In Pursuit of One Encouraging the daily pursuit of Jesus. en-us http://inpursuitofone.com http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=64 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:59:57 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=64 <![CDATA[Worship and His Presence]]> the Pursuit of God, something stuck out to me that has never really hit me before. I've read this book many times and each time the LORD highlights something in my heart from what Tozer wrote.

There are so many cliches and presuppositions out there concerning worship and to even tackle them would be a never-ending task. However, there is a mindset that I want to point out that could have us missing out on so much. What I think we're missing out on is His Presence.

The words of Tozer that got me thinking were:
"The interior journey of the soul from the wilds of sin into the enjoyed presence of God is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament tabernacle. The returning sinner first enter the outer court where he offered a blood sacrifice on the brazen altar and washed himself in the laver that stood near it. Then he passed through a veil into the holy place where no natural light could come, but the golden candlestick which spoke of Jesus, the Light of the World, threw its soft glow over all. There also was the shewbread to tell of Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the altar of incense, a figure of unceasing prayer.Though the worshiper had enjoyed so much, still he had not yet entered the presence of God."

tabernacleCan you imagine being a part of the temple? Especially when the Presence of God would come down in such a way you couldn't even stand? I don't know about you, but that would be quite thrilling and amazing!

But I wonder how often it might have become commonplace? How often did they just go through the motions? Or how often did they do the things of worship... even with a right heart, yet they stopped short of entering the Presence?

The truth of the matter is what they were doing was their extent of their worship. They didn't each individually have the opportunity to enter His presence after engaging in their method of worship, because only one man, once a year could enter the Most Holy Place. So ultimately, they did everything they could do.

But with us, the veil has been torn. IT HAS BEEN TORN. It no longer exists. Yet how often do we worship, we do all we know to do, even with the right heart and we still miss His Presence all together. Is that possible? Sure it is. I think it's even possible that we can come to a place where we enjoy worship... and think that in that is the Presence of God.

This post was not intended to give a solution, but more so spur you on in your pursuit. Could it be that we've capped our worship experience at the point of where we think or feel we've reached the end... but really His Presence is just around the corner?

Is worship even about that: "reaching the presence"? Or is it truly about Him and Him receiving all of our hearts?]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=64 38 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=62 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:46:25 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=62 <![CDATA[Quote: A.W. Tozer]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=62 9 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=59 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:22:50 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=59 <![CDATA[Nugget: Proverbs 21:21]]> Proverbs 21:21 - "Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor."

This scripture speaks for itself and it's pretty clear.

I'm in pursuit... are you?]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=59 78 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=50 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:06:37 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=50 <![CDATA[It broke His heart.]]> brokenheartConsider: Genesis 6:1-10

Verse 6 of Genesis 6 is heart-wrenching.

"So the LORD was sorry He ever made them. It broke His heart."

Can you imagine God stating that His heart was broken? Can you imagine what the LORD was feeling when He was sorry for ever creating humanity?

This doesn't speak of a God who is far off. This doesn't speak of a God that hates humanity. This doesn't speak of a God who enjoys condemning people to hell, eternally separating them from Him.

This speaks of the One who throughout the ages has wooed the hearts of man. This speaks of the One who longs for relationship with His creation.

You may not be in "sin". You may not be a "bad" person. You may not be like the ones that broke God's heart in the context of this passage. You may even be on your way to heaven. But I do wonder, where is your affection? What/who do you long for? We miss out on so much by settling in our relationship with Him.

The people of Genesis 6 had broken God's heart by turning away from Him.

Which direction are you facing?]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=50 378 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=48 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:10:41 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=48 <![CDATA[Quote: A.W. Tozer]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=48 9 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=44 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:24:17 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=44 <![CDATA[Quote: A.W. Tozer]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=44 89 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=42 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:35:56 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=42 <![CDATA[Quote: E.M. Bounds]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=42 89 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=40 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:11:07 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=40 <![CDATA[Nugget: Psalm 27:8]]>
"My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with Me.' And my heart responds, 'LORD, I am coming.'"

Simple, yet profound. The LORD has made it possible for us to fellowship with Him... to pursue Him. So let's do it! :)]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=40 78 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=37 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:28:48 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=37 <![CDATA[worship-hands]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=37 378 http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=32 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:18:36 CDT http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=32 <![CDATA[Forever and a Day]]> I just recently pulled out a CD that I haven't listened to in a few months. It's Forever and a Day by Anthony Skinner. The whole album is great! This album is a must-have in any music collection.

The song "Forever and a Day" has some incredible lyrics that really connect you with the heart of the Father:

I was ashamed, You called me beautiful.
I was a thief, You said I stole Your heart.

The song itself reminds me of how great His love and grace really is... and it tugs at my heart to pursue Him more.]]> http://inpursuitofone.com/?p=32 68