The Fanatic

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Reading the Bible on the steps of the US Capitol, prayer walking, prayer on the Mall in Washington DC, anointing with oil, laying on of hands,and praying in public are all things I have been blessed to do and will continue to do as God gives me the opportunity. I even got assisted once to get up in a tree to see someone pass by at a rally I attended. I felt like Zaccheus. I am not telling you all this in order to puff myself up,but to make the point that there are individuals who can't understand why someone would do any of these things and even those within the Christian Faith who may think we are a bit on the weird or fanatical side. I say, what it wrong with being a fanatic for Jesus?

I thought about titling this devotion the 'Funatic' because of the joy I get in Jesus presence. Not all days are stellar good days. Each of us has our ups and downs in daily life and can't be expected to constantly have a smile on our face but we need to try. I heard someone say once that some believers look like they were baptized in vinegar. 

Being a Christian is more than a Sunday thing for one tiny hour. It should be your entire life. To love the Lord means just that. It does not mean to be in love with a denomination. There are denominations that are hardly recognizable at showing the traits of Jesus. Each of us needs to pray for wisdom and discernment in our walk with the Lord. 

PRAYER: I thank you for the Bible. I thank you for being free to worship you. I thank you for Christian praise and worship music freely on the radio in my country and some others. Help me not hide my joy or enthusiasm but share your love and joy daily. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Jesus Fanatic? Yes Indeed!

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

A Jesus fanatic could be called someone who loves Jesus more than you do. Now I am not saying that to step on toes but to make us all think about what is so wrong with being crazy over things of the Lord? This Earth is just temporary or as the military says it "We are TDY on earth". For my civilian friends that means on 'temporary duty' as opposed to permanent station. So while we are here we are to be His representatives and not just blend in and not speak out. This does not mean you need to go holler on a street corner but by being a fanatic I simply mean totally in love with Jesus. 

Are you excited about Christ or is Sunday quite enough? During the week do you like to listen to spirit filled Christian radio stations to help build you up or is your media diet a steady stream of secular stuff? For instance do some of the things you listen to or look at make fun of believers? Do you take the time to pray daily and not just a 'God is Great God is good' prayer but really pray? Perhaps if you can not answer yes to some of these questions it is time to rethink your walk with the Lord. Is Jesus really first or just your hobby or a block to check off? 

This week take inventory of your life. What do you need to do to truly be closer to the Lord? Forgive someone? Stop being unloving to a friend or family member? Cease gossip or lies? Now is the time to try to get fanatical about Jesus. He is crazy about you. 

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord for the times I have had wrong thoughts about people or have not shown love to someone who needs it. Forgive me for the days I rush off and forget you. Help me remember to fill my mind with things 'above'. In Jesus' name. Amen.