hunger

I’m so hungry…for God. One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far during this 40 day food fast has been how to be hungry for God. I have learned that if I can be this hungry for food then I NEED to be even more hungry for God. I have always been really good about keeping God in everything that I do, but I am loving this time with Him. I love that in everything I do I take Him along and ask Him loads of questions. I spend time loving on Him and receiving love from Him. I have had to learn how to receive love from Him even though I don’t “feel” it. 

What I have discovered about God’s love is that it is ever present. I know that isn’t anything new, but I have seen His love in a deeper way. I have seen Him be faithful in times where I have been unfaithful. I have seen His love for people when they are acting completely against Him. I have seen His passion for the lost and I have loved to see them grow and find Him. His love for us is so consistent and constant. He loves us beyond measure. He loves us greater than we can ever fathom. I love the idea that God’s love in inexplorable. It cannot be explored enough. I love that I have all my life and eternity to find out how and why God loves me so much. 

Thank you for your love Father,

Dustin

 

time to change

It isn’t merely enough to call for a change in the way we love people we must actually love people. Why is it that we are so proud when we have a good thought about loving people, but never act on those thoughts? I hear people all the time saying, “Oh it would be cool if we did this or that for this person!” Their excitement is full and their passion is set, but the connection is never made.

Part of what I see is a lack of vision from God. Let me unpack that thought. If someone doesn’t ever feel like God has “approved” of them or that he “gives them the ability” then they won’t act. Their insecurity and complacency will always get the best of them. What is the problem with this besides immaturity? I mean let’s call it what it is. The bible clearly talks about the fact that Christ indwells us. So if Christ indwells us then we have all we need to love. You see, we can’t love God without Him giving us the love to give Him. That is because nothing in our flesh desires to love God, so the only way we can actually reciprocate His love is because we have His love. John says, “We love God because He FIRST loved us.” So if God put us into Christ and Christ in us then we have a source for every need that ever comes up. If God tells us to love Him and love people then He is going to provide us with the needs that we have. 

Secondly, regarding the issue of insecurity. The problem with insecurity is that it puts the solution on us. That isn’t biblical at all. Our strength isn’t what loves people, it’s God’s strength. God uses us not because we are special, but because He is special in us. The love that comes from us, again, isn’t ours. The love that we need to demonstrate to others comes from above. If this is true than our validation isn’t found in our abilities, but rather God’s. If we can dwell in His ability to fulfill what He wants then we don’t look to ourselves, and therefor bypass the need to be insecure because our security comes from Him. 

I hope all that makes sense. All I know is this. Christ loves us, so we need to love others. AND it isn’t the “thought that counts” when it comes to people. They don’t know your thoughts, so they need to see your thoughts put to action. So go out today and love someone extravagantly because that is how you are loved!

Dustin