God’s Desire For You
August 12, 2003
Email: David
Benrexi
I greet you in the name of Jesus. How many people are having
growing pains today? I see a few hands. Yes, I see a few
more going up. That's good. Remember, these are GROWING
pains. I don't want the pain to grow. That's not what
I mean! It's just that God wants you to grow (me, too, believe
me!!) and it can be painful.
The best way I know to deal with my pain is to help someone else with
their pain. The more I do that, the less I'm stuck away somewhere
by myself
wondering why I have so much pain. Sometimes it's physical.
Toothaches, back aches, shoulder pain, sensitive feet, belly aches
cause I like to eat things that aren't good for me, and once in a while
I get a headache that's a whopper. I really hate that.
Bad as physical pain can be, emotional pain hurts more.
Loneliness, rejection, big disappointments, getting my feelings hurt
when I thought someone liked me, betrayal, feeling like a failure,
seeing someone I love going through depression and unable to reach
them, losing something or someone I wanted to hold on to.
Sometimes it's hard to love a world that refuses to love you back.
Anyway, whether or not you're having growing pains this minute, or you
just went through something recently, or perhaps there's a trial ahead,
you-know-who loves you. There is always Someone you can take your
troubles to. What's His name? You know!!!!!
Now, do we have any with us here today that like to do the occasional
crossword puzzle? You know "cross" is a very bible word.
And what's a more biblical word than "word". So I know we've got
some crossword enthusiasts here, oh, terrific, I see that hand, now
we're confessing, okay, I see we have more than a few who know what I'm
talking about. Did you know that scientists have declared that
people who do crossword puzzles are less likely to develop Alzheimer's
Disease? It's true. One of the things I look forward to
doing on Sundays is the New York Times and Chicago Times crossword
puzzles that are on the back page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Forum
section. Between the two puzzles is a bridge column.
Somebody told me cards are evil, but I like to play (I'll just do it
'til I need glasses...), and I haven't played bridge for a few years,
but I do enjoy reading the columns. These are disappointing
revelations, I suppose, but that's who I really am. If you like
to do puzzles and need help, you can call me. Not to copunsel you
about how to get free from your puzzle addiction. I'll help you
solve the puzzle, if I can. Even if you don't do puzzles, you can
call. We'll talk about something else.
I'm working on a puzzle, and it's about you. Really. Well, here's
the definition:
God's desire for you.
And here's what we have, so far:
_O_E
A four letter word, second letter O, fourth letter E. Anyone have
the answer. You in the red chair, with the plaid shirt.
What's the answer? No.
That's a good try, but LOVE is not the correct answer. Yes, the
lady in the...what color is that, I'm slightly color blind,
beige? Okay, what is the answer?
HOPE ? Nope, it's not hope. That's a very good guess, but
it's not the right answer. All right, I think someone's got it
now. Who raised their hand first? Okay, Bob from
Oregon. Figures, you'd know. Now I suppose I have to give
you a prize, right? Okay, this is crazy, but I will record a song
this fall, and introduce it by saying: "This song is for Bob from
Oregon." Is that a prize or what? Sorry, I can't give you a
Valmy Thomas rookie card...
Before I tell you the answer, I'd like to share a song, and the answer
is in the song:
I will be there for you/ When you need a hand to hold on to/ When you
need a place where you can cry/ You can always come to Me/ You are My
heart's delight/ You are precious in My sight/ And I want to give to
you/ All the love your heart can hold
This song may be accessed at: www.MyDaddyLovesMe.org.
It is track #10, on 'Pink or Blue?'
And the answer is: God's desire for you COME
He wants you to come to Him so He can ease your pain and fill you with
His love, surround you with His peace, and overwhelm you with His joy.
He's reaching out to you, at this very moment. I want to
encourage you to come. Come to Him. Don't make Him
wait. You're the one He wants. Come to Him.
If you want to share this message with someone for any reason at all,
go ahead. I've got to go now, because my Daddy is beckoning and
I'm being drawn to Him. Resistance is impossible. Be
blessed!
--David Benrexi
|