"Joel 2:12-13 (NIV) 12 'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. " O: 1)Joel includes fasting, weeping and mourning in their return to God. 2) God is gracious and compassionate 3) My western logical mind thinks that only returning is necessary. 4) But God knew their hearts: He was telling them to fast, and mourn, weep because they would be involved in the repenting and healing process. 4) I don't usually fast and weep and mourn over my sin. But even more so... I never fast and weep and mourn over the lost condition of those around me.
A: I want more of a burden for the lost. I really don't identify with them, whether in America or here. I care about them, but not to the point of weeping and mourning over the sin and separation from God. I want to ask God to increase this burden in my heart. Help me to see what he sees in them, and feel what they feel. P. Lord, I'm saddened by my lack of emotion for he lost. I want to rejoice when they come to Christ, but I don't have a burden for the people collectively. I think of Fraser, as well as Praying Hyde, and others that weep before you for the lost, and more their sin. Lord, give me a sense of the urgency of the hour. Help me to see them like you do. To feel their lostness. Give me your compassion for the lost. Completely rend my heart before you. Forgive me for my cold heart toward these people that you love so much. Show me if there are sins in my heart that are blocking this love for the lost. I've been asking and pleading with you about this Lord. Please change my heart, even today. Amen
Acts 1:24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
ReplyDelete"Joel 2:12-13 (NIV)
ReplyDelete12 'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. "
O: 1)Joel includes fasting, weeping and mourning in their return to God. 2) God is gracious and compassionate 3) My western logical mind thinks that only returning is necessary. 4) But God knew their hearts: He was telling them to fast, and mourn, weep because they would be involved in the repenting and healing process. 4) I don't usually fast and weep and mourn over my sin. But even more so... I never fast and weep and mourn over the lost condition of those around me.
A: I want more of a burden for the lost. I really don't identify with them, whether in America or here. I care about them, but not to the point of weeping and mourning over the sin and separation from God. I want to ask God to increase this burden in my heart. Help me to see what he sees in them, and feel what they feel.
P. Lord, I'm saddened by my lack of emotion for he lost. I want to rejoice when they come to Christ, but I don't have a burden for the people collectively. I think of Fraser, as well as Praying Hyde, and others that weep before you for the lost, and more their sin. Lord, give me a sense of the urgency of the hour. Help me to see them like you do. To feel their lostness. Give me your compassion for the lost. Completely rend my heart before you. Forgive me for my cold heart toward these people that you love so much. Show me if there are sins in my heart that are blocking this love for the lost. I've been asking and pleading with you about this Lord. Please change my heart, even today. Amen