I want to share with you something I read recently that really struck home for me. The author of this excerpt, Leslie Ludy, has written many books I have read and have thoroughly enjoyed. She is a young woman who is not afraid to proclaim the Truth contained in God's Word. Please, take a moment and read the following:
"Leonard Revenhill once said that modern Christianity has accepted a counterfeit version of joy and peace by looking to Hollywood and professional sports to bring us delight. We look to movies and television and football games to bring us the pleasure that our King desires to give. And by leading on worldly entertainment for rest and refreshment, we find only a temporary fix; not lasting happiness or true fulfillment. This is exactly the bait that many of us have fallen for. We have accepted a counterfeit version of peace and joy, and it's often hard for us to believe we can find something even better in Christ.
But when you think about the great spiritual heroes like Elsizabeth Fry, Viba Perpetua, or Gladys Alwyard, it's hard to imagine them spending every night in front of the T.V. and rushing out to see the latest blockbuster on opening night. They were far too busy living out a real-life drama with the King of the universe; spilling out their lives to bring Him glory, reveling in His abundant mercy and faithfulness; marveling at His unspeakable power, and delighting in the joy of His surrounding presence.
Amy Carmichael once wrote, 'We often ask the question. 'What is the harm of it?' about reading certain books, following certain pursuits, taking our recreation in certain ways. What is the harm of the latest novel, even if it happens to be rather unprofitable? And we (who have not the time to read one out of a thousand of the real books that have been written) spend a precious hour by deliberate choice over something not worthwhile.'
When we lay everything at the feet of Jesus and find our deepest fulfillment, rest, peace, strength, and joy in His presence alone -- not dulling our spiritual life with worldly counterfeits -- we are ushered into the supernatural, superhuman existence God designed us to live/ That's when the presence of God draws near. That's when our prayers are heard and answered. That's when the life we read about in Scripture actually becomes our reality. So, what are we waiting for? Let's turn of the clamor of pup-culture and tune in to His Spirit, today"
It is so true! We look to other things to give us that temporary feeling of "happiness" and "peace" instead of looking to the One who can give us everlasting JOY and SATISFACTION!!! It is so easy to get caught up in the pattern of looking to other things to bring us happiness because a lot of us do like to "escape" from the present and "get lost" into something that will take our minds off of what is truly reality. For the believer, we should not look to other things to help us "escape", but instead we are to focus on the Truth that "in His presence is fullness of joy". (Psalm 16:11).
I challenge you this week to really think about this and to examine your own life. Are you looking to Christ to give you true fulfillment and joy, or do you continually look to other "things" to give you that temporary "happy" feeling?!
Thanks for reading!
PTL!!!!!
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