Lots to Think On

S, O, & A: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Ouch. 

I was wondering why today was so hard, such a struggle. I let myself get distracted by the shiny attractiveness of worldly things. And I know, personally, from my experiences that those verses are SO accurate! They're my day in a prophetic nutshell. But when I read them this morning, while distracted by worldly things, they didn't sink into my heart. Didn't even make a dent. 

So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  (1 John 2:21-23) 

These verses made me think about how things I thoughtlessly do might deny the Christ. And how it seems like there are plenty religious folk in my history who profess Christ with their lips, but deny them with their lives. 

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.  (1 John 2:28 NLT)

This made me think of "I Can Only Imagine":

I can only imagine 

What it will be like 

When I walk 

By your side 

I can only imagine 

What my eyes will see 

When your face 

Is before me 

I can only imagine 

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel 

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still 

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall 

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all 

I can only imagine 

I can only imagine 

When that day comes 

And I find myself 

Standing in the Son 

I can only imagine 

When all I will do 

Is forever 

Forever worship You 

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel 

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still 

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall 

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all 

I can only imagine 

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

When all I will do 

Is forever, forever worship you

When I finally come into the presence of my Jesus, I think I'll run to Him. Flat-out. Holding my breath . . . until I burst out laughing and weeping all mixed together when I finally reach Him. And He'll be cool with that. :-) 

I have my crazy days . . . where I walk without Christ in the world. But when I turn and throw my all into Him, the joy and peace and love and buckets of goodness are nearly more than I can physically bear. And I don't feel like I should abase myself before Him--but rather jump and shout, laugh and sing, filled with incredible HIM-ness.

God. Is. Good. :-)

P: Dearest and definitely Most Amazing Father. I love you! :-) I will praise you my whole life through for Jesus, and for my rebirth. For the sunrise of joy in my life. Please--keep the spirits of confusion and weariness and worldly fascination FAR, far from me. Help me spot them miles off, and press closer to you. 

Give me words to pray. Give me a new song to sing. I just want to rejoice and praise you all the day long, and in my dreams, too. In Jesus' most loving and fulfilling name, amen. :-)