Day Three - My Affection for God

DAY 3

Psalm 3, 33, 63, 93, 123 Proverbs 3 . . .Jonathan Edwards

Lord, I love your word. I’m exhausted from the Parent University from last night and yet your word gives me life this morning.

Psalms 3 and 33 tell me, “From the Lord comes deliverance

Sing to him a new song, play skillfully and shout with joy

We wait in hope for the Lord, for we trust in his holy name, may your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” I love the sense that God wants us to sing “new songs”. I love singing songs I know but new songs I learn give me so much life. New songs bring an excitement and freshness to our walk with Christ. Some churches can’t get away from the songs of 1850 and I do appreciate old tunes but there is so much life that is missing if the new song is not sought.

Psalm 63 says my soul thirsts for you. “Because your love is better than life my lips I will glorify you, I will praise you as long as I live.Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings, my soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me” The concept of thirsting for God is present all over the Scripture, I know that our hearts were made with an unquenchable thirst for God. Psalms compares this thirst to that of a deer thirsting for water. Why do we not thirst for God? I believe part of the reason is that our hearts are too filled with other affections . . . we have to get to the place of needing Him, asking for this thirst and setting worldly affections aside to have time for Him. It has been a consistent prayer for me to ask for thirst and I ask for it again, Lord, give me a constant thirst for you that I won’t ignore.

Proverbs 3 is a great encouragement to also watch my heart.

Lord, there are two things I want for my family, that I be a man of love and faithfulness. Our world has perfected the art of lust and unfaithfulness. May I be under your protection, bind love and faithfulness around my neck.

The writer of proverbs also writes, “don’t be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” I really feel this verse, because I know that I tend to be too proud of my own wisdom, I have hurt people with my arrogance and hurt my relationship with God. I am convicted again and again, that I don’t have to prove myself to anyone with my knowledge, wisdom or strategy for ministry, I have to prove myself with humility, love and obedience to Him only. “Don’t resent His rebuke because the Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in.” As a child, rebukes would anger me, almost hurt me because I was so insecure. I have been so blessed by His rebukes and his discipline. Lord, may I have the humility and wisdom to receive your teachings and lessons. Today’s culture hates rebukes, you are attacked back when you try to correct anyone. “Don’t withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.” I love the proverbs, they give me so much to think about, change and renew in my life.

Excerpt from Jonahtan Edwards, Religious “Affections”

God has given us the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. He writes that true religion must be exercised with great ferver and conviction not in a weak, dull and lifeless “wouldings”. “with all our heart and with all our soul” takes on a new meaning in the shema . . . our hearts must be fully engaged in our love for the Lord. This is rarely talked about in our churches but we must confront our disciples to watch their affections, especially in Dallas, a city with great affection for material possessions, unmatched affection for outward appearances and magnetic affection for sensuality and perversion. Lord save your church in Dallas from being tainted by these strongholds, may your church in Dallas be pure, poor in spirit and abundant in generosity.

“People are exceedingly busy, it is their affections that keep them busy . . . we must have affections for Him. “A person who has a knowledge of doctrine and theology only without religious affection has never engaged in true religion” . . .our hearts must be affected by His word. . . .holy thirst for God is also and expression of this affection. I have become an expert at being busy but a novice at devotion and quietness. I have to repent. Lord, forgive me, may my affections move from ambition for my own desires to ambition to know you, to walk with you and to serve you.

Lord help me love my family, while writing my journal, Bailey woke up and came down. She kept interrupting me and after I gave her cereal, she kept coming back wanting to sit on my lap. I kept telling her, Bailey, I’m working can you let me finish. After a while she said to me, “Daddy, all I need is a little love.” It hit me like a ton of bricks. I sat her on my lap, and she just curled up in my arms and keeps wanting to touch me, hold me and be close to me. She sat with me for quite a while. I’m so glad the Lord is never to busy for me. May I be more sensitive to Bailey’s need for my love and affection too. Lord help me balance my time with you, with my family and with my work. Forgive me for not loving others like I should. I love you Lord.

I look forward to tomorrow Lord, Day 4 with you.