I Love Dependency

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"

Ps 40:16

I do not think I have ever met anyone who was so excited to have complete dependence on someone else. I hear it almost hourly, "No daddy, I do it." My kids are champions for this one cause...I will accomplish it without your help. I know the elderly think about it as well. My wife recently told me the other day that she knew of someone here in Belgium (not a believer) that had their date of death already picked out. They had arranged in a legal document how and when they were going to die. There main reason, they did not want to be dependent on ANYONE!

So naturally, I think it is a completely foreign concept to need someone else. I never had to teach my kids to want to do something by themselves, they just, you know, wanted to do it.

Close your eyes, think of someone who is victorious. It probably is one who has it seemingly all together right? Those who are victorious in the natural are the strong, the bold, the brave, the witty, the wise, and the wealthy. To those with "everything" all together the very thought of relying on someone else is completely ridiculous. 

How can you be victorious, or have it all together, and need someone else?!?!?!

When I appraise God's salvation with eyes of the Spirit, I, without hesitation, declare my need for Him and my desire to be even more dependent upon His provision. Those who love the salvation of the Lord will be rejoicing the loudest. Those who choose dependence on God soon find that the world and all its anxiety cannot take away the source of eternal joy.

refresh

it's the first week home from the states and it's a brick wall of reality. having familial responsibilities is not for the careless or the casual, but that is not what this is about.

i had such an amazing time in the states this last trip; so many new people and new faces to talk to and necks to hug. i was by myself this time and knew this was going to be a trip that i had to "get stuff done," i felt like i did just that.

visiting my home church and attending the annual missions gathering i was battling frustration and disappointment, there was much for me to be discouraged about. however, i knew god was interested in something different. i asked god to provide for me an attitude that reflected his pleasure and provision in the land of belgium, because really, god is doing so much. i wanted this attitude to be genuine and sincere...people can smell fake.

god was more than abundant in his provision of refreshment and joy.

every service,
every message,
every coffee meeting,
every speaking engagement,
every new face,
every morning at my parents house
every tex-mex bite,
every driving opportunity in my parents convertible with the top down

there was a renewed since of purpose and vigor as i was filled with a greater passion to accomplish what god has called me to do. never-the-less, my confidence needs to rest in god's sense of direction and his desire for the land that i serve in today. my confidence cannot rest in anything apart from his faithfulness. his faithfulness will always result in my refreshment.

for the lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

proverbs 3:26

a proven rhythm

the lord is just and true. "at the end of the day" i must always ask myself...is my eye envious because he is generous. the lord too loves righteousness and hates wickedness and these are ingredients for a wonderful oil of joy to flow.

joy, which is ultimately what i am looking for, will increase with a devoted love to righteous living and the complete hatred of wickedness (note: this is applied to myself). i need a reminder of this proven rhythm time and time again. an envious eye produces nothing worthy of the glorious lord that came to free me of its stronghold.

jealousy

bitterness

discouragement

disunity

these are none of what the spirit offers, nor are they the definition of true love. rather, these are all fruits of an envious eye with a belief that things are unfair (consequently, envy will not foster faith and hope; doubt and unbelief are inevitable).