New Again

God’s Longing

What does it tell us about our Creator that He would go to such extraordinary lengths to make himself accessible to us? We can see this throughout scripture, but even more so in Luke 19:41-44.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Jesus wept because they didn’t recognize that He came from God. He wept because the consequences of their blindness kept them from knowing and experiencing His peace and forgiveness. Do we recognize the real Jesus? The rejection of Jesus did not divert His desire to know each us. He died on the cross saying, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

What would happen in our lives if we actually began to believe that the God of all time and eternity wanted us to know him? It starts by understanding that God sent His only Son to die a gruel death, so that we might have life, but also so that we might know Him as He knows us. Do you want to know Him? You can today!

Adapted from GOD: As He Longs For You to See Him by Chip Ingram

Reporter Flips Over News Report

There are somethings you just don't learn as a Radio/TV/Film Major...like keeping some distance from the report, no matter how great the story.

HowDo You See God?

J. I. Packer wrote, "Our aim in studying the Godhead must be to know God Himself better. Our concern must be to enlarge our acquaintance, not simply with the doctrine of God's attributes, but with the living God whose attributes they are."

This quote is the foundational primise of a new study I am beginning with our College/Careers Small Group called Common Grounds. We are studying seven attributes of God based on the Chip Ingram Series, "God: As He Longs For You To See Him." The Series starts with some very thought prevoking questions, such as:

1. When you think of God's existence, how do you perceive the culture is thinking about Him?

2. What do you think other people are thinking are thinki ng about when they ponder God?

3. If you were forced to describe God with one word, what would you use and why?

There is a huge difference between understanding God's attributes intellectually and letting them shape our lives.

A.W. Tozer states, "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

I used to feel that God's love and delight was connected to my ability to successfully perform. Maybe that comes from my years growing up in a family where nothing was ever good enough. But, after being introduced to Christ, I found that He loved me dispite my successes or failures.

Checkout Zephaniah 3:17 and see if it does change your image of how you see God. I trust that you will ponder these soul serching questions, and I pray that you too might find freedom...the freedom that only comes from knowing God, for this is how He longs for us to see Him.