First off, I must say the last few posts have not been at all "depressing" or even related to "suicide" but are in my mind nonetheless. (I could not be more thankful for God moving in me each and every second)
Now. Breakaway (once again) was incredible. Ben Stuart is so blessed to be used by God to speak such truth and clearly at that. Tonight we discussed the longings of the heart and what we choose to do with them. We have two specific desires: the desire to make an impact/difference and desire for intimacy with another. Both of these I long/desire for everyday. As Ben explained, these desires are actually alright to have. In fact, God calls us to desire on an even deeper level. Where it begins to matter most, is what you decide to do with these desires. I forget whom Ben quoted but it read, "Sin is taking a legitimate desire into an illegitimate place." The desire is not evil, the misplacement of it is. He proceeds to discuss the story of the woman at the well, but unfortuantely I cannot even begin to explain it as well as he did. (Please check out the podcast at www.breakawayministries.com) We can have these desires as long as they are surrendered completely to God. As Ben stated so well, "We must loose our lives in order to find them." Turn loose of everything, but God alone, and then He will give you the desires of your heart according to His purpose. He, alone, knows what you need. He, alone, is the only satisfaction. Give everything to him, including affections, and He will provide. Love the Lord with ALL your heart, and then will duty spring from there. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Luke 12:34 Such a simple verse I believe a lot of us overlook and ignore its depth. So I challenge you, fall in love with your Savior, for He is so in love with you.
P.S. This song fits perfectly. So simple (like Luke 12:34) but so true:
"Forever Love"
by: Francesca Battistelli
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
From the bottom of my heart I’ll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I’ll run to You
‘Cause all that I’ve become I owe to You
(Chorus)
From the bottom of my heart I’ll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I’ll run to You
‘Cause all that I’ve become I owe to You
(Chorus)
Nothing in this world could ever separate us
I will love You more than anyone on earth
Nothing I desire could ever satisfy me the way that You do
Listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPlvDtpYi_g
The song is awesome. I think he was quoting Oscar...or Oswald or I don't know something with an "O" when he was talking about sin and the book of Luke and/or Matthew when he said you must lose your life to save it. It says "whoever tries to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my(Jesus') sake will perserve it." I quoted from memory so I'm not sure how accurate that is.
ReplyDeleteI love you Amanda, can't wait to read the next one. I am so glad that God is speaking so clearly to you now.