York Minster, one of my favorites
"How many times have you heard Christians say, or have you heard the words from your own mouth, 'So-and-so is not a Christian, but he's searching'? It is a common statement among Christians. The idea is that there are people all over the place who are searching for God. Their problem is that they just haven't been able to find Him. He is playing hide-and-seek. He is elusive.
"In the Garden of Eden when sin came into the world, who hid? Jesus came into the world to seek and to save the lost. Jesus wasn't the one who was hiding. God is not a fugitive. We are the ones on the run. Scripture declares that the wicked flee when no man pursues. As Luther remarked, 'The pagan trembles at the rustling of a leaf. The uniform teaching of Scripture is that fallen men are fleeing from God.'
"People do not seek God. They seek after the benefits that only God can give them. The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while at the same time fleeing from God Himself. We are, by nature, fugitives. "
***
"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." - Romans 3:10-18 ESV
***
"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You." - Psalm 86:5
***
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." Psalm 145:17-19 (and I would advise reading the whole wonderful chapter.)
***
"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope." - Timothy Keller
Have a blessed Lord's Day, friends.
Jesus is Lord.
Guilty of saying or thinking such things. Thank you for the post, it was very powerful. Have a Blessed day.
ReplyDeleteSo true dear Judy! Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday! HUGS!
ReplyDeletethe spires on this church look like they are reaching UP to God or pointing the way to Him..that must be why churches have steeples.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I really enjoyed this post. I pray that God will help me to be the woman he wants me to be. I know I try, I know I could try harder. Bless you, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeletewhat a pretty church judy, and it's a beautiful image. I have always been happy with the person I am and I'm very proud of that!!!
ReplyDeleteAn other wonderful post, Judy.
ReplyDelete"Jesus came into the world to seek and to save the lost. Jesus wasn't the one who was hiding. God is not a fugitive. We are the ones on the run."
ReplyDeleteAmen to this!
I just heard the most wonderful sermon on grace today, and I was thinking about how men run from God and say that He doesn't exist. So, so sad when the Good News is exactly what it proclaims and more as it is the really, really REALLY Good News! :-)
RC Sproul was a friend of my aunt and uncle's, and I used to hear his name a lot over the years when they were still living. I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing. Made me smile this lovely Sunday morning.
xoxox
Sheila :-)
Great post. R. C Sproul is a great writer. Curious if you are a Calvinist since he definitely was. I laugh and tell others, I am 4/5 Calvinist--I just cannot seem to jump the hurdle of the other 1/5!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post, thank you. God Bless you and enjoy your day!
ReplyDeletePowerful and true!
ReplyDeleteGood RC there, and Keller too. Two of my favorites and such truth. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood to read today. We are fans of R.C. and of Timothy Keller. God is the one who calls...
ReplyDeleteYork Minster was one of our favorites, too. We enjoyed evensong when we were there. Hope your weekend ends well...
Oh, yes! And not just a person's idea, but the truth of God straight from His Word!
ReplyDeleteThe Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost!
A great post and so very true.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of this summary before ...
ReplyDelete"Man seeks the benefits of God while at the same time fleeing from God Himself'.
Must remember that one.
Thank you, Judy.
ReplyDeleteJust this morning I wrote a friend:
ReplyDeleteAs I’ve been listening to the Bible since January 1st, it struck me how easy it was for the ancients to converse with God and figure out what He wanted. Have been mulling over the idea the past couple days that I make it waaaaay for complicated than it is. Hear what He says. Do it. Really? What a concept. And I hear God far more clearly that I have been willing to admit. Go back to NJ. But I don’t wanna!!!
:) m & jb (who is a lot more obedient to God than I am!)
Wishing you a blessed Sunday and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo and beautiful words, dear Judy. Thank you for blessing my heart.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Oh that was good, Judy!
ReplyDeleteSo very true, isn't it?
Thank you for this post.
Have a blessed week.
Debbie
Wonderful post, Judy. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and I believe God is seeking us. Jesus is easy to find, just ask him into your heart. There is no need to seek; I see God as like a lion on the prowl, looking for each of his much loved children.
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking post and excellent verses! The church is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteI am just beginning to touch on the fact I am loved by the King of Kings.
Thank you for this post. xoxo