Encouraging Notes

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MELLOW FOR YOU – CRAZY FOR GOD 

Have you ever seen someone in church or elsewhere dancing and shouting or on their face, crying out to God? Some would say, "it doesn't take all of that." My response is… I agree – It doesn't take all of that unless you are desperate! Look at apostle Paul's thoughts regarding this in 2 Corinthians chapter 5.

2 Corinthians 5:13 "If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit."

I am amazed at how crazy some people are willing to be as a spectator in a football game or a basketball game or how far someone will go at a nightclub to impress someone.  Sometimes I wonder how far we are we willing to go for the cause of Christ – the cause that is beyond all causes on planet Earth? We all know that there are people who show passion on the outside just for show, but be careful when you look at people who are showing extreme passion on the outside; you don't know what trials or victories they've been through to bring them to that point and you don't know the depth of their passion and longing for what truly matters – our incredible God! 

The word "devotion" speaks of profound dedication, consecrated and earnest attachment to a cause or person etc.–the willingness to abandon all else for the sake of the cause! How do you respond when your love for something is greater than your love for life itself? Look at what King David said here:

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:2-4

In the second book of Samuel we have an example of David’s passion for God; take a look.

2 Samuel 6:12-16 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

David’s wife Michal was embarrassed by David’s actions and despised him, but look at what the Word of God says regarding her attitude.

2 Samuel 6:20-23 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

Michael’s attitude towards David caused her to go to her grave with no children. Likewise, those who despise passionate worship towards God are those who will find themselves barren in the kingdom of God. As you are passionately worshiping God, you can be sure of this, God is proud of you, and your zealous attitude towards God will be honored!

Like David, the more we see God for who he really is, the more gratitude and passion fills our hearts and we begin to have the same attitude as apostle Paul–the attitude that is…

MELLOW FOR YOU – CRAZY FOR GOD 

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