst for the eternal was given to them be the only Eternal being that could satisfy their Eternal desires. It should not seem to difficult to comprehend why the Eternal is deeply involved in the initiating of this thirst or desire that only He can fulfill? If He is the only one who can fulfill it is He not the one that would have to give it to us to start with? GRACE.
This is just like our God isn't it? Being gracious enough to us to know that those who thirst for something deeper than themselves are really thirsty for Him, even though they may not know it. So He comes down, touches the hearts of men, gives them thirst for Him and then directs the thirsts He has given to them back toward the source, Him.
Is this not the definition of grace? Getting something that I do not deserve from someone who has the authority to withhold it. For many, it may be enough that they know of a God who is willing to save. But how many are willing to pursue and know a truly gracious God that can satisfy their thirsts and desires to the deepest parts of their being.
In agreement with the ancients, may we have a thirst for more than the man-made stuff of this world. Man-made stuff always sounds good in the theoretical but habitually fails and falls flat on its face in reality. May we thirst for more of the God who provides the very thirst we need in order that we are able to receive the satisfaction that only He can provide and the satisfaction we desperately need.
Piper put it like this: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." He is the source of it all.
SDG,
JW
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Lest we forget
As the first post of the new year, a quick thought reminding us that we need to take time to remember...Why do we need to make an effort to "remember"?? Easy, we quickly amd frequently forget...
I once read were Eldredge said that he has thought many times about creating and hanging a sign on the wall in front of this bed that reads "God exists"..Why?? Just in case he needs to be reminded of that foundational fact when he awakes one morning...Just in case he had forgotten all else.
As is seemingly natural for us, we remember all or most of the bad stuff that has occurred over the last 12 months...So as a result, we need to make extra effort to remember all the good that has occurred and thank God for the journey we are on...
Forgetfulness is one of the reasons we need to saturate our hearts and minds with the Word and with solid Biblical authors, writers, musicians or speakers.....David encouraged us to "hide" the Word within us, why? so we will not forget...
So, I encourage you to take some time before the first week of this year gets away to take some deliberate time to remember and thank God for all He has done or is doing in your life...But most of all, thank God and remember that He is with you wherever you go...
SDG
JW
I once read were Eldredge said that he has thought many times about creating and hanging a sign on the wall in front of this bed that reads "God exists"..Why?? Just in case he needs to be reminded of that foundational fact when he awakes one morning...Just in case he had forgotten all else.
As is seemingly natural for us, we remember all or most of the bad stuff that has occurred over the last 12 months...So as a result, we need to make extra effort to remember all the good that has occurred and thank God for the journey we are on...
Forgetfulness is one of the reasons we need to saturate our hearts and minds with the Word and with solid Biblical authors, writers, musicians or speakers.....David encouraged us to "hide" the Word within us, why? so we will not forget...
So, I encourage you to take some time before the first week of this year gets away to take some deliberate time to remember and thank God for all He has done or is doing in your life...But most of all, thank God and remember that He is with you wherever you go...
SDG
JW
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