Monday, January 24, 2011
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Zechariah 1-6 and Revelation 19
no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God
has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of
God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within
him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We
have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may
understand what God has freely given us.
In every human heart there is a craving to marvel. We long to be filled with endlessBIBLE IN A YEAR: Zechariah 1-6 and Revelation 19
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Corinthians 2:9-12 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God
has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of
God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within
him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We
have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may
understand what God has freely given us.
wonder. The secular entertainment industry has targeted this commercially but even
what they can create is no match for the fascinating God of the Universe. Our highest
imagination cannot perceive what He has in store for those who love Him.
We have a beautiful God beckoning us to encounter His beauty, but we must understand
that it takes time and energy to begin plumbing the depths of God. It takes time and
energy to fast and study Scripture. Those who expend all their energies in their jobs and
ministries, and then pursue entertainment and recreation, quickly find themselves depleted.
Many of God’s people find themselves without the time or energy to fast, pray or read
Scripture. We cannot throw ourselves into a hundred other pursuits at the expense of
searching out God. We cannot over saturate ourselves with activity.
One of the greatest problems in the church today is Spiritual boredom. We are so filled
with entertainment and recreation that we have sacrificed eternal fascination for the latest
blockbuster movie. As we increase our intake of earthly entertainment we dull our capacity
to be fascinated with God. Pornography, riches or self-promotion do not appeal to a person
fascinated with Christ Jesus. There is more to serving God than simply gritting your teeth
and trying to avoid evil. Being fascinated with God serves as a holy protection mechanism
from all the deceptions of the enemy, and it strengthens believers to reach for beauty that
will not fade.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to reveal to you where pursuing recreation and entertainment has overcomeyour desire to pursue Him. Confess as necessary.
2. Are you so busy with activity that you don’t have any time for God? What things does
God want you to put on hold so that you can spend more time with Him in prayer
and reading the Word?
