Posts Tagged ‘zeal’

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Zeal…Ro. 12:11a and Isaiah 6:8

July 4, 2011

 Still in Romans 12:11.  Yesterday, while still thinking about “zeal”, I could not shake the prodding  of the Holy Spirit.  I previously wrote about how I felt when I was first born again and how zealous I was to proclaim what God had done in my life.  There is more to it than that.

 Little by little, our faith is being eroded in this country.  It is being chipped away by those who choose to misinterpret our Constitution.  The threat of someone’s perceived discomfort is enough for the ACLU to attack long standing Judeo/Christian practices and bully establishments to remove God from the public arena.

 The latest is that the VA will no longer allow any reference to God in their funeral services without Government approval!!!  What country do we live in? 

 Yet, as this trend continues, backed by progressive Judges who do not honor the Constitution, we Christians just sit back and shake our heads.   Me too.

 Jesus asked if there would be faith on the earth when He returned.  Will there?

 Who is the one who says to God, “Here am I Lord, send me.”

 Maybe we should look at the way that Russia became communist or what led up to Hitler’s holocaust.  I am sure that God was removed, little by little, chipped away bit by bit, while the Christians did nothing.  It’s happening again and it’s happening here. 

Good v. evil continues…and God still asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”  Is silence the only answer He hears?

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Never Lag in Zeal and Earnestness

July 3, 2011

Romans 12:11 begins, “Not lagging behind in diligence”; some versions say “zeal”.   

I remember when I was first born again in 1975; my passion for the Lord and for sharing the good news was intense.  I could not stop talking about Him, about grace, about freedom.  I drove most people around me crazy; they either ran away from me or accepted the Lord to shut me up.  Thankfully, those who accepted Him are still with Him today. 

I walked away from Him for several years in the 1980s and didn’t fully recommit myself until 1996.  During that time, although my life took a downward spiral, I always had a strong sense that He was just waiting for me to come back.  Even then, if anyone asked me about Him, the fire returned as I witnessed (in word, truly not in action).  The Holy Spirit honored the attempt despite me.  A friend told me during that time that because I had been sealed with the Holy Spirit, I would return to the Lord.

 Well, I did return and He received me back, and blessed me and loved me and forgave me.  What I learned while wandering in my self imposed wilderness has now given me compassion, understanding and a ministry to guide others who need a savior back to Him as well. 

 The zeal and passion has returned, but now in a mature, level-headed, scripture based and guided fashion (by the Holy Spirit, good teaching of the Word and great mentors). 

So, if the zeal has left, do not despair:  “Our misery becomes our ministry” (Mark Shell). Return to Him and He will return to you.