Archive for June, 2010

The title of this blog post is also the title of a popular song.  The song is about being in awe of God and worshipping God with all our hearts because He is beautiful beyond description. 

Too often, though, I quietly sing this song about myself.  I never stand in front of the mirror after a shower and sing away, but if my heart were revealed it would be seen and heard singing about me me and me.  

I am all too often concerned about Jim, thinking about Jim, lovin up on Jim Hogue in my heart. 

God says, rather, to love the Lord your God with all your hearts, soul, mind and strength.  I cannot do this on my own.  I need Him, we need Him to help us to love Him. 

This tendency has been more-so revealed lately as I have seen how much I fear man: I want people to think highly me.  My focus is all about how I am perceived, and not really about how God might be glorified or how God is perceived through my life and my words.

Would you pray with me about this.  I don’t believe I am the only person who, in his heart, sings to himself, “I stand in awe of you” nor do I believe that I am the only person who struggles with the fear of man.  Please pray with me that God would do a great work within His church of enabling us to fear Him, not man; to love Him, not praise from man; to seek Him, not high thoughts from people.  Whenever you read this post, please take time to pray that God would eradicate His church of fear of man, that we would live radically for Him and His glory ALONE!

In Him,

Jim

         This past year my credit card was stolen.  I reported it to the authorities in the county my wife and I live in, and shortly thereafter received a subpoena, summoning me recently to the court.  On the day of the trial, as the myriads of possible trials began, I thought, “I am so glad God has saved me from my sins.”  I did not think this because there were people around me who stole, lied, or did illegal substances.  I thought of this because this court room is a little foreshadow of that great Day of Judgment when everyone will give an account to Him who judges justly. 

            The Judge in the courtroom would ask each defendant before proceeding with his or her case, “What is your name, Sir?”  Then accusation after accusation would fly out of people’s mouths into the court room: theft for less than $100, possession of 2 grams of crack-cocaine, fleeing the scene of an accident, etc.  How real these offenses must have been to the people being accused.

            You know what, though?  It will be the same with us, but much more intense and much more real: Jim Hogue, you lied to your mother when you were 15, you lusted after a woman who was not your wife, you did not love your brother in Christ as I told you to, you got angry because traffic wasn’t as uncongested as you thought it should be, etc.  Accusation after accusation after accusation.  These accusations, though, will not be through the lips of a fallible judge, but through the lips of our Holy God who is from everlasting to everlasting.

            The thought of it ought to scare people.  But there is something else to add to this, something that is immensely glorious: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)  Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  So if we believe in Jesus Christ, that He died for the ungodly, we will be saved from His Holy judgment.  The accusation will still be there, but it is no longer counted against us because it was counted against Christ as He hung, suspended for our sins, taking the wrath of God on Himself to save sinners like you and me.

“Holy God in love became,

Perfect man to bear my blame

On the cross He took my sin

By His death I live again”

(Bob Kauflin, Sovereign Grace Music)

            Do you believe in Him?  The Great Judge of all will punish our sins, but He will either punish us for our sins by punishing Christ on the Cross, or He will punish us for our sins in Hell forever.  Which will you want to hear on that Day?: “Guilty” or “Guilty, but the price of your guilt has been paid by My blood!”  Believe!  Believe, friends!

God, ohh God, I pray that readers who do not know You will come to know You as their Lord and Savior.  Open eyes.  Open hearts.  Bring dead souls to life in You.  You are the only One who can do that.  So do it!  Do it!  In Your name, Amen.