7/14/97 Time With Him
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Time with the Father.
There is no way about it. Without Him, we are nothing. With Him, "we can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us."
How many find themselves being Martha, when it is Mary who "has found a good thing"? As a pastor, I have fallen into the pitfalls of being there for everyone. I am slowly digging out, learning to walk. I confess I would think of being in full-time from the day of my salvation, thinking that I would have all kinds of time with Him. Becoming a full-time servant has changed that somewhat. I wanted to do everything.
I used to think that a pastor had plenty of time for God. I realize some do. I also am watching a daily schedule shape prayer around categories. I wanted to spend time with Jesus. That was it. Conveying His love to others.
Yesterday was a great service; new people, beautiful worship, a message on revival and the issues it brings, and a long time of ministry. God just did it perfect. And He did it without me!!!
Yes, I was there. Yes, I ministered. No, it was a different agenda than mine. And I felt the power and the presence of Him, again, in that way, where I feel helpless. Once again I felt the newness, the longing for His presence. I am certain much of it is happening to others as well. I believe we are feeling the ground swell of a great move of God. Why? Unsaved people are coming to church without being asked, unsaved people are turning to believers, and the believers are feeling like they can't do anything without the Father (praise GOD!!!).
I admit, I am missing my Father. When I became a believer, I spent 6 hours a day, just in the Word. He was all I had. Over the years, familiarity has reduced that time down.
(Come on, help me, have any of you done this???) I became a "professional Christian." (I am not talking about full-time servants, though many have fallen into this boat.) We have all the right words, are able to get through on what they know, are able to help others. But, only they know that something is missing. What is missing is that time alone with Him. For instance, what you pray in church, or over a friend is great, but its also often guarded. Its not the prayer you will prayer in the quiet of your room. Its usually not the same cry for help for a lurking stronghold or a cry about being rejected.
Time with the Father. Maybe, my dad's illness has colored me. For as I think about the Father, I know He is probably feeling the same way. Wanting to spend time with me. Sure I call Him daily, spending time with Him, but I am realizing even as I write, how much more I want to, need to, not because I have to.
God is moving on me. I see Him moving on others in our church and other churches as well. Yesterday morning, I went to church at 6:30 to pray(make sure its clean, check the chairs, etc...). At 7:15, 2 other believers showed up. (Service starts at 10, school at 9). Before 8, there was 5 of us. Before 9, there was about 20. People wanting to be in the presence of God. Why??? We have all missed our time with God. I do not believe there is anyone on this list, who will say, "I spend enough time with God."
What would happen if those who spend 10 minutes, spend an hour; those who spend an hour spend 2 hours? How about if we shuffled our schedules to accomodate God and really gave Him our Sundays? For us Sundays in church, have been about 7 hours(2 services). But the real question is, "would we change, would our cities undergo radical change???"
Tina, my wife, is a bear about her quiet time. She is a Berean, notebooks, Bible. She has every prayer log from the day she was saved. She will not hand over her first hour, her first fruits. She often has worked 10PM to 6AM, and will still wake up to that time with DAD. I often think of that type of commitment. Those of us who are married, may remember days, where we would move heaven and earth to spend time with our prospective spouse. Question: Do you do that for God? Maybe you feel you did and He let you down. I know God doesn't let us down.
So why don't I find all the time?
Today, as you meditate on this, remember God loves you and He is waiting for you to come to Him. Not just a bless me prayer, bless the spouse, the kids and the dog. SPEND TIME WITH HIM. Call upon Him, meditate upon His Word, do something extra special with Him and see the blessings begin to flow. The areas that have been dry, perhaps lost areas of peace, see them recover.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
For more information on this ministry or to receive our newsletter
please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
 |
 |
 |