Monthly Archives: December 2011

December 18, 2011

Father you are overwhelming. You leave me without words to  express how I feel inside after today.  I think everyone should have an experience in life where there is such unexpected joy from the love God lavishes on me that I am practically paralyzed from speech.

Jesus- your love is so beautiful and breath-taking; so intimate and perfectly orchestrated.

Marriage, yes.  Having your children born yes.  Most romantic couple adventure, yes. Watching your children grow up and get married, yes.

BUT- none of these can begin to compare with the weightiness and grandness of being apart of and witnessing your spouse yield her entire life to God and confirm her salvation from some 10 years ago; in a public Church setting with a passion filled testimony brimming with the aroma of the holy spirit.

I feel altogether inadequate and unworthy. And that is where your grace and mercy come in. It really is all about you and your glory. Jesus, we give you thanks and all the glory, honor and praise.  Were we to worship and praise you for every hour of our remaining life on Earth it would not be enough.  You are so worthy and true- and for that we give you our lives in return.

To walk with your wife who you love dearly through the process of obedience to God’s instruction to get baptised and share her testimony to hundreds of people is a life-changing momement.  Moments like these truly do come but once a lifetime. 

My wife- courageous in her convictions, obedient to her God, in love with Jesus, dying to her old self, leaning on God’s abudance more and more, growing in grace to all she sees- all right before my very eyes…  The reawakening in her so transformational that only the Holy Spirit could be behind it.  There is no rational for how wide He has opened the doors of his love and peace in the last 12 months. 

This year 2011, ends with a powerful expression of God’s claim on our marriage, family and lives.

Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”

“We  must receive Jesus as King and receive His FULL Authority first before we can we experience the FULLNESS of his comfort, peace and joy.”

“Following Jesus means coming into a Kingdom, His Kingdom, not ours.  It is more than just a discussion of theology, ideas and knowledge.”

These words from Neil’s “Look for a King” sermon have kept running through my mind on repeat.

As I ponder these thoughts, I am asking myself in my daily quiet time:

What am I looking for? Am I like Simeon looking for a King- the Lord’s Messiah to arrive? 

Am I seeking that His Kingdom come, His will be done in my life each day?

Do I REALLY want to fully yield to the authority and kingship of Jesus?

Life seems to come at us ‘fast’ and raising a young family only means that the pace will get faster and the temptations greater.  There is often times that ‘pull’ to compartmentalize my walk with God and limit my relationship with Him to where it’s best for me [most convenient, doesn’t interfere with other goals of mine].  It actually does feel like a death of sorts when I actively yield parts of my life that my flesh really wants to enjoy to Jesus’ authority.

Where do I insist on my way over Jesus’ way?

For me, it has been in the subtle ways I make decisions, the words I choose, and the work or volunteer projects I take on. As most men do, I know it is my job in many of the roles I fill [husband, father, employer, leader, friend] to take action, be decisive and show a confident resolve to accomplish results.  It is a genuine good desire to want to come through for my family, clients and friends. But… did I ask Jesus for his counsel, his wisdom, his words when I am faced with those decisions??  Or did I act out of pride, anger, self-interest, entitlement, or even fear of what others think?

Often I have not asked Jesus first; and if I have, I get impatient waiting for his response.  And that reveals to me a heart that is not fully yielded to the authority of my king.

When will I bow down in repentance to King Jesus’ authority?

As Neil advised, I am making a habit of physically kneeling before God each morning to start the day and yield my life,  come under his full authority and asking the holy spirit to lead me deeper in to Jesus this day.  Just as the branch is connected to the vine to bear fruit so this ‘dailyness’ is required to deepen the inner man.

Praise God that Jesus is our Everlasting Father and Wonderful Counselor [Isaiah 9:6-7].

I am choosing to seek and humbly ask for His Transformation and not just Information. Revelation and not wisdom alone.  He is my Father and Counselor and what good and true Father or Counselor doesn’t spend time in intimate conversation with those he loves and counsels?  My intimate time with Jesus is paramount; and I must actively fight for it.

As a husband and father, I am yielding to Jesus that indeed there are things my wife and son need that I can never provide; and that only King Jesus can provide them.  I want to focus my energy on directing them to Jesus for what only the Mighty King, Everlasting Father and Wonderful Counselor can provide.