Joyous Thirst

Yes....the title is from the Dave Matthews Band song Grey Street.  This week I want to explore our sinful nature and our tendency to skirt the line of sin.  About 5 years ago, I remember hearing a sermon from Andy Stanley when I lived in Atlanta.  He talked about how the Bible draws a line in the sand that we as Christians should not cross.  They are the Ten Commandments.  Now, the Ten Commandments really are meant to show us that we need Jesus.  If you've told a white lie, guess what....you broke a commandment and without Jesus you would be eternally damned.  The Ten Commandments are meant to convict and bring your focus towards Jesus in thanks!  In Andy's message, he kept asking the question about why we try and justify and get as close as we can to the line without actually crossing it.  That is a dangerous game to play because one day you will cross it and that sin could be not only damaging to you, but to the people that you love.  ...

When you are looking for advice, who do you turn to?  Would you turn to someone that doesn't have the best track record for advice?  Would you turn to someone that doesn't really know anything about you? I'd like for us to dive into some excerpts from Psalm 77: "I cried out to God for help; I cried out for God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted" Here, Asaph is obviously in distress, pain, discomfort and is crying out to God.  We've all been there:  Asking God, "Why me?  Why is this happening?  Knocking on God's door saying: umm...I'm doing what is right and yet nothing is happening?" Asaph goes on to say: "I remembered my songs in the night.  My heart meditated and my spirit asked:  Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?  Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?  ...

"With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" -Jesus Today was a little bit different for me as I went with my brother in law and younger sister to their church.  The pastor gave a short sermon on possessions and how the rich young man came up to Jesus and  said in Matthew 19:20 "All these commandments I have kept, what am I still lacking?"  Jesus replied:  "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me."  The young rich man walked away grieving because he had many things in which he didn't want to give up. Jesus then turned to his disciples and said "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." This line has always gotten me, much like the verse about how mountains can be moved with...

Isn't it amazing how many of us go through life not knowing our purpose?  Or worse off, knowing our purpose, but doing nothing to pursue or live out that purpose.  As a person who has lived many years pursuing something that wasn't even close to my purpose, I know how empty of a feeling that can be. If you Google "What is my purpose in life," the first thing that pops up is an article about 7 strange questions that will help you find your purpose.  There are self-help books all over the shelves, articles all over the internet, and plenty of motivational speakers that want to help you find your purpose in life.  The issue though is that if any of these things are not rooted in relationship with God, then you are not going to be living out your purpose.  Let's dive deeper. God made Adam and Eve simply to live in relationship with Him.  This relationship was the focus.  God had provided them a wonderful garden and gave them all the joy that He offered...