I have announced to our church that until the end of July 2013, during our weekend prayer meetings, we will have one specific request. We will be praying to KNOW HIM MORE. Many people know about HIM but not many people KNOW HIM. He is the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob. What does this mean? Why is God referring HIMSELF using these three people?
In the book of Haggai, God rebuked His people for only looking to build their own homes while leaving His temple in ruins.
Haggai 1:2-7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say, The time is not yet come that the [a]Lord’s house should be rebuilt [although Cyrus had ordered it done eighteen years before].3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,4 Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?5 Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways and set your mind on what has come to you.6 You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it.7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) and how you have fared.
Why are people today praying like they had during Haggai's time? Why are they praying for physical needs? Yes, they are important to some degree but why have we come to that point overlooking what God's desires are. We should be the head but many are the tail. Many should be the lender but almost all are the borrowers. Why is it that we have sown much but reaped little? ?Why is it that we have drunk but we do not have our fill? Why is it that we have clothed ourselves but there is no warmth? Why is it that we earn but we are always behind still trying to catch up? So many Christians always in debt. Why are most American Christians in this situation? And because we are in this situation, we pray and ask God to help us reap. We pray and ask God to help us be filled and to have warmth. We pray and ask so we can be blessed and prosperous. But yet no answer. Why?
Just as in Haggai's time, God's people were busy bodies trying to build their own homes first. They had left God's temple in ruins when the decree had come to build back the temple. But they were working hard for their own things. They had the order backward. The proper order is to seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first and those things will be added on to you.
Today, although we have physical churches to attend and yes this place of worship is important and must be given priority as HIS House, however, there is something of more importance. The more importance is the place where HE dwells in. Now, the temple or the place HE dwells is in you. But for many of YOU, HIS Temple is in ruins. They are full of idols, unforgiveness, anger, rage, hate, envy, lust, addictions, bondages, hurt, jealousy, fear, and etc etc etc. And while they are in the hearts of many, the many Christians continue to spend much money and time for their own kingdoms and personal problems and desires. When our own kingdoms, personal problems, and desires are not satisfy, we go to our Father God and pray and ask. This is why HE is not answering you. Our requests are SELFISH and for ourselves. Today, many Christians are using God as a servant and we employ HIM for our needs. Just as throughout history, stubborn stiffed neck people we are as we have been serving God backwards. We are just as guilty as we have taken HIS grace for granted.
He desires us to KNOW HIM on an intimate level. He desires us to worship HIM in truth and spirit. He desires us to KNOW HIM as we are emptied of ourselves so HE can fill us with HIM. He is jealous for us and HE desires us. HE wants us to go after HIM because HE is God and not because HE can give us something. When we have this order proper, then all those things will be added on to us. When we get to know HIM more, then as we get closer to HIM, HIS Glory will drive out the addictions and bondage. His Glory will remove the depression and discouragement. His Glory will reveal to us that all the things we thought were important outside of HIM is but trivial. We need to know HIM and we need to know HIM MORE.
Psalm 34:18 (AMP) The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.
If you like to join Fire of God International Church and pray with us corporately to KNOW HIM MORE than please do so. We will be praying for this one specific request until the end of July. And as you get to know HIM MORE, HE will show you who you are and as a result will bring brokenness and a contrite spirit. May you continue to grow in His Grace moving from Glory to Glory as you become and take on His nature and likeness.
May your life be His Will. May your life be a song to HIM. May your life be a praise to HIS Name. May you live for His Glory.
God bless
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God International Church
No comments:
Post a Comment