Monday, September 03, 2007

Mom Always Liked You Best ...

Mom always liked you best....

I loved the comedy routine of Tom & Dick Smothers who were very popular when I was a kid. Poor Tom would always lament that "Mom always liked you [brother Dick] best." Tom would always expound the many ways their Mom would show her favoritism to Dick and it was always good for some great belly laughs!
Well, does our Heavenly Father play favorites do you think? I'm thinking if He does Billy Graham, Amy Carmichael or Joseph from the Old Testament must be among His favorites. Did God give them an extra measure of faith? Did God give them something He hasn't given to you or me? Did He love them more than He loves us?
These and other great men and women of faith accomplished so much and brought so many to the cross of Jesus. Many have given their all in service to the King. Why is it that some Christians experience God in a way that others like you and me don't? Why do so many of us struggle in our faith? Where does the difference come from? Is it that God likes them best?
A.W. Tozer says the number one quality of all the giants of the faith is "spiritual receptivity." Each one of those men and women were spiritually receptive to God's voice. This isn't some "extra faith quality" that God gives to a select few because He likes them best.
According to Tozer, spiritual receptivity blends several elements with the soul of the individual. Those elements are:
1. The knowledge of doctrine - principles and position of the Christian faith 2. Theology - the study of God, faith and His relationship with the world, including practice and experience 3. God's precepts - His commands and principals learned through His Word 4. All of the above mixed with our personal experience of God in our lives.

All of these elements are available to you and to me. I must stress that this doesn't mean we know all the answers or for that matter can know all the answers to the questions of the universe! To be spiritually receptive means we are open to what God is showing, teaching and leading us to...and then RESPOND to it. There is a second step that is required...to respond. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Could you be the next Beth Moore? James says God gives generously to all who ask...but once God gives to you....you must respond. God has given you and I all we need....
Will you respond?


MaryAnn

A 31 Day Experience, The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer

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