"Unite My Heart to Fear Your Name"

Psalm 86:11b "Unite my heart to fear Your Name"

I can't remember a time in my life where I felt so close to one passage of Scripture. It can be difficult looking at a small portions of a verse attempting to find a message in it, but this particular Scripture is loaded with so much. In these 7 words we find two messages. David wanted an undivided heart or to be double minded toward fearing God. He also wanted to respect God with all that he did.

This prayer from David is so easy to relate to as a Christian. None of us want to be double minded toward God, and hopefully we all want to honor (fear, revere, respect) God with our lives. Just to read this passage would cause one to be wowed at David's pursuit of God. But, it's when you consider that Psalm 86 is a lament (plead) to God because so many wanted David killed. It is then when you consider where David was, that you see the awesome power of this prayer, "Unite my heart to fear Your Name."

Above all that David possessed, whether it was his power, kingship, wealth, or status as a great warrior, he loaned to be single minded toward God. He didn't want to be one way with his people and then another way with God. He wanted his whole life to be devoted to pursuing God's truth with a united heart to honor Him.

The success of Christianity in the world is not determined by how well we can be morally. It is so much more than that. The success of Christianity in the world is a condition of individuals hearts. Is my heart united to fear His Name? I sure want it to be! How about you?

100th Article

Psalm 86:11

"Teach me Your way O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, my God with my whole heart and glorify Your Name forever."

In the midst of David having real enemies, enemies that wanted him dead, he still maintained a teachable spirit. He prays to God, "Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth." David's pursuit was truth. Truth was the destination David wanted and he knew only God's way would get him there.

All of us regardless of success or struggles need to be teachable. For us to be teachable means we are humbling ourselves and submitting our lives to a Holy God. David was the most powerful, successful, and wealthiest person on the face of the planet yet he understood the importance of God's truth. David didn't ask God to help him with his problems, he asked God to help him find his way to His truth.

Success, What Is It?

Who doesn't want to be successful? Of course everyone does. Sure there are those who choose to be successful at not being successful but there is still effort involved. The obvious answer to the question, "Success, What is It? Is glorifying God.

Head Coach for the New England Patriots, Bill Billecheck, has one banner message up in their entire complex. It reads, "Do Your Job." The Patriots have the most successful team and organization because of the simple fact that there is one goal for everyone. "Do Your Job!" This doesn't mean if Christians do their job God will let them in His Kingdom. It means that for us to be successful for the Kingdom, we must "Do Our Job." And that is to glorify God in all that we do.

A Revelation

This is no new revelation by any stretch. But for me it went from thought to reality. While basking in the Florida sun, listening to everything from Toby Mac to Kari Jobe this thought came to me. "I know what I want to do, but I don't know how to do what I want to do." Now let me clarify so not to confuse anyone who might read this. I have accomplished things I want to do in the past but I can't count how many things I've wanted to do but just couldn't figure out how to make it happen.

The revelation is that I find myself relying more on God than my own strengths. I had become more self relient on the gifts God had given me to serve, instead of the giver of the gifts. So, now I am trying to ask God how to do what He puts on my heart and make sure the thoughts I have in regards to creativity or future planning are truly from Him. The proof is in the pudding, at least that's what I have heard 100's of times growing up in Alabama. The truth is very few people are successful in the gifts and talents God gives us because we just can't accomplish them on our own. God is wanting us to enjoy Him and the process of seeing a good idea to fruition, for His glory and His praise.

Why Not Give it A Try

Both the girls decided to wake up and I thought, "Why not give it a try." Referring to my old blog that has been abandoned by ME. I stay very busy updating the youth blog so it is hard to get here and not just blabber or embed videos of Mark Driscoll or John Piper. So here I am at 1:45AM typing away with my eyes on the nightstand upstairs.

My blog tonight will be short and precise.

God is faithful. Throw any situation, circumstance, drama, horrific event, tragedy, triumph, prosperity, poverty, sickness, health, family, work, school, and millions more and He is still faithful.

Blog you later!

Blake

Mark Driscoll on Wisdom

Oxygen

There are many valuable things here on the earth and there are many valuable needs as well, but none any greater than oxygen. Without oxygen we would all perish. It doesn't take an expert to come up with this but I want to relate our need for oxygen and the value of it to the gospel. Unlike oxygen, the gospel gives life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). The Bible teaches that anyone who is not in Christ is a spiritual corpse and for anyone who is in Christ (born again) is spiritual resurrected to eternal life.

I posed this question to a friend last night. "How often do you think about the value and need of oxygen." Their response was similar to what I would have said if asked the same question. "I have thought about it, but not often." I then posed the question, "How often do you think about the value and your need of the gospel." The answer was of no shock to me considering the person I was asking the question to was born again. Their response was a resounding, "A lot!"

The quest for those of us who are born again is to share the gospel with anyone and everyone! They, like us, need oxygen to survive and would never argue the point. But, do they know of their need for the gospel? We know those who have not been born again need the gospel more than they need oxygen, and realize that it is God who must awaken their hearts to believe it. Our task is to present the gospel to anyone who will listen as if their life depended on it, and we know that it does.

Finally Alive by John Piper

Finally Alive
What does the Bible teach about the miracle of rebirth? In this new book, John Piper explores Jesus' peculiar command, "You must be born again."
Spiritual rebirth is precious and crucial. When Jesus said, “You must be born again,” he wasn't simply sharing interesting information; he was directing us toward eternal life.
It is essential to know what God intends when he uses this language of being born again, so that we may experience new birth and help others do the same.

Be Courageous Mr. President: John Piper

Flashback from Brooklyn: A Journal from July 2, 2006

At 5am a sudden need to relieve myself turned out to be better than I thought. Don't let me confuse anyone here. After a nice shower I read a scripture that Sandra Sparks was going to pray for me that day. If she only knew the power I felt after reading Psalm 9:11.

"Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

Tell among the peoples his deeds!"

I so badly want to establish an attitude and boldness for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think about Jared and David (2 college missionaries from Auburn) and what they must experience every day. I then think of Laura and Hannah Grace and how much I miss them and love them. I also think of so many people wandering the streets of greater New York City who are lost and hopeless spiritually. Will I, "The Youth Minister," step up and be the brave Christian leader? Or will fear lead me on?

A lot of questions enter my mind this glorious Sunday morning in Brooklyn, NY. Here they are:

1. How will I do as a father?

2. Am I a church planter?

3. Do I truly understand or believe that God is ALL power?

4. Do other around me see this power manifest in my life?

5. Do I live according to 1 Corinthians 13?

6. Do I display true love toward Laura?

7. When will I be a pastor?

8. Have I been called to be a missionary?

9. How many souls will God get through the means of Hannah Grace Mayo? many!

My response to stumbling across this journal: I do realize this article is very transparent but I want to use this to show others that God, right now, is doing amazing things through, in, and for us!