Holy Longings

There is no truer test of the state of the soul, than its deepest longings and desires. Outward conduct may be restrained by fear, reputation, or habit. But longing true, inward, unforced longing reveals the condition of the heart. As a person longs in secret, so they truly are.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God's presence?" (Psalm 42:1-2) This is not casual interest. It is desperation. The deer in a drought-stricken wilderness, will not be distracted by secondary things it must have water or it will die. In the same way, the regenerate soul longs for Jesus. Not merely for blessings, not merely for relief, but for God Himself.

Longing for Jesus. Conversion is not the addition of religion to a busy life; it is the creation of new desires. The Spirit removes the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26-27) Wherever there is saving grace, holy longings are born.

Psalm 63:1 says, "O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water." Notice the intensity. Saving faith is not a cold mental assent to doctrine though doctrine is essential; it is a living hunger for the living Jesus.

The believer says, "Whom have I in Heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" (Psalm 73:25-26) This is the language of supreme affection. "On earth I desire no one besides You." Jesus is treasured above all competitors. When flesh fails, when earthly joys fade, when strength diminishes then God remains as "the strength of my heart and my portion forever!"

Examine yourself here. What do you most deeply desire? Wealth? Fame? Lust? Or Jesus? One of the surest evidences of regeneration is this: when stripped of everything else, the soul still says, "Give me Jesus!"

Longing for Heaven. The Christian is, in a profound sense, a stranger here in this wilderness world. He is a citizen of Heaven, living temporarily on earth (Philippians 3:20.) This poor world cannot satisfy the renewed heart. "Arise and depart; for this is not your rest, because it is polluted." (Micah 2:10)

Thus, believers groan for glory (Romans 8:23) They do not merely fear Hell; they long for Heaven. They yearn to see the face of the One they now know by faith. Heaven is precious, not because of golden streets, but because Jesus is there. When the heart whispers, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20), it reveals allegiance to another kingdom.

Whenever saving grace comes, it creates heavenly longings; desires which the world cannot understand. The saints crave Heaven, and thirst for the presence of God. Such longing marks them as strangers and pilgrims in this present world. "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!"

The righteous long for holy living, because God Himself authors those desires. What He intends to give, He first teaches us to crave. Spiritual desires are the buds of coming fruit. Do you long to conquer sin? That longing is evidence of spiritual life. Do you grieve your remaining corruption? That grief signals regeneration.

May your soul pant for Him. May your heart cry, "Whom have I in heaven but You?" May your deepest desire be Jesus now, Heaven soon, and holiness always.

The unconverted regret the consequences of sin, but they do not hate sin itself. The believer sighs to be free from sin altogether.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Proverbs 10:24 ... The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

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Standing Next to Me!!

 He is with you always!!

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Daniel 3:25 .... He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Isaiah 43:2 ... When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ❤

From Outsider to Heir

To many, “heir” sounds like a distant promise, something waiting for us once we reach heaven, but for the believer, being a joint heir means the family business is ours to walk in today. An heir is someone whose identity and resources are defined by their father, and an heir doesn’t just receive something later. They carry the Father’s authority and the weight of His name, and when the heir spoke, it was understood that the Father stood behind that word. You do not have to beg for access to God’s presence or His power. 

You have been given the keys to the kingdom, and being a joint heir with Christ means there is no tiered system in God’s family. You are not on the outside looking in. You share in the same Spirit and the same authority Jesus walked in, and you have been brought into His household, His mission, and His inheritance, not someday but right now. Outsider to heir, this is the identity you carry in Christ.

[Nichole and Jaime Northcraft]

Romans 8:16–17 ...  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ❤

Think on Good ~~~

Did you know your mind believes what you tell it? Even the Bible says as a man thinks so is He. (Proverbs 23:7)

Choose to think on GOOD things.

[Caroline Joy James]

Philippians 4:8 ... Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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Shrine of Mammon

Mark 10:21-22, "You lack only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me."

At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions.

You see what the defect was in this young man. He did not possess the faith which overcomes the world. He wished to unite two utterly irreconcilable things: the love of God, and the love of money. He wanted to serve two masters: God, and Mammon.

It was not open vice and profligacy that kept him from salvation. It was the more decent and reputable sin, of supreme attachment to worldly things. He could give up many sins, but he could not give up his besetting sin supreme regard for wealth. He could do many things, but he could not give up all to follow Jesus. He could give up open vice, but he could not deny himself and take up his cross. He had many good qualities, but he lacked one thing.

If open vice has slain its thousands, then worldliness has slain its tens of thousands!

Of all the false gods, the shrine of Mammon is most resorted to. It is from that idolatrous temple, that the broadest and most beaten path to the bottomless pit will be found.

Included in the crowd which press along that broad road that leads to destruction, are not only the blasphemous, the murderers, the liars and cheats, the proud, and the immoral. But also, those who follow things which are just, and honest, and true, and reputable. Yet they rise no higher than to be the worshipers of this sordid deity, money! Yes, even Mammon can boast of devotees who hate all that is vile, dishonorable and unjust.

In the broad road which leads to destruction, there is a path for the lovers of money as well as for the lovers of heinous sins!

[J. A. James]

Luke 16:13 ...  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

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Listen!!

 In the quiet, God is still speaking.

Can you hear Him?

                                                            word-of-encouragement.com

Psalm 46:10 ...  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Romans 10:7 ... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 10:27 ... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ❤

Abracadabra!

f salvation was wholly a matter of outward ordinances, then this would be easy enough, and hence men cling to a religion of ceremonies; for heart religion is troublesome, and the ungodly cannot endure it.

Ritualism is the most popular religion in the world, because it is all "Abracadabra!" Done in a minute nothing to think of nothing to care about, nothing to sorrow over. It is all a mere matter of external religious forms. The little that is needed of them can be done without thought, and they can go on in their sins as pleasantly as ever.

Next to that in popularity, is the religion of mere morality. "Yes, we know we do amiss, but we will amend. We will at once purge ourselves from everything which our fellowmen would consider criminal. Is not that enough?" Many hope that it is and live as if they felt sure it was.

But the religion of the Word of God is not so. It is, "Rend your hearts, and not your garments!" "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength!" This is too hard a demand for the wicked. And as for repentance and faith, the ungodly cannot enter upon such spiritual duties, for they have no desire for them. The carnal mind hates the mention of spiritual things.

This I take it, while it makes the Christian religion so solemn, throws us back upon one of its great first principles: that salvation must be of grace. For if it is necessary that my heart must be changed, I simply cannot change it. Shall a fountain purify itself? "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" That would be a very simple business, for skin and spots are external things; but how shall a man change his heart his very nature? Do you expect the Crabtree to change itself into a tree bearing sweet apples? It cannot be.

Salvation is the work of God. If ever it is done, then God must intervene. It is a fact that nature cannot rise above itself. Just so, no man by his own power, is able to rise above his sinful and depraved nature.  The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  We must be born from above, if ever we are to enter Heaven. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

John 3:7 ... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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Change of Thinking!!

In the Interlinear Greek New Testament, Mark 11:22 is properly translated "...Have faith from God," not "...Have faith in God." Similar translations have Jesus calling us to "...have the faith of God." But what does that even look like?

As New Covenant believers, this means resting in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. (Galatians 2:20) It's embracing what God believes to be true about each one of us. It's seeing things from the Lord's perspective and agreeing with Him about His Kingdom. This requires a change of outlook, and this is what "true repentance" is all about!

The Greek word for "repentance" (metanoia) means "a change of thinking." It's not about "re-penance!" (penance on steroids) It's not about self-abasement or proving our devotion to God by our religious performance! "Metanoia" is all about letting Holy Spirit change our way of thinking to embrace all Father has given us in Jesus and acting accordingly.

We are sons and daughters; we're the bride of Christ! It's time to live like it and live loved!!

[Stephen S.J. Hill]

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Acts 2:38 ...  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ❤

Until ...

 Pray. 

Not until God hears you, pray until you hear God!!

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1 Thessalonians 5:17 ... Pray without ceasing.

James 1:5 ... If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Jeremiah 33:3 ... Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ❤

Do Not Worry ~~~

The Lord knows all His people all their needs, and all their trials. He thinks upon them to bless, deliver and supply them. He keeps His eye upon them in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. He has them in His hand and will not loosen His hold.

He looks upon them always as His own 'treasured possession' objects of His eternal love, the purchase of His Son's blood, the temples of His Holy Spirit. They are precious in His sight!

He knows they are weak and fearful, and that they have many enemies. He teaches them to cast themselves and all their cares into His hands! And He has given them His promise that He will care for them.

It is a Father's care which He exercises.  It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care.

Therefore, all will be well with you only trust Him.

Believe that He cares for you this day. Carry all your concerns to Him, in the arms of faith! Leave all with Him, persuaded that He will manage all by His infinite wisdom, and bring all to a good outcome by His omnipotent power.

Cast all your cares upon Him as fast as they come in.

Do not worry about anything.

[James Smith]

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1 Peter 5:7 ...  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Psalm 55:22 ... Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ❤

You are Sons and Daughters!

YHWH sent us the Spirit of His Son because He desires that we know Him as Abba-Father (or, Daddy-God). He is NOT God-too-High-or-far-off-from-us but through His Son is “God with us”. 

And with Almighty YHWH, Creator of Heaven and Earth, not just FOR US but living WITH US as Abba-YHWH, can anything be too hard or impossible for us? (Ephesians 2:13; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 1:23; Romans 8:31; Mark 14:36) 

And since our Daddy-God is KING of the Universe, doesn’t that make each of us either a PRINCE or PRINCESS of the universe, as well?

[Tracie Justice]

Romans 8:15 ...  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6 ... And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ❤