A Player or Sold Out Lover?
James 4:5-10 (MSG) You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “He’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what He gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
There's an entire devotion in those scriptures. Meditate on them and ask yourself the question, "Am I cheating on God?" Let's think about it for a moment. You have a beloved lover of your soul, a jealous God who paid the ultimate price with His own shed blood, just to have an intimate relationship with YOU! That's a truth you know through His Word yet... what occupies your thoughts and time? Knowing that this Savior longs to be with you and desires that you delve into the Bible, which was written to give you insight into His heart and ammunition against the enemy... yet... who or what possesses your attention?
Is there something you enjoy doing that makes your heart race more than the thought of spending time in the Secret Place of His presence? What makes you tick and brings you joy? There's nothing wrong with enjoying life and having some fun, but when that is more enjoyable and important than your relationship with Jesus, it's time to repent and get back on track.
He desires to make us firebrands... shining lights that reflect His glory and love to the world around us. When our time is filled with satisfying our own pleasures and desires, it only serves to bring temporary fulfillment to our flesh and doesn't benefit anyone else.
When we become sold out lovers of our King, the pleasure and fulfillment we experience in His presence will ignite the souls around us. We become carriers of His power and glory and it encompasses healing for the sick and broken. Obeying and pleasing Him then becomes our greatest pleasure. That's the place where our roots become well nourished and begin to run deep. Our lives then produce sweet tasting fruit that brings nourishment to others and blesses the heart of God.
Where is true fulfillment found? In the presence of God and the center of His will! It's time to stop playing the field and get serious!
John 15:5 (ESV) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Hebrews 1:7 (NLT) Regarding the angels, He says, “He sends His angels like the winds, His servants like flames of fire.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (MSG) Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like like Him.
John 5:32-35 (NLT) But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true.Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
