To passionately pursue and embrace – Philippians 4:8

It is later Thursday evening and my body is exhausted but my mind and heart a very much awakened by a revelation of God.

As I write this I write with much conviction in my own heart of my lack of ‘passionate pursuit and embracing’. It is also my conviction that this is something that we need to do to find fulfillment in Christ Jesus, to whom all glory is due.

To passionately pursue and embrace my sweet Jesus is all my heart longs to do and tonight as I lay awake next to the most beautiful person I know, my wife, God said to me;
“Tim, passionately pursue and embrace what I have given you.”

My mind races and tears begin to well up in my eyes as I realize how much God has given me.

Of course because my flesh can at times get the best of me I begin to think of the “stuff” God has richly blessed me with; job, place to live, cars etc…OH LORD FORGIVE MY SINFUL HEART!

But as I lay in quite, and listened…shhh, just listen…God continued to speak as I asked Him “Lord where do I begin?”

“Philippians 4:8” was the reply, which I felt could have woken up my wonderful wife as I heard it so clearly it could have been audible.

The passage reads; (ESV interpretation)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE, think about such things.”

So I begin (because this will continue) to meditate and this is my conviction:

Oh God by your grace would you allow me the strength and courage to passionately pursue and embrace

Truth – because there is truth, we have the living, breathing, life giving word of God which is true! It is inerrant (meaning perfect and flawless) and I long to continue to passionately pursue and embrace truth.

Honor – Lord give me discernment to know when to repent of pride, but pursue honor for YOUR GLORY and my joy.

Justice – My great God of Justice break my heart for what breaks yours, may I not stand on the sidelines and witness injustice, but for your sake be a voice and a warrior that fights for justice.

Purity – Jesus in a world that is still a ‘perverted generation’ I want to passionately pursue Purity in my marriage, my words, my motive, my life.

Lovely – Lord may I appreciate and embrace all that is lovely in this world and in my life, you blessed us with a world which I play a part in destroying. God may I passionately pursue the cultivation of all that is lovely.

Commendable – God may I live a life that is commendable, and when people witness this they SEE YOU in my life.

Excellence – Jesus you don’t want my leftovers but you long to make and mold me into your image. This is a call to excellence, my God my flesh is far too weak to do this without you but I will passionately pursue and embrace my call to excellence in all I do, for you Kingdom’s sake.

Worthy of Praise – Jesus you are this, and only you are worthy of any praise, so I will passionately pursuer and embrace you my Jesus. You are my every thing; forgive me oh Jesus for the many times when I seek my own praise…YOU ARE WORTHY MY JESUS!

So this is again my heart, may you be challenged to passionately pursue and embrace all that God has given you.
With much love
-Tim