Suspended Animation
In the older science fiction movies, it seemed someone was always stuffed into a tube sleeping. They were voyaging across the stars and were in a state of suspended animation - asleep to what was happening all around them.
I'm wondering today if there aren't people who feel that way about God - that He's there, but asleep or indifferent as we journey along in our life's voyage. While reading the Psalms today, I came across this picture of what happens when we awake to God.
Psalm 40:1-8 (Msg)
A David psalm
I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
[2] He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
[3] He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
[4] Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world's "sure thing,"
ignore what the world worships;
[5] The world's a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
[6] Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that's not what you're after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that's not what you're asking for.
You've opened my ears
so I can listen.
[7] So I answered, "I'm coming.
I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
[8] And I'm coming to the party
you're throwing for me."
That's when God's Word entered my life,
became part of my very being.
Don't you love that last part? "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me. And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me."
Consider this your invitation to that party.
Listen! Hear God call out your name. Then wake up and turn your back on the world's "sure thing" for treasure no moths, no rust, and no thieves can ever touch.
This world is filled with a God with love enough for all who will make His way theirs.
Sleepers - awake!
Grace!
David
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Changing Directions
It was really a neat sight to see all the schoolchildren lined up several deep along the fence at Valparaiso Elementary, all the cars lining the parking lot across the street, and people up and down Hwy 190 awaiting the visit of President Bush.
Today's paper carried the route in it's entirety, and so we were sure we'd get at least a glimpse.
But the presidential motorcade changed direction at the last minute, and we missed out. That's a shame.
Later this week, another big name may be headed our way - Hurricane Bonnie (with Charley not far behind). If she changed directions, no one here would mind at all.
Now in the first case, I could have moved to the route the motorcade took. There's only so many ways into Niceville. In the second case, I could vacate the area in advance of the hurricane's visit. I've got choices.
Just as my choices only matter prior to the president's or the hurricane's arrival, it's the choices you and I make today and tomorrow that will matter before Christ returns. We don't know the day or the hour he's coming either.
So how do we prepare?
Hebrews 10:23-25 (Msg)
Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. [24] Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, [25] not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
We hold onto His promises and find new ways to reach people with the love of God that is so special to us. And we are to spur each other on to greater service for God than ever before.
Why would anyone do that? Out of love for God and love for people.
We don't want anyone who's willing to make a choice to change directions from missing Christ's arrival in their lives.
Grace!
David
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
It was really a neat sight to see all the schoolchildren lined up several deep along the fence at Valparaiso Elementary, all the cars lining the parking lot across the street, and people up and down Hwy 190 awaiting the visit of President Bush.
Today's paper carried the route in it's entirety, and so we were sure we'd get at least a glimpse.
But the presidential motorcade changed direction at the last minute, and we missed out. That's a shame.
Later this week, another big name may be headed our way - Hurricane Bonnie (with Charley not far behind). If she changed directions, no one here would mind at all.
Now in the first case, I could have moved to the route the motorcade took. There's only so many ways into Niceville. In the second case, I could vacate the area in advance of the hurricane's visit. I've got choices.
Just as my choices only matter prior to the president's or the hurricane's arrival, it's the choices you and I make today and tomorrow that will matter before Christ returns. We don't know the day or the hour he's coming either.
So how do we prepare?
Hebrews 10:23-25 (Msg)
Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. [24] Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, [25] not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
We hold onto His promises and find new ways to reach people with the love of God that is so special to us. And we are to spur each other on to greater service for God than ever before.
Why would anyone do that? Out of love for God and love for people.
We don't want anyone who's willing to make a choice to change directions from missing Christ's arrival in their lives.
Grace!
David
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
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