Random Questions

 I thought I'd share some random questions from my prayer journal today. I don't remember just where they originated, but ultimately, I'll credit the Holy Spirit.

"How much of what we do in "worship" distracts rather than focuses?"  Scripture says that we're to worship Him in "Spirit and in Truth." Can we honestly say that everything going on in our corporate gatherings is centered on that directive from the heart of Christ Himself? Can it be so with all the add-ons that we have to aid the visual and emotional experiences of "the crowd" are really focused on Him, and not the preferences and desires of that crowd? Jack Hayford once said, "We must differentiate between the sound of praise and the noise of people." Those are sobering words. Many equate "noise," no matter how melodic, with being a response to His Presence. How often is it? How much time does a worship leader spend trying to "warm up the crowd," and set the table for the morning message? None of this is meant to detract from the sincere desire in many fellowships to really worship the King. But we would do well to allow Him to search us for the areas where we've given in to the devices of the world culture that seeks a crowd rather than a body of worshipping saints. Where might it be so in us?

"Has the blessing become the enemy of the Blesser?" I think it was T Austin-Sparks who wrote of the scene in Song of Solomon 2:8-9 where the bridegroom is gazing at his bride through the latticework. She is in her room, alone, satisfied with the blessing that fills her life, while all the while he is longing for her, and yearning that she would equally desire him. How much of a picture might this be of us and the Lord? Where have we become satisfied with His good things to the extent that we are very content to enjoy them apart from Him? Where does His longing for us, for you, go unmet because His blessings are desired above Him? Someone asked that if all of our heart's desires have been satisfied and yet in that, we did not have Him, would we still be content and satisfied? Would we? Would you?

"Can we say 'God is good' when life is not?" This is a heavy duty question. We've likely all been in a gathering where the worship leader or pastor shouts out, with our joining in, "God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!" We may join in on that, but where are hearts and our beliefs really at when we do? Do we really believe He is good when our lives are not? Does our thinking on that rise and fall according to the outward conditions of our lives? If we have not settled this issue, then when life does take a turn into darkness and pain, bitterness, resentment, and anger against Him are waiting at the door of our hearts for entry. Something that you and I have got to "nail to the cross" is our belief and trust in the goodness of God. A belief and trust that is not based on our circumstances but His Word and promise. We may quote Romans 8:28 freely, that He works all things together for our good, but how deeply do we really believe that when all things just get progressively worse and more painful? Job, in the midst of his deep suffering cried out, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." At some point, that has got to become our cry as well. It's best if we decide that it is so before such a time does come upon us. Has that become your cry yet?

Just some random questions for us today. What are our answers?

Blessings,
Pastor O