Talking Points

Tonight, on my way home from work, I found myself searching my heart; asking the Lord to reveal anything that's contrary to him. Any self serving motivation, any bitterness, any pride, anything that would hinder my relationship with him. To be as close to the Lord as we can be is not merely a joyous thing (although, it is very joyous) it's a matter of life or death. To stand in the days that are before us will require that closeness to Jesus. If you haven't checked out the link on the " beating around the bush" post, please read it. Some people at work to whom I mentioned it treated it as an "idle tale from the internet" kind of how most treat the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact tonight at work was like almost any other night. People talked of their plans for the weekend, radios blasted; though not as loud as usual, and the talk of sports was everywhere. People are all excited about tomorrows Notre Dame- Michigan game but couldn't care less about a Savior who came into this world and shed his blood for them. Football, politics, home improvements, running to the bars after work; the same types of conversation that you;ll hear in any workplace in any city in America. It's just as it was in the days of Noah. It's just as it was in the days when Jesus took upon himself a physical body. It's just as it's been throughout the ages; only now, the ages are ending and the final chapter is playing out. Kim Weirs visions are so telling concerning the spiritual battle going on at this very moment. The physical realm merely reflects that ongoing struggle that's transpiring all around us. You may be at your computer in your office or in your living room, but in reality, you are right in the heat of battle. The powers of darkness are firing everything that they have at you if you love the Lord Jesus Christ and you're longing for his appearing. I wonder how Noah felt as he was entering the ark that he had been preparing. He knew that judgment was coming and he warned people for years and years to repent; to turn back to God while there was still time. Yet when it was time to enter the ark, nobody joined him except Mrs Noah, their three sons and three daughter-in-laws. Eight people. The entire population of the earth; old people, young people, children, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers; everybody else stayed outside until finally, time expired. As God shut the door, Noahs heart must have been breaking. You see scripture coming to pass before your very eyes. You know that the age is ending, and yet, everyones attitude seems to be like "that's nice...um... oh did I tell you? We just bought a new camper. It's a really nice camper; we're taking it up north this weekend." "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man." They ate, they drank they got married, they took their kids to soccer practice, they remodeled their basements, they blogged all night long, they discussed the war on terror around the water cooler, they did everything except seek the Lord while he may be found. Even sadder still is when christians who hear the word of God preached continuously, have a similar attitude. Like the ten virgins, they're all asleep; the wise ones and the foolish. This is going to sound like complaining; maybe it is complaining, but it has puzzled me for a long time. I was seeking a church home for quite a while before coming to my current fellowship. In most places, the Lord Jesus Christ is preached on and lifted up during the service, which is the whole reason for gathering; to exalt the Lord Jesus. Before and after, however, they talk about everything under the sun except the Son. I remember reading Frank Bartlemans account of the Azuza street revival. He told how after prayer, even everyday casual conversations (like the weather) seemed ever so cold and "hard." I think it's why I like to come here. I think on the Lord Jesus Christ continuouslly and I can put down my thoughts. I can search through blogs and other sites where you find that there are others who really love the Lord Jesus and think on these things continuously also. Sometimes, I'll read of someone who obviously has a closer relationship with the Lord and it encourages me to "get closer" To truly abide under the shadow of his wings. To just "be still and know that he IS GOD!" When you really get in close with the Lord Jesus, and you fellowship with others who are likeminded, it's special. There's nothing else like it. I have a good local fellowship, however, being on second shift, I'm not able to be with them as often as I would like. Nonetheless, Jesus is with us always. He's a friend that sticketh closer than a brother and he'll be with us always.