Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Mercy Not Sacrifice


Matthew 9:13, 12:7 - But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. But if you had known what this means, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the guiltless. 
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

But go and learn what this means...if you had known what this means...

It is clear that God does not desire our sacrifices, our works, for His approval for our salvation. He wants to give us mercy when we first come to Him. It's not about what we can do for Him but what He has done for us. Our works are sort of like our boasting in what we've done. We can do nothing on our own to receive the life Jesus gives to us when we come to Him.

Webster's definition of mercy: kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly; kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation. Boy, that describes all of us before receiving Christ. Then there's Webster's definition of sacrifice: the act of giving up something that you want to keep especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone; an act of killing a person or animal in a religious ceremony as an offering to please a god. Animals for sacrifice in the Old Testament had to be spotless. The one bringing the animal had to kill it, so it became personal.  Look at Jesus. He was spotless. God allowed Him to be killed. And Jesus was quite personal to His Father, God...

Scripture shows us we cannot come to God as righteous, guiltless individuals. That's not why Jesus came. He came to save the lost, not those who thought they had it altogether. It would be arrogant to think one might be able to clean oneself up by doing good to be received by God. Oh....we are not to be received by God but we are to receive Christ.  We come as sinners through repentance of our sins and receive His mercy and grace. The sacrifices that were done in Old Testament times are over. Jesus became our sacrifice.

But go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice! Hebrews 9:9 tells us the sacrifices were only symbolic of what was to come. He requires us. Like Jesus sacrificed Himself, His body, so should we. He wants our heart and soul. He desires we be open to receive Him and His Word, take it into our hearts and obey it. Without this understanding all some do is sacrifice by works which will not be acceptable. It may be one reason He says the road is narrow that leads to life. By faith we we receive His mercy; by that faith in God's power to grant mercy, not faith in our works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Monday, March 30, 2015

New Beginnings

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

At church yesterday Pastor Terry Fischer preached on In His Presence. A good word. For some reason the last scripture reference caused me to tune out for a bit (sorry, Pastor) and caused me to jot some notes. 

It's always about a beginning. Everything has one. God was our beginning. Our lives are because of His beginning. It all started with God...who created. We were born to meet God. That was the Old Testament. There was a beginning but there also was a temporary end. God stopped speaking through the prophets. 

Then we see a new beginning in the New Testament. 

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

This new beginning would lead to a new birth, new life, even new death in the form of one Man, Jesus Christ. His birth was the promise of a new eternal life. God made flesh. A holy God come down from heaven to live among sinful men. The same God who created all things now would come to redeem fallen man...if they would believe and receive Him. God was not dead, just remaining silent for awhile. Perhaps it was to set the stage for those rebellious people, bent on turning away from Him. In the New Testament His plan was resuming. 

I think about the Old Testament and how God could only reveal Himself through certain people. Through their voices, their writings...because at one point in Old Testament history they opted not to hear God's voice because it was too frightening. (And I think back to Adam and Eve who walked with Him and communed with Him.) How things changed.

Now He came to reveal Himself again, to spread the good news, the Gospel, of what He could do, what He has always wanted. He came in the flesh to personally speak to the people. He came to prove He was God that man's eyes, ears and hearts would be open to receive Him. We are born to this world to meet God. We are reborn in the Spirit when we meet Jesus. 

He was the beginning in creation, the beginning as the Word. He will be the very last also at His return. 

What an amazing history that continues day by day...that the story of this one Man would still continue, will never be forgotten, will never die and will continue to bring new life to any who will submit to calling Him their Lord and Savior. Praise His name. 

This is why I write. His Gospel is good news. Oh He has His words of judgment. That is to humble us, to see how fallen we truly are and to show just what He can do. He is good news to those will allow His words to pierce ears, eyes and heart. He who was in the beginning. The beginning and the eventual end. The same yesterday, today and forever. Fullness of joy in those who receive. 

Oh, the testimonies of those who follow You. Let those words sink deep into hearts, minds, souls of those perishing for lack of knowledge. Amen! Thank You for staying true to Your Word and the years of testimony.

1John 1:1-4 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we 
declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our 
fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 

Friday, March 27, 2015

In Christ

Galatians 2:20-21 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Sometimes it's hard to wrap my head around something. 

Some believe that we, on our own merits, are good people and therefore do not need to follow God. After all, we might believe, it's our good works He will recognize and that's how we will be accepted by God. After all, we surmise, most others think like this and often avoid this "relationship" with Him others seem to want to impress upon us.

Wanna know the truth? That's all wrong. I believed that lie just like most people do. 

I got to thinking about how so totally ugly, evil and self-centered man is. This includes myself. But one day nearly 16 years ago that changed. I'm still basically evil and always will be here on earth. But here's the difference. I am now in Christ. In Christ...and He in me. That makes all the difference. God does not see the old me anymore. 

Christ is the Mediator between God and man. Without this Mediator God sees us with all our sin. When we come to Christ, however, and He comes to live in me and I in Him, God only sees that Mediator. He sees Christ first then sees me in Christ. I am nestled within Him spiritually. While I still sin, being in this earthly human body, spiritually I am in Christ. This is what I have trouble wrapping my head around sometimes. He only sees me in Christ. He only sees His only perfect, Holy Son who died for me. 

Jesus shed His blood on the cross for each of us and when we choose to follow Him, to die to ourselves like He died to Himself here on earth, He becomes our righteousness. We cannot be righteous on our own, only through Christ. His blood has covered our sins, has washed away those sins that we be like Christ. 

In the Old Testament the people brought animals to sacrifice for the atonement of their sins. These people would be responsible for slitting the animal's neck that the blood would run out all over their hands. They would become so much a part of this sacrifice...but the animal, for the time being, was the temporary atonement for their sin. 

Does this remind you of anything? Does it remind you of Jesus whose body was bloodied by man's hand? Does it remind you that it is because of our sin that He had to die? Does it remind you that each of us should have died instead of Him? Does it remind you of the purpose for His death, for each of us? Does it remind you that with His death all who would receive Him would also have their sins atoned for by His precious blood? The only difference is His death was once for all unlike the constant animal sacrifices prior to Him. But it's about that blood. 

In Egypt the Jews were told by God to sacrifice a lamb and take the blood and place it on either side and atop the door that He might prevent their deaths when He came through Pharaoh's land to kill all firstborn children as a judgment upon Pharaoh for his treatment and captivity of God's people. That was a prophetic act to the Lamb of God who would one day take away the sins of the world, whose blood would cover the doors of our hearts against eternal death. 

When we receive Christ, not just know who He is, we become one with Him. I in Him, He in me. The righteousness of Christ. God only sees that righteousness. God only sees His Son. He stands between His Father and us, if we have received Him to ourselves. Imagine that if you can....

Colossians 1:21-22 - And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Testify and Glorify

John 20:26-29 - And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you." Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED.”

Thomas was the doubting disciple. He had been with Jesus for three years, watched Him perform miracles of all kinds, listened to His wise words, rebukes, watched this humble Man who had such authority. Yet Thomas had a hard time believing his Lord had returned. He needed proof.

Sometimes we all need to see to believe. And that's okay. Jesus didn't reprimand Thomas.

While I've seen the Lord at work in the past, especially the day I received Christ as my Lord and Savior, I saw the Lord at work this past week in some pretty incredible ways. My sister in law and I traveled together to pack up our mother in law's winter home in Puerto Rico. We knew we were in for a full week. We couldn't have imagined all we would encounter!

The Lord was with us every step of the way, probably even when we didn't realize it. He provided what and who we needed, what others needed. We saw grateful hearts, made new friends, wept tears of both amazement and joy, provided strength and wisdom. And while He was working with us and in us and in the hearts of others, I knew He was still working all around the world (even within our family and the business). He has so much to offer all people; more than we can imagine. These are the words of my pastor, Terry Fischer: "If you chase God, He will let you catch Him!" He is well worth seeking. Who wouldn't want the truest of His blessings? Who wouldn't want His presence as we seek?

This is my shortened testimony. It all happened to the glory of God. We could not glory in our own accomplishments. He made us capable of this task, through Him. He worked in and through us...probably more through my sister in law than me, but I saw and also experienced. I became a stronger person because of it, not only spiritually but physically since the things I had to do, over and above my normal routine, did not bring on any adverse affects as evidenced by an extremely clean bill of health from my chiropractor when I came home! 

I would love to go into detail, but this is enough to say. It took days to condense my thoughts, which I'm not always good at! If you want more info, I'd be glad to talk...or supply more. Just let me know.

I will end with this: What an amazing, awesome God He is. Bigger and greater than we can imagine. Praise His name! It's times like this we can grasp hold of and know He is alive and real. While we did not see Him in the flesh nor touch His scarred hands, we knew His presence. The words we spoke to ourselves frequently and to others throughout the week as we saw things unfold before our tear filled eyes were: this is no coincidenceAnd others agreed. I will praise His name now, again!

1Peter 1:8-9 - [Jesus Christ]...whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 

Monday, March 16, 2015

How Will You Feel?

Mark 13:7-8 - But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen...These are the beginnings of sorrows. 

There are signs all around us. I won't go into detail. Just know that this is March 2015! What's on the news these days?

My prayer these days has been, "Lord, give me strength to endure whatever lies ahead. Grant me Your peace that passes all understanding." He has told us that in Him we can have these things. I and many others have said we can't imagine going through illness, death of a loved one, financial strife, any sort of great loss, without knowing Jesus. Who does one turn to? Who has the power to heal not only bodies but spirits and minds?

I read this this morning too:
Our Lord teaches us to look things full in the face. He says--"When you hear of wars, don't be scared." It is the most natural thing in the world to be scared, and the clearest evidence that God's grace is at work in our hearts is when we do not get into panics. Our Lord insists on the inevitableness of peril. He says, "You must lay your account with war, with hatred, and with death." Men may have lived on disturbed over a volcano for a long while, when suddenly an eruption occurs. Jesus Christ did not say – "You will understand why war has come," But – "Don't be scared when it does come, do not be in a panic." It is astonishing how we ignore Jesus Christ's words. He said that nations would end in war and bloodshed and havoc. We ignore His warnings; and when war comes we lose our wits and exhibit panic. - Oswald Chambers

Where will you turn in the beginning of sorrows. Who will you put your trust in--especially if all your earthly sources have faded away? Our God has told us He will always be here and He is always wanting all people to call on Him. It's never too late! 

Matthew 10:30-40 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 
 

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Only One Gospel


Galatians 1:6-10 - I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 

Jesus only preached the truth and as I've said many times it was not always an easy word. Many turned from this Man who could do miracles. Once the miracles were accomplished and His difficult words spoken, some no longer wanted to listen. They only wanted the physical things, not the spiritual.

Jesus offered eternal life; they wanted what they could see now. They listened to the Pharisees who grumbled, complained and went against He who stood for truth and righteousness.

If we are to emulate Jesus we must also speak the truth, as hard as it is. Jesus did not come to sugar coat His Gospel. He came to show us right from wrong, heaven from hell, obedience over sacrifice. He wanted relationship over religion. He came to show how the laws they tried to live by (religion) would never earn their way to heaven, but turning to Him and believing in Him (relationship) would.

Do I seek to please man or God? I know there are times I fail but I want only to please God. I want to serve Him, not man. Does what I do please Him or man? It can please man if it comes from the heart of God.

We must be discerning in who or what we listen to. The History Channel, Discovery Channel or Hollywood movies are not always the place to understand God. The Bible is. If what anyone says does not line up with what the Word says, it's suspect.

1Timothy 6:3-5 - If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.


Saturday, March 7, 2015

The Command of the Lord

Numbers 9:18 - At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped.

At the command of the LORD. While some may argue that God is a dictator telling us what to do and believe in His Word through the Commandments or parables of Jesus or accounts from Old Testament to New Testament, God has never changed and His ways are right and just...for a very good reason. The Father knows best.

Numbers 9:18 tells us pretty much the same thing: So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the LORD they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the LORD they would journey. And verse 23: At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 

Whenever the children of Israel did what was commanded they were well taken care of. Again, God has not changed. When we heed His commands, let Him be our guide, He blesses us. In the same manner, when we pick and choose what in the Bible we want to believe we fall under disobedience. So, I guess anyone who chooses not to believe the Bible in its entirety is being disobedient. 

That's not an easy word and can be construed as offensive...and we all fail at perfect obedience...but there were a lot of people who didn't like what Jesus had to say and look where He ended up. It was still all part of God's plan for sinful humanity. While some might disagree with the Bible, they can be forgiven if they turn from those beliefs and turn to God! That's where Jesus came in...He forgave all those who persecuted Him. Praise the Lord! 

This is what happened when Israel listened to God: When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. (‭Numbers‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬)  He rewards us for our obedience often in ways we do not always recognize. 

But here's the other side! Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. (‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬)  Time after time, the LORD relented out of mercy for His children. This doesn't mean if we deliberately live as we desire and assume He will always forgive it will be fine. 

Later in Numbers Moses pleaded with God to forgive these ungrateful people for their desire for meat over manna. Long story short, God relented and gave them what they desired...in abundance...so much so some became ill and died because the people had yielded to craving. Our desires are not always God's for our lives. He does know best. It has been said He will turn us over to those desires in time if we continue in disobedience (Romans 1:24).

We are encouraged throughout the Word to follow Him. Moses implored a man to go with them to a land God promised to them. He said this: And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you. (‭Numbers‬ ‭10‬:‭32‬)  Followers of Christ implore others to do the same for the same results, whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you. We can all share the goodness of our God together. He has a lot to offer and the giving will not run out. It is why we share the Gospel. 

Psalm 31:7-8 - I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. 

Friday, March 6, 2015

anger, Favor, Joy

Psalm 30:5 - For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. (‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (‭1John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬)
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭4‬)
For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. (‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬)
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory...(‭2Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬)

We can claim all these promises when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, confess our sins, serve Him. His anger subsides when we do this. His favor is then on us. What He does and says is true and just. He does not--cannot--lie.

For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (‭Psalms‬ ‭47‬:‭2‬)


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Benefits of Salvation

Psalm 30:2 - O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.

I've heard several people desire for God's physical healing in their lives. They may be troubled by chronic pain or illness. God can heal these things but everything is in His time. We are still to pray for it. However, He may choose not to. All for His good reason...

The Apostle Paul suffered some unknown affliction. He'd had visions of heaven but was not allowed to share them because they were not to be known. Yet God had allowed only him this privilege. Imagine the wonderful feeling of being given this special right. In this case God allowed an affliction to keep him humble through it all. 

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (‭2Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7-10‬)

There's the reason behind whatever it was that troubled him,  that God's grace and strength is sufficient in our weakness. Praise God. While I am weak I may be strong...through Him. And that I may not boast in myself but in the Lord.

I look at this verse and think of the very first time we call out to God. We are in a place where we recognize only He can do something for us. We end up calling to Him for salvation. Only He could do this. No one else can save us; we cannot do it ourselves.

And what do we receive first and foremost? Healing of our heart and soul...ultimate healing that only comes when we call out to Jesus, recognize our sinful nature, repent of our sins. We may need help in some physical healing immediately that we may continue in our pursuit of God. It helps us recognize what only He could do. But healing the heart and soul are the most important. They are the greatest benefits of our salvation.

If we are constantly "plagued" with some affliction we are to maintain an attitude of praise to God, even boasting of this affliction. He may be doing an even greater work in us, if only keeping our eyes focused on Him. ...yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. (‭2Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬)

Remember, Jesus bore all our diseases and iniquities on the cross. We are to be thankful He has the power over those people or diseases that can take our physical bodies but not our spiritual if we are in ChristLook at what He will do if you ask Him to become your Savior:

Psalm 103:2-4 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies...

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Idols??

Leviticus 26:1 - You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

What is your idol? It doesn't need to be the things listed above although God is warning His people not to bow to any of those things listed. What do you put before God? Your children? Your family? Your job? Your hobbies? Your sports? Your television? Your iPhone or iPad? Your food? The list can go on. 

We can all learn from this, including me. What is the first thing we do when we arise in the morning? What's the first thought? Who's the first thought?

If our first thought is not of God, our gratefulness for yet another day that He has given us, another day to hear from Him, we have idols. He is to be the Lord our God. Tomorrow can be a new day to begin this. 

I was at a memorial service the other day. This woman lived for God in the smallest of details. The pastor said something that really impacted me. He said she was always busy doing something. A neighbor and her children attested to this. Always busy. She always maintained a calm demeanor and peace. She always had a smile on her face. Despite it all, he went on to say, she was never distracted from God. How easy it can be to become distracted from the most important part of our life. 

The pastor admitted he hasn't been able to achieve this. It was as if she just walked side by side with the Lord. If that's the case I know she was praising Him with every step she took. I myself had heard her do that. She may have been a perfect example (though she was not perfect, something she'd confessed to me a couple times!) of one not having made idols for herself. He was the Lord her God. 

She was strengthened by His might and given peace and joy in the midst of troubles. He was her Rock. She was by no means without trials. As the pastor said, He walked with her in the midst of them. (Like the three young men in the fiery furnace.) That is why she was able to withstand them. Nothing came between her and her Savior. What an example. She endured to the end and is no doubt before her Jesus now worshiping Him. [He was to her] the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭13‬) 

Just as He is to be our first thought in the morning, He should be our last thought at the end of the day.

Time to tear down those idols...

Isaiah 44:8 - Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Forever Grateful

1John 4:19 - We love Him because He first loved us. 

Where in any other religion does a god seek us first out of pure love? In what other religion does their god purposely come from a heavenly throne to live on earth in human form just for the purpose of dying that lives might be saved? 

We sang a song this morning that so resonated with my experience of receiving Christ. It was like a renewal of my gratefulness to Him. I've said this before. There are days when I go back to the day when without realizing it God was seeking me. And while He was I was pushing Him away. Pushing hard. After all, why did I need Him? I knew who He was. 

I was lost. 

Here are the words to this older worship song. You can listen too if you wish. 

Verse
You did not wait for me
To draw near to You
But You clothed Yourself in frail humanity
You did not wait for me
To cry out to You
But You let me hear Your Voice calling me
Chorus
And I'm forever grateful to You
I'm forever grateful for the Cross
I'm forever grateful to You
That You came
To seek and save the lost
In the Old Testament God sought Israel as His own. He had brought them out of captivity from Egypt. They saw all the miracles He had done. They followed Him for a time then somehow forgot all the good He did. They turned their backs on a God who loved them so much. 
In the New Testament, because His people had forsaken Him, He sent His Son to seek and save the lost. Still wandering aimlessly, mankind needed a Savior. God still has a great love for His own chosen people, the Jews, but He has used the Gentiles of this world to bring salvation to the Jews. He still loves them...but He loves us too. 
Our God chose to come to this earth, to live only 33 years and spend 3 of those years preaching about Himself and showing us more miracles, that we might see and believe. And yet we still, for the most part, fail to recognize the significance of this great God we have. Maybe it's because we cannot see Him physically, like a sports hero, musician or someone we hold in very high esteem. But that's where faith comes in...and maybe the stumbling block to coming to Christ.

We might be taking Him for granted. We have lived without thought of Him, as though He were non-existent. Imagine if you were a parent whose children wanted nothing to do with you. Imagine what God goes through day after day, year after year, and has for thousands of years...yet He still loves them enough to send His Son to die for them. He is our Heavenly Father. The Father that should mean more than our earthly one.
I was like this more than half my life. Then one day this God whom I had wanted nothing to do with, who loved me still despite it all, chose to get my attention. And I still balked for a moment. And unknowingly the next day I crumpled under the power of the Holy Spirit, heard God's plea for me, and gave myself over to Him. I am forever grateful, as the words of the song spoke again to me this morning. Those words took me right back to what I couldn't explain then, but understand now.
He didn't wait for me to draw near to Him. He didn't wait for me to cry out to Him. I may  never have. But 2,000 years ago before most of humanity would even exist, He came and lived and died...for all of us. Not that we can just take that thought and say, Oh, good, I'm safe and on to heaven because He died for all mankind. I will just accept that. No, there's a condition. He died for all who would receive Him as Savior. If we do not commit ourselves, we remain lost. 

He's still seeking. He's still wanting to save the lost. If you have never outwardly made a decision to receive Christ, maybe it's time. Maybe He's calling out to you like He did me. Maybe these words will be the step that puts you in a position to hear His voice. If there's a gripping in your heart, it might be Him. Heed the voice and receive.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (‭1John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬, 2Corinthians 9:15)