Forty-six years ago April 29th,1975, as the
people of antebellum times described being born again as “being seized by the
power of a great affection”, I began my walk with Jesus Christ. Immediately, a
hunger for more knowledge of the Lord overwhelmed me. I devoured
Scripture. I studied the Word diligently. I was consumed with a desire to know
Him better.
In the ensuing years, I entered full-time ministry and
attended seminary. I read many Christian
writers, primarily C.S. Lewis and Brennan Manning. I was truly enriched by all
these experiences.
Fast forward to the present moment, I find myself full
of theological knowledge but seemingly less passionate about continuing to grow more in love with the Christ who gave
His all on the Cross so that I might have eternal life. To paraphrase the man
of Scripture who said, “I believe, help my unbelief.” I pray, “Jesus, “I love you, help me to see Thee more clearly, follow you more nearly, and love you more dearly (as the song
goes)!”
I John 2:16 (NIV) says, “ For everything in the
world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of
what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the world.” All
these have combined to dampen my passion for Christ.
As we observe Christ’s passion on Good Friday and see
His love poured out on the Cross and celebrate His resurrection on Easter
Sunday to seal for us eternal life, may we all fall more in love with Him.
I found the following in a Lenten devotional. It struck a chord deep within me. May this be our prayer.
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it
has both satisfied me and me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my
need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire, O God, the Triune
God. I want to want Thee. I long to be filled with longing;
I thirst to be made more thirsty still.
Show me Thy glory; I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy
a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one,
and come away.” Then give me the grace to rise and follow Thee up from the misty
lowland where I have wandered so long.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
From: A Prayer for Spiritual Desire by A.W.
Tozer
MINISTRY NEWS
AND NEEDS:
I would deeply
appreciate your prayer for me going forward that we would be energized by an
ever-deepening love for Jesus to fulfill the call He has placed on my life. I
desire, in whatever time I have left, to finish strong.
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purchase something from Amazon, please go to:
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Amazon contributes a portion of each sale to our ministry.
The next
quarterly newsletter will be published in late June. Donors who give on a
monthly basis will be furnished three return envelopes with the appropriate
month listed on the front. All other donors will be furnished with one envelope
per quarter. This move is being done to be good stewards of the resources God
has provided us. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate
to call me at 678-986-4814.
I am grateful to
all who have blessed us with your prayers, your encouragement, and your
support!