Are we occasional Christians? Are we occasional in our worship of God? Do we straddle the flaming rift between heaven and earth not knowing which foot to pull up, and which way to lean? Well our God is not a sometimes God, He desires our all, gives us His all, and as the chasm between heaven and earth continues to widen we will reach a point in which we will fall into the pit unless a choice is made. Which will we choose, or will the choice be made for us?
What does our Bible look like? Is it a simple black book with words, or ornate with pictures and such? How too is the cross on which we envision Jesus; is it a simple wooden cross, or ornately designed and built; perhaps even cast in gold? How about our faith? Is it simply in the word of God, or have we massaged it, and improved upon it with additions meant to make it easier on us? In short, have we made God our own, rather than simply being His?
Anger, in and of itself it isn’t necessarily a sin, but unbridled it can lead us to the wide gate of sin, as certainly as the road to righteousness is hard, and the bridge to life is narrow. The way from anger to murder, or hating your brother is an easy walk... so we must always ask ourselves “do you do well to be angry?” Then, If our anger is justified... ask “Do I have it under control?”
When we think of sin in our life we like to attribute it to Satan, but in fact, Satan never forces us to sin... he only leads us through deception and temptation to do those things that are already common to man. The serpent didn’t force Eve to take a bite of the apple... he just lied, and tempted her, and he does the same to us. Yet much of the time we don’t need his tempting lies to fall into our sinfulness... just a small taste of our own desire!
07/11/2019
We are so likely to become discouraged when the storms of life are upon us, but in them we are strengthened by the wind and the hardship. The weak branches break off, and our roots, filled with new moisture, bring forth new growth... all this to better prepare us to withstand what lies ahead. The winds of storms are like pruning sheers, and drought sends our roots deeper in search of new moisture. Don’t let your faith be overcome by adversity it will soon be replaced by new vigor and strength.
Are we satisfied with our bodies and the way that we live? Do we work at improving ourselves in righteousness so that we will not be disappointed by the things we do? Are we living in joy, or is our existence sad and mournful? I ask all of this so that we can answer these questions... would we be embarrassed to ask God to take up residence with us in our bodies, and live side by side with our true thoughts? Would He be as pleased with us as He is with Jesus?
Are you a blessing to the Lord in all the things you do, the praise you give, and the worship to enter into, or do you just do good and moral things? Do you look to God for provision, healing, salvation, enlightenment, and other such blessings, or do you consider these things to be the result of the moral life you lead, and of your own doing? You acknowledge God, you believe Jesus Christ lived, but do you believe that they are just as as alive and active in your life today as in the times of the early saints? What is your expectation of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life?
The world looks at the strength of the faithful, and not only marvels at it, but fears it, and looks for ways to subdue it. When you were first saved, and returned to your everyday life as a changed person, full of a new life and joy, how long did it take before those around you asked what made you so happy, and strong? Then... how long was it before they started trying to stick knives in your faith? Those living without a faith in God and Jesus Christ either want to be like us, or they look to bring us low once again so that they can feel safe in their lack of faith.
Do you pray for your pastor, reverend, priest, or other spiritual leaders, and do you make intercession for them on a regular basis? We are inclined to think that by their position in the church, and the fact that we so often seek their guidance and prayers, that they are above the need for the pitiful prayers of someone such as us... but nothing could be further from the truth.
Does what is happening in the world frighten you? Do you fear for yourself and your family because of the earthly shaking, and evil that surrounds you? Well take heart because we are in the hands of God, and no matter the ominous storms that come racing across the world, He will keep us, and protect us.
Why is it that we look at certain followers of Christ and call them saints, but we are reluctant to refer to ourselves as such? Do you think that sainthood is beyond your reach, or only for some and not others? Well, this is the work of the great deceiver, and sainthood is just as available to you as it was to the apostles, and the early members of the Church. Being a saint should be every Christian’s desire.
Have we confessed our sins, asked forgiveness, and pronounced ourselves believers in Jesus Christ, and yet are not transformed? Do we claim God’s grace, but do nothing more? Well, empty words are like faith without works, hollow and without substance. They are like love without the holding, kisses, and sacrificing of ourselves. We should do more than profess, but live what we have claimed.
Is your faith consistent and always looking out at the sun from the mountaintop, or do you go up the mountain only to slide back down a ways and then begin the climb again? Do you find that you can’t hold onto the joy of those amazing days of faith, and find yourself slipping back towards your old sinful self? Well, maintaining our faith requires us to be more than a pine branch in a fire that pops and cracks as it burns bright for a moment... then dies quickly down.
Do we pray and hear only silence in return? Are we satisfied to live out our spiritual lives in the silence of God? Well this is not what a faithful soul should expect; our lives should be spent seeking, listening, and obeying the voice of God. When we have become content with silence we have become accustomed to being separated from God, and this should be fearful and torturous to us.
In our present time men look to find secrets concerning how Jesus Christ should be worshiped, or some new hidden way of looking at faith that would justify the way we live, but other than by imagined contriving there is no redefinition of truth... no justification for sin, or hidden grace.