Troubles are a part of our lives. In daily life we face many trials, but as Christians and believers in God the Father, we face them from a point of great advantage and strength. We find confidence in God's ability to bring us through them, and they strengthen our faith, but what of the good times?
We share in the death and resurrection of Jesus to obtain salvation, but we also share in the life of Christ, and that gives us great joy, peace, and holiness in our everyday lives. How can we be Christian and not manifest The essence of His living?
We will all be resurrected into judgement, so is our conscience clear as we live out ourlives in faith? This morning I am concerned with allowing my own conscience to help guide me in following God's commandments, and preparing me for judgement.
Are there places that I don't feel at home with God? This is my morning thought. My goal in faith is to be comfortable with God wherever I am and in whatever circumstance I find myself in... so how do I get there?
Do we know what love is, and do we understand the depth to which it should be applied to those around us? This is my contemplation this morning, and that I truly show the love of Jesus Christ.
Do you practice your faith? Do you add to it each day and make what you had from the day before a reflex? Becoming ingrained in our faith and deepening it over time requires us to practice what we hear preached, and what we have learned.
Does God reveal Himself to you each day? If you are anticipating a revelation of God, you are more than likely going to receive it. Looking for God implies that He is central to your life, and has replaced self as the driving force in your life.
Hold your spiritual ground. Do you have the patience to wait as God prepares you to be used by Him to complete His will? Do you exhibit the endurance of Sardis in keeping God's commandments and Word?
Placing our relationship with Jesus above all others in our life. Is this something that you are willing, or able, to do? Could you walk away from home and family if Jesus asked you to "follow me, and I will make you fishers of men"?
You don't so much find Jesus through scripture, but rather the scripture through Jesus. Have you been stuck in studying the scripture to the point that you have never truly meet the living Christ? Once you have met Him, He will bring the scripture alive, and set you free.
Salvation... living our lives as God expects... this is just too hard and no one can possibly accomplish such a thing. I can never be saved! Is this the way you think about judgement and what will become of you? Well, rejoice, because there is hope and judgement lies just ahead.
Do you command the promises of God be fulfilled? Is your assurance in God's word more than humble faith in His Word? Is your expectation that He honor His contract with you by the terms as you understand them? Well, perhaps you should take a step back.
When we make intercessory prayer for those around us, is our own sympathy for them getting in the way of effective prayer? Are we putting our own desires for them between ourselves and God?
When we follow God are we close enough to actually see Him? When we look ahead can we see Him walking with Jesus as He leads us on? Paul spoke of seeing "Him who is invisible", do we?
This morning I am contemplating a rather convicting subject. I am asking myself a couple of questions regarding my ability to serve the Lord in obscurity. Can I do the work of my calling without a grand moment of inspiration from God? And, is my work dependent on His making a show of my service?