1.4 Converse - Matt Tankersley

Here are some thoughts on what God has spoken into my heart since starting our study.

As is so often the case for me when God speaks into my life, Sunday morning prior to service a thought entered and consumed my mind that seemed to come from  nowhere.  I was reflecting on Carla's amplified and visible sense of joy that comes from knowing we are spending a weekend in San Antonio.  For whatever reason, she loves San Antonio, and when she learns we are going, and when we go, and when we are there, she is literally a kid in a candy store.  It is (to me) a direct reflection of God and the joy he has for all His creation as it glorifies Him. 

I was drawn to the reality that as practicing evangelists and disciple makers, we are called to exhibit the joy of our relationship with God and his most gracious gifts, by displaying this very "depth" of joy in all things, always - including ones that are not so personally joyous or rewarding.  I was immediately transported to reflection on some of my own choices in dealing with things not so personally joyous and how too often my response could be exactly the opposite. 

Two points in reflection on our study and Sunday's message:

• Believers should "EXHIBIT" God's glory.  It seems God was speaking into my heart in advance of this point, with personal application.
• God is committed to PROTECTING His glory.  Human nature seems bent on profaning (Isaiah 48:9-1) rather than glorifying.  When in difficult situations I choose to not exercise amplified/visible joy (or more specifically patience and grace) I am clearly defaming His glory - not exhibiting.

Lastly, Danny's borrowed quote at the end of service ("God is MOST glorified by us, when we are MOST satisfied in Him.") spoke to me this way:

• Our ultimate calling (all of creation) is to Glorify Him, reminds me that 1) we do NOT have to be perfect to be SATISFIED, and thus 2) of use to Him in his efforts to advance the Kingdom and His glory.
• I am reminded that He meets people, right where they are, and calls them to relate to and with Him, and to get about the work of glorifying Him in our actions and deeds as best we can in our broken/fallen states, and
• the more we do this, the more we are satisfied in Him, and seek Him and His glory, (instead of worrying about our brokenness, undeservedness, and lifelong struggles with sin), the more we are freed from our brokenness and lifelong struggles, and the more we glorify Him

Hope this is helpful to some.  Apologies if it's too long.  Roger, your my partner so you don't have a choice...soak it up brother!

Have a blessed week all!

In Him,