Set a Fire Down in My Soul

     As you can tell from the title of my previous post, this song has been on my heart a lot lately. The lyrics keep ringing over and over again in my mind, "Set a fire down in my soul, that I can't contain and I can't control. I want more of you, God." I am a strong believer in the power of music. I believe that music speaks what words can't express. I also believe, with all my heart, that God speaks to us through music. God has used this song to speak to me this week. Not only did He give me a fresh desire for "more" of Him, but He also "set a fire" in my soul. In fact, the simple word "fire" has surrounded me this week. I've seen it in scripture. I've heard it in songs. I've even seen a few of my friends on Facebook refer to the "fire" in their own personal status. I usually take that as a sign that God is speaking, and I don't know exactly what message God is trying to get across... but I'm ready for the fire! Amazing things happen when the fire of God begins to spread.

Rebirthing.

Reawakening.

Revival.

Resoration.

Revolution.

Radical Living: I want MORE of YOU, God!

     I recently began reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and I have been overwhelmed by its power and truth. I just finished the chapter called "Profile of the Lukewarm". Prior to reading this chapter, I honestly did not see myself as a lukewarm Christian. However, Chan writes that "Lukewarm people call 'radical' what Jesus expected of all His followers." This quote really spoke to and convicted my heart. God expects me to live radically for Him. I suddenly became curious, what exactly does it mean to be radical? My search came up with three definitions.

1.) "arising from or going to a root or source; basic"

2.) "departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme"

 3.) "favoring or effecting fundamental, revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or  institutions."

    

     I was in absolute awe of God after reading these definitions. In order to live a radical life for Christ, I must first get back to the basics. This reminded me of Revelation 1:8 in which God says, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending." God is the source of all things. He was here before time began, he set the earth into motion. He set the stars in place; he counted every strand of hair on my head. He is the author and finisher of my faith. So, in order live radically I must first “arise” from Christ. Colossians 3:1 says, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above..." This brings me to my second point. In order to live a radical life for Christ, I must be set apart. James 1:21 says to "lay part" the things of the world and set our focus on God. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are a "chosen generation" and a "peculiar people". Some people may call living a radical life for Christ strange or extreme, but "strange" is exactly what God desires of us. He called us to be a peculiar people. He wants us to stand out from the crowd. The final step to becoming a radical follower of Christ is the ability to make a revolutionary change in the world. God created us each with a particular purpose in mind that only we can fulfill. That particular purpose is your revolutionary change. Romans 12:1-2 tells us how to fulfill our purpose, how to fulfill God’s will for our life. It says we must first surrender our lives to Christ as a living sacrifice. It then says we must not be conformed to the world, but be transformed. If you want to live a radical life for Christ, then Romans 12:1-2 should be your mission statement. It is one of those important verses to memorize. Write it down on a piece of notebook paper and hang it on the fridge, write it on a note card and stick on the dashboard of your car, write in on a post-it note and stick it to your bathroom mirror. Let the words of God sink in and minister to your soul. Let it be a reminder to you of the radical life you should be living daily for Christ.

     After reading these definitions and pondering on them for a while, I suddenly had a desire for more of God. I was no longer satisfied with my spiritual walk. Being "good enough" didn't seem good enough anymore. I wanted to live a radical life for Christ. With this newfound fire in my heart, God began to speak. He showed me exactly what it meant to be a radical follower of Him...

• Radical Christians don't just talk about visions, they make them reality.
• Radical Christians don't just talk about helping those in need; they willingly reach out a helping hand.
• Radical Christians don't just say they will pray for you, they drop to their knees at that very moment.
• Radical Christians don't just say what they believe, they live it daily.
• Radical Christians don't pray to be heard, they pray out of complete surrender to the omnipresent God.
• Radical Christians don't worship to be seen, they worship out of devotion to the Lord of all.
• Radical Christians don't skim over a few verses and call it bible study; they immerse themselves daily in the word of God.
• Radical Christians don't repent to be free of guilt; they repent as a means of purifying their hearts before entering the presence of a Holy God.
• Radical Christians don't second guess God, they trust fully in his plan for their lives.
• Radical Christians don't have a Plan B; they place their faith fully in the arms of an all-powerful God.
• Radical Christians don't offer God small parts of their lives; they present themselves as a living sacrifice, devoted to obeying the will of God.
• Radical Christians don't dwell in the past; they look to the future with hope in their eyes.
• Radical Christians don't give expecting to be rewarded; they give as a means of giving back to the One who gave them all.
• Radical Christians are not satisfied with complacency; they constantly thirst after more of God.
• Radical Christians are not afraid to stand up, speak out, and take action for their beliefs.
• Radical Christians carry their cross daily and follow God without hesitation, without looking back.
• Radical Christians are not perfect in any sense of the word, but they strive daily to please the only One who ever reached perfection.
• Radical Christians fail God on a daily basis, but when they stumble they don't let it get them down. They turn back to God, repent, learn from their mistakes, and keep pressing onward.
• Radical Christians humble themselves daily before the reverent God and live with the sole purpose of bringing Him glory.

Honest to God

     I downloaded a free Bible application onto my iPod yesterday, thinking it would be a simple "pocket bible" that I could carry with me every day. Once it had finished downloading I saw that it also came with many reading plans and daily devotions. So, I began browsing through the different devotions - trying to find one that best suited me. Finally I came to the Life Application Study Bible Devotion and God began to speak. The scripture reference was Psalm 6:6 which reads, "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears." I have read almost all of the Psalms, but I was unfamiliar with this one. However, I was completely captured by David’s honest humility before God. I highly recommend that before you continue reading this, please go read chapter 6. I hope it speaks to your heart as much as it did mine. Anyway, the devotion that accompanied the verse said,

"Pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with anger or despair because God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash outward acts or turning inward towards depression. But because we trust in our all-powerful God, we don't have to be victims of circumstance or be weighted down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God, and he will help you turn your attention from yourself to him and his mercy."

-Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion

     I was amazed after reading this; it spoke great truth to my heart. Here's what I got from it... God already knows everything there is to know about us, so why do we try to conceal the truth from Him? We need to pour ourselves out to Him like David did. There is no need to paint a pretty picture for God on the outside when He already knows deepest, darkest inner secrets. Cry out to God when you're sorrowful and scream out your frustrations to Him. Don't try to be someone you're not. God knows you (and loves you) just the way you are. Being a Christian means being in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You must get to know Him personally, as well as allow Him to know you personally. Don't hide from Him like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Open up to Him and let Him have control in your life. God is the closest friend you will ever have. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and He longs to be your crying shoulder. He is waiting patiently for you to cast all your cares on Him. Be honest to God and allow Him to minister in your life.

Perfectly Imperfect

     I am not perfect. Every day I fail God in one way or another - it is a simple Biblical truth. Romans 3:23 tells us "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." God saved my life four years ago and I still don't fully understand the depth of His love. I can't comprehend how a perfect God could love me despite my many imperfections, or how He could use my imperfections for His glory. But that is exactly what He does.

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21

     

     1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us that God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. This verse has proved true time after time in my life. God loves me and He chose me, with all my foolish imperfections, because he has a perfect plan for my life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:48 to "be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." My life will never be perfect on this side of Heaven, but while I'm here I can work through my imperfections towards the perfect plan God has for me. Hebrews 2:10 says that our salvation is made perfect through suffering, but Psalms 37:37 says that the lives of the upright will end in peace. Matthew 19:21 tells us that in order to be perfect (meaning: complete in various applications of labor, growth, mental, and moral character) we must follow Jesus and give to those in need. This form of perfection, the perfection that is only available through the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ, is how we will receive our treasure in Heaven.

     Many people have been mislead to believe that perfection means without fault or failure, but that is not always the case. For example, the Bible calls Noah a "perfect and just" man. If you have ever read the book of Genesis then you know that Noah was not without fault. Genesis 6:9 tells us that Noah was perfect in that he "walked with God." In the same way God tells Abraham in chapter 17 to "walk before me and be thou perfect". Abraham and Noah were imperfect people, but because they chose to walk with God, they were made perfect and were able to fulfill God's plan for their lives. God wants to work in your life the same way He did in Noah and Abraham's lives. Come to Him just as you are - perfectly imperfect. Surrender you life to Christ and watch as He transforms your imperfections into perfect vessels that can be used for His glory.