“Listen! It’s
the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the
LORD!” Make a straight highway
through the wasteland for our God!
Fill in the valleys, level the mountains and hills, straighten the
curves and smooth out the rough places.
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all the people will see
it together. The LORD has spoken!”
Isaiah 40:3-5
How true it is of the human heart and mind. The heart and mind can be a wilderness of things, thoughts, concerns, wants, needs, pains, and so on. They can be a wasteland full of worry and useless thought. They can be valleys of self-pity and selfishness. They can have mountains and hills of hurt, failure and what we think and only see as “impossibility”. They can have snaking roads that lead us on self-exploration and activity but in the end lead nowhere. They can be full of rough spots that make life uncomfortable because of our unsettling outlook on life. In fact it so rough that we only pay attention to the bad ride instead of what God might have for us.
Notice the words "can be". They don't have to be.
The heart that never gives those things to the Lord to answer and heal will never reveal the glory of the LORD.
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) What is in your heart? What is in the heart of others around you? You can tell what is affecting their heart by what they say.
The reputation we give to others about the LORD will be dependent on the level of dependence we have in the LORD. The level of dependence we have in the LORD will gauge how much we love trust and reverent respect we have for the LORD. A heart without love, trust and reverence for the Lord is without peace, hope assurance and is lost in a wilderness of it’s own making. The life captive to such a heart has only set their affections on the things on the earth not on God above. A heart that sets its affections only the things of this life isn’t receptive to receive from God. A heart like this lives in the foolishness of the world and wonders why it is so easily crushed and harden by the things of this life. May God help them…. Seriously. I was once one of those people and only by God’s love and grace was I saved and I am empowered everyday not to go back to be one of those people. God help them. I feel for them.
“With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopeless confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.” Ephesians 4:17-19
David writes the very words of God, in his thoughts, “How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call him. Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. There many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, life up the light of your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more then in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:2-8
How long will people not turn to God to help them? How long will people who call themselves Christian turn God’s glory to shame?
Let me warn you in humility: Your actions matter. They matter more then you know.
Our dependence on God has far greater affects then anyone really knows. The tiniest actions good or bad affect others and how others perceive us as Christians and the LORD. Think of the sigh or someone rolling their eyes- how is that looked at by others. Think of a sincere smile and warm greetings that seeks nothing in return. Just think of what happens with an encouraging word in amongst many discouraging words.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows in the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit” 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit by allowing the things of this life and world to take a higher position over God in your life. God is to be highly respected and reverently feared. Our actions should show something about who God is in our lives. The only excuse we should have is “God is our excuse.”
“Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
How does one make a highway for the LORD in their heart? I have to put myself aside everyday. Some call this “picking up my cross or denying myself”.
Some might say, "Don't you feel like you are missing out? Don't you feel like you don't have any control of your life?"
"What am I missing out on? In the end, is what I miss out on really matter in the end? I could gain everything for selfish gain and leave nothing worth anything. My faith would be worthless. My legacy would mean nothing. We must ask ourselves have we allowed God charge of our lives to make a difference in other people's lives?" I throw pride and self ambition away to gain what God has to empower me to touch others for Him. I want people to see God's influence, glory and reputation in my life. Besides does anyone really have any control of their life? Think about it....
Everyday I pray and give God whatever is heavy on my heart, (this allows God's spirit an open channel to flow) which aligns my heart and mind so I can receive what God wants me to receive for that day, hour, moment. Often I spend several times throughout the day meditating, and studying and listening to what God is speaking to me and building upon in his word in my heart and understanding.
I see my actions matter and I can’t take any of them for granted. His Holy Spirit enriches my soul as I open myself to Him. I hope you see that all your actions matter to God.
I encourage you to spend time with God. Free up your mind and heart- making a highway for God. Spend time reading his word carefully. Asking for more heartfelt insight and looking more deeply at what God’s word really means to make you live it out. Continually seek the Lord throughout the day for direction and purpose. And trust God and trust what God has said in his word.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
No comments:
Post a Comment