Do you celebrate the great things you do for the Lord? Is your life dedicated to accomplishing those tasks that you feel will advance the Kingdom of God? Well my friend the things of real value to our Father are not about what we do for our faith, but in maintaining a good relationship with Him, and allowing His work to flow through us.
How strong is your belief in Christ? Have you grown in your faith to the place where those things that are not seen leave shadows before you? Is heaven as real as the home you return to each night? When Jesus holds your hand can you feel the warmth of the blood coursing through it?
How is your life in Christ? Before you answer this question answer another... "how often do I pray?" We think that our life with Christ is robust because of the things we do, and yet we have not humbled ourselves before Him in prayer; our relationship is starving.
In Nashville we had a total eclipse of the sun this year (2017), and although it took a while to reach the totality, or period the of time in which the moon totally covers the sun, the totality itself lasted for two minutes or less. Quite often the period of time God shines His light of opportunity in our lives is short as well. If we miss the chance to see or to act upon the calling which God presents us, we may never experience that opportunity again.
Do you know the peace of Jesus Christ? When your life is being torn apart by calamity do you find rest and peace in Him? In Christ we find a peace unlike any other; not the carefree blue sky feeling of the trouble free, but the deep and abiding peace given in the midst of chaos. A peace that defies all understanding.
Today I celebrate my wife's birthday. I have lived with her longer than any other human being on earth, and in that time I have loved her without reservation. My love for her forms one of the foundation stones of my life, and like my love for Jesus Christ, it rests firmly upon God himself.
Are you prepared to pray? By that I mean, are you prepared to pray and receive the blessing of which you speak with God? So often we come to the Lord unprepared; living one life and praying as if we lived another.
Do you have a secret garden? You know, a secret place that you retreat to when you need to do some serious thinking? How about a quiet place where you go to be alone with God? Is it a place you can get to quickly and often? Is it away from all distractions? Do you begin your day there?
Do you have an inkling of worthiness? Do you feel that you are owed forgiveness or that in some way you deserve to receive Jesus? If so then you are not prepared for His coming or the arrival of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist knew what it felt to be unworthy.
The strongest people I know are poor in spirit. This life was not chosen for them, but they chose it for themselves. Do you know such people? Are you one of them? Perhaps you are wondering what I mean by this.
We say we are Christians but continue to live our lives of faith like suits of clothes; we treat our belief in Christ lightly and only let it brush up against our skin, when we should actually be taking Jesus into our very being, our hearts, making our faith like the communion meal reveals... part of us.
Are there things in your life that distract you from focusing on Jesus Christ? You know the ones... an unresolved argument that worries and distracts you during prayer, a problem with your home or automobile that nags at you when you sit to read and study scripture, or perhaps too many planned activities in your day that tempt you to place them before worship. Is this your life?
Are you sad today? I am referring to the sadness that occurs when we realize that Jesus is asking us to let something go that we believe we are unable to give up or that is impossible for us. Perhaps it is our wealth, but just maybe it is our poverty.
Would you recognize the voice of Jesus if you heard it? If He called your name would you know it was Him that called you? Probably not, but if, in an instant, He revealed all the moments in which He came to you in your life you would realize it was Him.
We all need to have a personal relationship with God, not just be casually aquatinted, but to know each other intimately. Is your faith the product of listening to others or do you have personal experience with God?