We all have a past....a "BC" -- Before Christ. In Romans 9, Paul calls himself "the worst of sinners". He did do some pretty awful things. But, then, so did I. And you. People talk about how this person or that is "good" versus how evil so-and-so was/is. Well, frankly, without the shed blood of Jesus covering us...we are all just a stinking rotten bunch of unholy Hell's angels. Not a one of us -- I don't care how many "good things" you do -- not a one of us deserve mercy from God.
But, God is Mercy. He is full of mercy and grace and love. Praise God for it, too! That mercy is unwarranted and freely offered...but it isn't free. It cost Jesus a great deal. And, it will cost you and I as well. The cost to us is surrender. The cost to us to commitment. The cost to us is intimacy with Him as His Bride.
Are you willing to pay the price?
There are areas in my life where I have desired to develop as the development of them would bring me into closer intimacy with God. Disciplines such as prayer, interecession, fasting, silence/solitude...these have been disciplines I've ached in my spirit to develop but have failed. I won't give up trying.
Some years back a Pastor loaned me his copy of the Autobiography of George Muller. My response to that book was...and still is...I want to be like that! Mr. Muller was a Prayer Warrior with a faith in God's provision that is awe inspiring. More recently I learned of another Prayer Warrior -- Rees Howells. I want to read the biography of his life -- Intercessor. I found an audible recording of it online today but I also want the book. These are men who blazed the trail and set examples to follow. Forget your sports or hollywood idols -- check out Men of Faith who's lives set examples of what we can be -- how we should be in relation with our Savior.
Today's Reading: Matt 9; Gen 9; Rom 9; 1 Tim 1; Job 9; Ps 9; Prv 9; Jsh 9; Isa 9; Acts 9
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