Tag: jesus

God Yearns for You

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Looking back at the beginning of my journey of becoming a Christ-follower, I realize that it was a process – I didn’t immediately change my old habits, although I wanted to be closer to God. This process of being freed from sin is called sanctification. After repenting and surrendering my life to Christ and asking God what He wanted, the Holy Spirit began to work on my heart. He began to mold and reshape me and my character. Not only did I not want to continue with the old habits, but the conviction was also so firm that I could not hide it.

As I wanted to be closer to God, my old ways and sins had to make way for Christ’s new creation to form. The two cannot co-exist if we make room for Christ and have the relationship He intends for us.  Peace comes when we stop allowing our loyalty to be divided between God and the world.

We can’t feel the closeness and relationship we desire if we are still straddling the fence. But when we go all in – wholly surrendered to Christ – that’s when it all comes together, and we feel His presence, even though He has not gone anywhere – He is always with us – we are the ones who pull away. Feeling distant from God has a direct correlation to our sins. Once we repent and let God’s grace wash over us, the relationship begins to form as we make more room for Him in our hearts.

James points out that it is impossible to please God and the world simultaneously (James 4:4). When we come close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:8). Straddling the fence only makes us miserable. These verses from James echo Jesus’ message – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24, Emphasis added). We must step closer to Him, knowing His arms are open to welcome us. He patiently waits for us to look in His direction and want His comfort. He is a jealous God who yearns for the spirit He placed within us to worship Him alone (James 4:5; John 4:23-24).

God never tempts us – temptation comes from our desires. God always offers a way out of sin and temptation (James 1:13-14). “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, Emphasis added). We must learn to use our spiritual weapons against the devil by speaking Jesus’ name and bearing His armor (Eph. 6:10-18).

We can ask God to reveal anything we are holding on to and ask Him to help us remove it to make more room in our hearts His Spirit. David shows us how to do this, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Ps. 139:24, New Living Translation, Emphasis added). Furthermore, he also gives us a prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10, Emphasis added). A prayer I often recite.

Our goal should be to draw closer to God daily to allow more room in our hearts for His presence. I encourage you to take a step closer to God today and ask Him to help you yearn for His presence as He yearns for you. God wants to be your first love.

H.E.A.R.T.

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a leadership group at my church, where we spent a year learning more about God, ourselves, and the church. One of the assignments was to read the book The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow by Mark Miller. His acronym for the word heart stuck with me, and until recently, it was posted on the side of my refrigerator for me to see every morning. I still pray for God to help me with these traits to be a better leader.

It goes like this: Hunger for Wisdom, Expect the Best, Accept Responsibility, Respond with Courage, and Think of Others First.

Miller speaks of these as character traits – to be regarded higher than any skills we may have or acquire. It is an issue of the heart, and the only remedy is accepting Christ so the Holy Spirit can shape our character.

Paul writes that suffering produces endurance, which builds character that leads to hope through Christ (Rom. 5:3-5). Our character is the fruit of the spirit everyone should want to have – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). One of my favorite verses that follows this that I pray every morning is that God would help me “Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25, Emphasis added) so that I can please Him and align with His will.

The book is described as a road map for anyone wanting to make a difference and be a leader others want to follow. There are many verses in the Bible about wisdom, but one that stands out for me is when Solomon could have asked for anything, and he chose to ask God for wisdom so he could lead his people well. God gave him wisdom and understanding beyond measure (I Kings 4:29, English Standard Version). He hungered for wisdom – not for himself – but to glorify God in leading the people. He later had much of his kingdom removed by God because of his foolish decisions. Still, he is the one others are measured by when it comes to his wisdom. Jesus surpassed his wisdom and is more significant than Solomon (Matt. 12:42).

James writes that if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God (James 1:5). Wisdom is described as better than jewels, and nothing else compares (Prov. 8:11). In Eccl. 10:10, the author writes that wisdom helps one succeed.

To expect the best is to believe and trust in God, who is the best and wants the best for us.

Accepting responsibility is not always about admitting we are wrong and owning up to our mistakes, although it can be that. Still, there is far more here to be considered. It is also about stepping up to the role God has proposed for our lives.

This will require us to respond with courage. Many times, I have tightened my grip and reminded myself of God’s promise in the book of Isaiah – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10, Emphasis added) when I needed the courage to respond to God’s prompting.

Last but certainly not least, we must understand it is not about us but serving and loving others – thinking of others first is just that, putting ourselves in their shoes and trying to treat them as we would want to be treated (Matt. 7:12); To love God and others (Matt. 22:37-39). Jesus says we are not to exalt ourselves but become servants to others as He modeled for us (Mark 10:43-45). Jesus was the ultimate servant leader that we can strive to be like. Servant leadership empowers others for success – instead of pushing others down as we climb the ladder to the top.

It requires a changed heart that reflects the character traits of Jesus as we put on the new self, including kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and are being renewed every day to the image of our Creator (Col. 3:8-17).

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17, Emphasis added).

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26. Emphasis added).

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10, Emphasis added).