There are times when it feels like you are being pressed in from all sides; under total attack. The answer is not to try and fight back against those things, but to press into God. He is the overcomer; He is the victorious one. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Pressure is going to happen, are you going to get depressed and deflated, or are you going to get compressed and refined?
Be encouraged and be blessed.
I beg for God’s forgiveness, when I have none to give. I ask God to love me, while I only love myself. I ask God to bail me out so I can go back to doing what got me in trouble. I hope to be judged by a merciful God, while I scrutinize other people’s behavior. I call myself a Christian, but…I don’t look anything like Christ.
If Jesus is sitting on the throne of my heart, and Lord of my life, what does that mean? That makes Him my King and Master, and I would be His servant. If He is Master, but I do whatever I want, it either makes Him a horrible leader, or He is not my master. Jesus said that I can choose to submit myself to the master of my choice: God or Satan. God is selfless; Satan is self-serving. If my behavior is self-serving, which one would most likely be my master?
self-pleasing, self-serving, self-promoting, self-confident,
self-centered, self-righteous, selfish,
independent, inefficient, inconsistent, inconsiderate, incompetent, incapable, incomplete, impolite, impatient,
unconvinced, unconfident, undisciplined, unreliable, unproductive, unsuccessful, unaccomplished, unfulfilled, undirected, uncontrolled, uncooperative, uncharitable, unpredictable, unstable, unneeded, unthankful, unthoughtful, untruthful, unfaithful, unfruitful, unforgiving, unforgetting, unremorseful, uncaring, unjust, ungodly,
disregarding, degrading, disgracing, disguising, disgusting, disturbing, disappointing, disrespectful, demeaning, dysfunctional, distracted, distant, destructive, defensive, divorced, detached, depleted, deficient, deceiver, deceived, deranged, diminished,
compromised, conditional, crude, coward, complaining,
joyless, loveless, stressed, purposeless,
random, rundown, overrated, overpaid,
letdown, failure, sinful, quitter,
lazy, lustful, slothful, fearful, afraid,
fake, hypocrite, liar, hidden, monster,
misled, misleading, manipulative, abusive,
offensive, obnoxious, hateful, spiteful, rude,
annoying, revolting, wrong,
arrogant, pompous, obtrusive, avoidant,
the same, stingy, worldly, lover of money,
addict, nasty, obstructive, rejecting.
a man of God,
loved, saved, healed, blessed, blessing,
forgiven, forgiving, giving, loving,
understanding, confirming, enduring, receiving, welcoming,
caring, encouraging, helping, hard working,
supporting, intimate, honest, husband,
thankful, thoughtful, truthful, faithful,
steward, successful, respectful, peaceful,
joyful, insightful, worshipful, prayerful, merciful, father,
wise, problem solver, example, patient, mentor, teacher, student,
diligent, perseverant, consistent, efficient, obedient, servant,
dedicated, detailed, self-controlled, spirit-led, established,
whole, holy, righteous (not of my own, but that of Christ),
clean, compassionate, considerate, creative, artist,
real, different, just, generous, gentle, genuine, good, friend,
a light, listener, loveable, leader, on fire, excited,
passionate, pleasant, fun, funny, full, complete,
selfless, grateful, unselfish, tactful, fearless,
confident, crazy, silly, constant, dorky, weird,
defined, knowledgeable, godly, gracious, humble,
sacrificing, honorable, reliable, dependable, true,
outlet, musician, simple, smooth, complex,
intricate, uplifting, unworldly, connected, free,
Spirit-filled, prophetic, prolific, pursuant, predictable,
consistent, capable, motivated, graduated, joyous,
and an all around chillin’, great guy.
oh wait, there’s some more:
resourceful, constructive, disciplined, disciple, underpaid, uncompromised, unconditional, and convinced.
God is calling His people to be worshippers. He is looking for those who would forsake all else to follow after Him. It is not about where you go to church, or how many times a day that you offer up prayers, but about a heart that seeks after God and wants to be intimate. God has met the church where it was, continuing to call it up. We must not be satisfied with a relationship that our parents had or their parents before them. This is a whole new level that is calling for a whole new intimacy. Will you press in farther; will you answer the call?
When God calls you to step out with nothing, it is to give Him the opportunity to do and to be everything.
