it would seem that there is within each of us an enemy which we tolerate at our peril. Jesus called it `life’ and `self,’ or as we would say, the self-life. Its chief characteristic is its possessiveness: the words `gain’ and `profit’ suggest this. To allow this enemy to live is in the end to lose everything. To repudiate it and give up all for Christ’s sake is to lose nothing at last, but to preserve everything unto life eternal. And possibly also a hint is given here as to the only effective way to destroy this foe: it is by the Cross: `Let him take up his cross and follow me.’

Tozer finishes off the chapter with a prayer. Even though the vocabulary is in an older version of english, I still found the prayer profound and also calling to myself. Lord – let this be my prayer.

Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all Those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

And only by this sacrificial love can we even begin to define love to ourselves and the rest of the world.

While I typically don’t buy into the whole “resolution” idea, I do want to commit to a change in life style. I commit to slow down and take in more of God’s creation: that I may know Him more fully and enjoy His splendor more deeply than ever before.

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:9-11, 35-39 (NIV)

Lord, may you be my strength, my life, my focus, my all.

In years past I might rant on about “commercialism’s delusion” or the slack guys and girls who wait for one day to tell someone how they feel.  Today however, after a day full of serving other people and listening to some wise men, the Lord laid a new realization on my heart.  Instead of focusing on the absence of the “love of my life” I should instead focus on the true Love of My Life – Jesus Christ and how I can show those around me that same love.  Today I believe I understand that to understand “true love” one must exhibit that same love (as close as we humans can manage). May this be my prayer today and everyday (thanks to George T. at church for some inspiration on this prayer):

Lord, thank you for saving my soul.  Thank you for the love that you first showed me.  Please remind me each day of the gracious gift of salvation you offer to not only myself, but to everyone who accepts you.  Lord, burden my heart for those around me.  Allow me the opportunities to share your love with those around me. May I not give up… back up… let up… or shut up until I’ve preached up… prayed up… paid up… stored up… and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I must keep going until He returns, give and share His story that changes lives until all know…
And when he comes to get His own, Oh how I pray He’ll have no problem recognizing me.

May each of you know this love today and every day until the Lord returns or calls us home.

Why bring this up now? Well, because it is on this day – that will be in a mere few minutes – the day that I celebrate a most wonderful and joyous occasion. At this most joyous time of the year many people forget why we celebrate. It isn’t the presents and the gifts. It isn’t even for family and friends. You see, the real reason behind this time of year is one Christ – a child, born of a virgin. A child who would one day take three nails for you and me.

In the words of the Grinch, “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!”. That’s right Mr. Grinch, because the Christmas spirit that lives in each isn’t about even the most noble of ideas of peace on earth and good will to all men. No Mr. Grinch, the real spirit behind this most joyous of seasons is Christ our Lord. Our only hope, you see, the only reason we can wish good will to men and hope for peace on earth is because of the grace of our Lord Jesus!

So on this day of days when you hopefully spend time with family and enjoy giving gifts of thanks, remember the tiniest of gifts was given on this day that we all might celebrate the gift of the ages.

Chorus:
I don’t want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me on down
I don’t want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me to the ground

This world keeps making me cry
But I’m going to try, going to try to fly, going to fly high
Don’t want to give into the sin, want to stay in You ‘til the end
Don’t want to lose my sight of You
Don’t want to lose my sight

Chorus

I want to fly
Into the sky
Turn my back on this old world
Leave it all behind
This place is not my home
It’s got nothing for me
Only leaves me with emptiness
And tears in my eyes

Chorus (2x)

Last year I made quite a post about Valentines Day. Typically this is one of those days I strongly dislike. I might would rant about how folks wait for a stupid, commercialized holiday to express the way they feel about someone; and maybe I’m just bitter because I don’t have my princess (yet again) to spend it with.

However, this year is different. I woke up this morning feeling very loved and very much in love. God was gracious this morning and reminded me how much He loves me and how the promises He has made to me are proof of that love. To quote the song, Day Before You, written by Matthew West and made popular by Rascal Flatts:

Oh, but heaven knows those years without you
Were shaping my heart for the day that I found you
And if you’re the reason for all I’ve been through
then I’m thankful for the day before you.

So wherever “you” are today – I’m thankful that God is shaping both of us for each other.

It was then the Spirit reminded me that my Lord and Savior is there to fill me up with a love and a passion that will never expire.

Lord will you please fill me with your passion. Allow me to seek after the things you have for me. Allow me to simply love and never feel “expired”. Until your glorious return.