Passionate Pursuit of God

Before I married my hubby Rob I spent some time dating.  In prepration for one of these dates I had spent all day planning for a very romantic evening.  As we were enjoying a movie after dinner at my home I heard the Lord clearly say, “ Boy, I wish you gave me this same attention.”  Needless to say, the date ended early. I was so taken a back by this realization – I was neglecting God and giving my time and energy on finding love from a man. If God was my first love, where did my passion go?

Sometimes we need a wake up call to spark a passionate pursuit of God. As I searched my manna notebooks for a good blog topic for Valentine’s Day I found some sermon notes but  it did not contain a date, the church, or the pastors name.  I believe God knows and will bless those that gave the word at the time it was first given. Here’s are the points from the sermon. I’ve added some verses from Colossians 3 to enrich the life application.

Look Up – Keep your devotion undivided. God is jealous of people and things that are put ahead of Him in our lives. He will find a way to let us know if He’s feeling neglected.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.”  Verses 1-2 “The Message” Version

Be Real – Keep your worship grounded in truth.  God knows your heart and He doesn’t want fluff.  Would flowers and candy be a nice gift for someone today?  Not for my daughter.  She wants a house plant!   Not for me -  I want to watch Nascar and a foot rub. God wants a personal relationship with us.  He knows you and He wants you to know Him so well you know what gift He wants.

“Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you.” Verses 3-4 “The Message” Version

 

Stay Put -  Keep your mind focused on Him.  Circumstances in our lives can swing at times but God wants us not to be swayed to and fro.  This is why so many times in the Bible we hear phrases like, “Be Still”  “Remain in Me”  “I will Never Forsake You”. Remembering the God is in control can calm our fears and tame the confusion that can come when circumstances get trying.  Remaining in Him also means living according to His world instead of this world.

 

“And that means killing off everything connected with the old ways - impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of that kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good.”  Verses 5-8 “The Message” Version

 

Live Beyond – Keep your hope alive.  Be content where God has you but live in the hope that He is moving you forward in line with His will. Living “as if” can be a statement of faith you have in Him.  When a new romance starts there is hope that it will become something more. You act different, dress a little better and put on cologne. It’s the same in building your relationship with God; it needs to grow stronger every day so live each day as if you’re really His and His alone.  

 

“You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like insider and outsider, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.”  Verses 9-11 “The Message” Version

 

**Lord, I love you. I long to spend time with you and get to know you better. Set my minds on the things that your mind is set on.  Forgive me for neglecting you. Today, declare the devotion of my heart to you and your way of a life filled with hope.**

 “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content, and quick to forgive an offense. Yes, forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”  Colossians 3:12-14 “The Message” Version

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