Have you ever wondered why our lives and churches have become so content and complacent? Being content and complacent... oh, it's very sad that we do not desire anymore than what we have or are experiencing and we are satisfied with things as they are without considering or desiring change. We are self-satisfied and unconcerned about souls dying without knowing the LORD. Yes, change is an unknown and it's unfamiliar, but it can and should break us out of our "traditional" mold. Our following or holding on to old traditions have a great, yet negative impact upon our present and future "walk with the LORD" and service to HIM. Traditions may keep us in motion, but we get nowhere... going in a never-ending circle.
My thoughts go to the words of the chorus of a familiar, yet forgotten song, "Souls are crying, men are dying... won't you lead them to the cross? Go and find them, help to win them... win the lost at any cost. Go out and win, rescue from sin... day's almost done, low sinks the sun. Souls are crying, men are dying... win the lost at any cost." These words issue a personal challenge to every believer. Do we hear their cries... are we listening? Do we realize the darkness of the hour on GOD'S time clock? How do we become so unconcerned about the soul's eternal destiny? I ask myself, "am I concerned or have I become complacent?" In all honestly, many times I have allowed the "normal busy-ness" of every day life to have its effects upon my view of those laden with sin and who are on the broad road to a GOD-less hell... and have allowed my mind to be deterred from its main purpose.
While on this exciting journey with GOD, I have been blessed beyond measure. I can document and have documented answered prayer... GOD is so good!!! A few weeks ago, my prayer verse for the day was taken from 1 Samuel 1:10, When Hannah prayed for a child, the WORD said, "... and she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." Hannah had become dissatisfied with how her life was... she wanted a child and specifically, a man child. She did not want to be barren or the brunt of another's mockery; therefore, she cried out to the ONE who promises that HE "... shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37: 4) When she went before the LORD, she was very heavy-hearted, discontent, and in mourning... her very soul groaned before the LORD and her heart's cry was beyond words, only her lips moved. Have we ever gotten to this place? Hannah's praying drew the attention of the priest, Eli, but more important it got GOD'S attention. Eli, the priest, thought she was drunken, but GOD knew she was desperate in her desire and petition. Her cry was from the depths of her soul. She was no longer thinking selfishly of her request for a child, but she vowed that if GOD answered, she would give the child back to HIM for HIS use. I'm sure this was a difficult decision for her, as a mother, but GOD knew she was serious... she would be grateful and make the most of the time GOD would give her with the child. After her son was born she named him Samuel, whose name meant "asked of the LORD". Are there things that we are asking of GOD? How serious are we? GOD knows our heart. Do we desire the birth of "spiritual" children enough to be "in bitterness of soul"... to weep for those who need salvation? Are there times when we become so burdened, in prayer, that the groanings of our spirit is all that can be heard?
For this generation to be touched by GOD, we are going to have to experience "bitterness of soul" and a spirit of brokenness. The words to the song, "The Spirit of Brokenness" by Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision has been upon my heart for a quite a while, so I'd like to share the lyrics: "I remember the night, so long ago, the first time I called on YOUR name. Empty and broken, ashamed of my sin, I asked if this sinner YOU'D save? But the cares of life have darkened the light and I feel like I'm drifting away, so break me, mold me, cleanse me, then hold me... I want to be near YOU, today. LORD, give me the spirit of brokenness, like YOU gave when I first called YOUR name, and replace my pride with humility... LORD, a broken, willing vessel I'll be. I never set out to drift into sin... my intentions are never to stray, but my flesh is weak and I'm so prone to fall... like a child, I go my own way. Then I hear YOUR cry from deep down inside, saying, "Go back to Calv'ry again... there you'll see MY flesh opened and MY Spirit broken, then surely, your drifting will end. LORD, give me the spirit of brokenness, like YOU gave when I first called YOUR name, and replace my pride with humility... LORD, a broken willing vessel I'll be." GOD help us to be broken because of our sin that we might be more concerned about the lost condition of others.
"Oh, GOD, our HEAVENLY FATHER, help us to reach out to and win lost souls for YOUR honor and glory. Give us compassion... let us make a difference. Let us run to the aid of the lost, as if we are pulling them from a burning building. Souls are falling... falling... they're on a downward spiral toward a CHRIST-LESS eternity. Help us get a grasp upon their need and upon their souls, for YOUR sake."
For this generation to be touched by GOD, we are going to have to experience "bitterness of soul" and a spirit of brokenness. The words to the song, "The Spirit of Brokenness" by Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision has been upon my heart for a quite a while, so I'd like to share the lyrics: "I remember the night, so long ago, the first time I called on YOUR name. Empty and broken, ashamed of my sin, I asked if this sinner YOU'D save? But the cares of life have darkened the light and I feel like I'm drifting away, so break me, mold me, cleanse me, then hold me... I want to be near YOU, today. LORD, give me the spirit of brokenness, like YOU gave when I first called YOUR name, and replace my pride with humility... LORD, a broken, willing vessel I'll be. I never set out to drift into sin... my intentions are never to stray, but my flesh is weak and I'm so prone to fall... like a child, I go my own way. Then I hear YOUR cry from deep down inside, saying, "Go back to Calv'ry again... there you'll see MY flesh opened and MY Spirit broken, then surely, your drifting will end. LORD, give me the spirit of brokenness, like YOU gave when I first called YOUR name, and replace my pride with humility... LORD, a broken willing vessel I'll be." GOD help us to be broken because of our sin that we might be more concerned about the lost condition of others.
"Oh, GOD, our HEAVENLY FATHER, help us to reach out to and win lost souls for YOUR honor and glory. Give us compassion... let us make a difference. Let us run to the aid of the lost, as if we are pulling them from a burning building. Souls are falling... falling... they're on a downward spiral toward a CHRIST-LESS eternity. Help us get a grasp upon their need and upon their souls, for YOUR sake."
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