Falling Deeper

Recently I have thoroughly enjoyed falling deeper in love with the one and only God who is joy unspeakable and full of glory. I want to be a part of an unspeakable joy and I want to be full of God's glory, I want to delight in the things that delight the Lord, I want to celebrate when God celebrates and I want to feel what God feels. I think about Enoch a person who "walked with God", who found his joy not in the things of this world but in the Creator of everything. His relationship with the Lord was in tune with God just as King David's heart and songs were for the Lord and therefore Enoch now walks with God in eternity. My hope is in the Lord I want it to be living as the apostle Peter writes "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him, and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

J.I. Packer writes in Knowing God "What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the 'eternal life' that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. 'This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, who you have sent' (John 17:3)."

I have found that what I read, that meditating on the Lord, that where I place my affections and that those who I let influence my life have a profound effect on falling deeper in love with the one and only God.























. What has d

MONEY

Money has been on my mind lately for various reasons, not the love of money, but how how it fits into the life of someone who wants to put God first. Earlier today I heard Alistair Begg, speak out of the book of James regarding the dangers of riches and the love of money. A couple quotes that stuck out to me in Alistair's talk where from J.C. Ryle.


"A man may greatly love money without having any at all. Beware of the love of self, it may be found in a poor man's home as well as in a mansion. And beware of thinking that poverty alone will save you. If you would sit down with Lazarus in glory, you must not only have fellowship with him in suffering, but also in grace.

“Money, in truth, is one of the most unsatisfying of possessions. It takes away some cares, no doubt; but it brings with it quite as many cares as it takes away.

“There is trouble in the getting of it. There is the anxiety in the keeping it. There are the temptations in the use of it. There is the guilt in the abuse of it. There is the sorrow in the losing of it. There is the perplexity in the disposing of it.

“Two-thirds of all the strifes, quarrels, and lawsuits in the world, arise from one simple cause – money!”


Just yesterday we received a sizable(for us) check in the mail and I was almost disappointed. The reason being is that usually when we receive a check like this it is an unexpected gift that is desperately needed. This time there were no bills or depts in desperate need of being paid and therefore there was no jumping up and down over God's immediate provision. So... I am left with seeking God's plan for that which he gives and in doing so desire that I honor Him and find great joy in using His provisions for His glory. And what I have learned from this simple experience is that the Joy of Lord does not come in having, or not having, but comes in seeking the One who does have.

My prayer is that I continually and desperately love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength no matter the circumstance.

What We Are Studying, Have Studied and Recommendations

Love and Respect by Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs

Desiring God by John Piper

r12 by Chip Ingrim

Life Rules and Breakaway by Andy Stanley

Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis

Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

The Epistles of John, the Bible

Proverbs chapter by chapter, the Bible

John chapter by chapter, the Bible

Community, Your Pathway To Progress by North Point Resources

Seeking Him by Nancey Lee Demoss

Lies Women Believe by Nancy Demoss

Share Jesus Without Fear

What Every Christian Ought To Know by Adrian Rodgers

The Truth Project

Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus

Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram

Fireproof Your Marriage

Beth Moore Bible Studies

and more to be posted.