I'm listening to "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong, it's a favorite song of mine right now. I love it because it's about Jesus and who He is and how great He is and not necessarily how good or bad people feel (I'm not knocking those songs completely). I have been reading Colossians a lot lately and I love that letter because it's all about the superiority of Christ and how in Him is wisdom, knowledge and redemption. I find it interesting that Paul said in chapter 2 that he was not only concerned for the people in the Colossian church but also in Laodecia and Laodecia was the Church in Revelation that was rebuked for its lukewarm attitude. The letter warns against listening to false teachers who tell you that you need to do something to attain knowledge, that it's only for the elite. Paul answers all arguments by preaching Jesus. For all that I hear I don't hear much about the person of Jesus Christ, I hear new methods of circumcision, new ways to "improve yourself," and other teachings that cannot be understood and done by anyone but the gifted.

I hear about people going to other countries and preaching the cross but here we discuss our higher, lofty ideas and as a Church we lack true love and power. We have added to the truth and people (and I include myself in this) don't preach Christ and Him crucified because it isn't what we have determined to know. I heard a Japanese karate instructor comment once that American students were tougher to teach because they always demanded explanations for everything, whereas the Japanese were more unconditionally obedient. I'm not saying we shouldn't exercise discernment, but unless we humble ourselves as children we will by no means enter the kingdom of God. The lifestyle that Christ talks about in the Sermon on the Mount is something anyone can do and understand but hardly anyone does it because it's too hard on the flesh. I have found my greatest times with the Lord have been when I have ceased demanding reasons and worshipped Him for who He is because that never changes. What a hope we have that we have a God that we have access to, that His love has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit. We need not go far, we have but to look to Him and find our all, every need and desire is in Him. I am grateful for the days when I feel weak and I am reminded that apart from Him there is no true peace. I pray that we allow the Lord to apply the cross to our lives, to kick the props away until all we really stand on is Him rather than have a "Christ and this other thing" type of Christianity. Let us not settle for anything less than God's complete best. Why would we? Lets forsake the immediate gratification and strive to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We have no idea what our identity is as Christ's beloved bride who He wants to show the depth of His love to and move through like no other time in history. Stir us and awaken us, Lord and we will run after You.