So, are you an Apple user or an Android user? Regardless, have you noticed what I’ve figured out? As soon as you update your device, you’re made aware of the latest and greatest? New features. Better camera. Faster processing. Greater connectivity.
Technology is a fast-paced industry. Frankly, it affects pretty much everything in our lives. Things would really change if all our technology suddenly stopped working. For example, with an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) or a Geomagnetic storm. Thankfully, that’s not the norm.
Regardless, life is so much more than technology. In fact, I suggest the latest and greatest you can experience in life is found in God. Let’s explore.
The Latest And Greatest
People have an unquenchable thirst for more. They want the latest and greatest. What was amazing decades ago is “old news” now. And what was shocking and unacceptable years ago is tolerated as the new norm now. Sometimes, a new norm is established just because people don’t speak up about what’s acceptable and what’s unacceptable. That doesn’t seem right.
Interestingly, folks tend to go after the latest and greatest without always considering if it’s the best option. How is it that people keep pursuing this unquenchable thirst for things, experiences, entertainment . . . and become numb to things that deserve attention?
Insatiable Desires
Come to think of it, continual pursuit of the latest and greatest is a kind of lustful hunger – always a thirst for more. Perhaps, filling this void with the latest and greatest the world offers is why people don’t hunger and thirst after God so much. However, Scripture says God should be first priority. He’s what you need most. Plus, God is the best thing for you. (Articles about First-Most-Best)
Heb. 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He is dependable, loving, kind, powerful, and very good. However, there’s a subtle message in Jesus’ “sameness.” Simply put, since He doesn’t continually change in a world that hungers and thirsts for the latest and greatest, He becomes “yesterday’s news.” An old thrill. A forgettable past.
Realistically, this is totally not true! Actually, His “sameness” is the very guarantee of hope. At the same time, Jesus is continually fresh, new, fulfilling, and healing.
Remarkably, Scripture also announces when you trust and obey the Lord with all your heart, when you love Him more than anything else – something changes inside you. Your life begins transformation. Astonishingly, you begin to see a forever latest and greatest each day – often in little ways. Yet, it’s much different than the latest and greatest this world offers.
Because Jesus never changes and because He is fresh, new, fulfilling, and healing, He rarely does something the same. He’s creative. As He interacts in your life, He opens new possibilities. Then, He transforms you.
So – go after the latest and greatest in Jesus!
Let’s ponder:
A person who hungers and thirsts for the latest and greatest in Christ would be –
- Satisfied – if they fill up with more of God.
- Content – if they pursue what is good and right based on God’s Word.
- Personally blessed – if they develop excellent character and admirable conduct.
These three focuses fill the great void of the human soul because they are all found in Christ.
God Gives You The Latest And Greatest
It’s hard for people to accept God is the only source that gives the latest and greatest the human heart longs for. This happens through who He is and what He does.
Who He Is and What He Does
2 Pet. 1:3,4 says – “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
What an amazing passage!
These 10 points explore practical application of these verses in your life:
Do you ever lack what’s needed to live a healthy life?- God claims His power gives you everything you need.
- He says His provisions come as you get to know Him increasingly.
- Further, God calls you into special purpose in life.
- Interestingly, He wants to share His own glory (who He is) and goodness (what He does) with you.
- Additionally, God – through His glory and goodness – gives you promises to fortify your life.
- Interestingly, God attaches adjectives to His promises – “very great” and “precious.” As you see His promises the same way, His Word becomes an Alive and Active Life.
- Remarkably, claiming these very great and precious promises puts you on the path to know God.
- Unbelievably, God wants you to – participate in His Divine Nature. How stunning! Literally, to participate in His essence.
- Equally, it’s through His very great and precious promises you escape sin and the world’s corruption.
In other words, this progression is how you become who God designed. You connect with your original purpose by pursuing who God is and what He does.
God Is Amazing!
It’s absolutely true. God is amazing!
- He never fails.
- Loving kindness pours out from Him.
- His mercies are new every morning.
- Always, He’s the Friend you can count on.
- Because He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever – He’s the latest and greatest you can ever pursue.
- But, He is also full of mystery and unknowns.
- So creative and ingenious is God, that the universe is His canvas and His imagination is His palette.
- God loves you unconditionally.
- He has no limits, boundaries, or weaknesses.
- His heart is totally – always – “for you!”
- And so much more.
Out of absolutely NOTHING, God created everything. When is the last time you met someone who can do that? David Copperfield? Nope. Harry Houdini? Not a chance.
People in today’s world need to see God more accurately. Perhaps, rather than endless pursuits of the world’s latest and greatest, they’d find their needs fully met in God. What a surprise to find one’s heart full of purpose and joy. Content. Peaceful. Blessings in the presence of troubles and problems.
Interestingly, God actually makes sense – though you can’t understand Him. In many ways, God seems like an oxymoron. Yet, He, alone, satisfies the hunger and thirst of the human soul.
Connecting With The Latest And Greatest
Relationship with God is the most fulfilling, meaningful way to live. Nothing is more desirable once you’ve begun to know God. He quenches deep thirst and fills hunger of your soul.
Scripture encourages you to ” . . . seek His face.” Again, amazing! The greatest Being ever wants a close, intimate relationship with you . . . face to face . . . eyeball to eyeball. You can look at God by faith and see “Father.” Plus, He gives His very own Spirit to live in your heart – God inside you – when you trust Jesus for eternal life and forgiveness of sins.
To live for Christ requires something on your part. Here are seven points that connect you with blessing.
Seven Key Points of Living In Christ:
- Jesus Christ brings freshness to life.
- Start with Jesus in quiet moments to find something new – before a day takes off at neck-breaking speed.
- Finish your day in the fulfilling comfort of a love that will never end.
- Trust your broken heart to Jesus for healing.
- Open your heart to God’s creativity as you solve problems and face troubles.
- Tap into possibilities God opens in situations that seem impossible.
- Be transformed into the person God created.
Application Thoughts And Questions
Do you find yourself pursuing the latest and greatest in the world?- Are you satisfied with God? Have you welcomed Him to fill the hunger and thirst in your life? In loss, loneliness, disappointment, hopes, dreams, health, relationships?
- Have you opened your heart to the seven key points that become blessings in your life?
- Freshness
- Newness
- Fulfillment
- Healing
- Creativity
- Possibilities
- Transformation
- Have you opened your life to God’s glory and goodness?
- Why not pursue deeper relationship with God? Discover the latest and greatest in Him.
- During days of suffering and hardship, turn to Jesus for “very great” and “precious” promises.
- Finally, do you participate in God’s Divine Nature with all your heart by faith?
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