Are You Still Sucking Your Thumb?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

Do you ever see a toddler still sucking their thumb or even a young elementary school child? This habit started as an infant and was allowed to continue until, the child is growing up still sticking his or her thumb in their mouth for security. Unless this gets under control the child remains a child in many ways.

Many adults who are Christians may be still 'sticking their spiritual thumbs' in their mouths. In other words maybe you know the "now I lay me down to sleep prayer", hear Psalm 23 routinely read at funerals, know John 3:16 but that is about the extent of it. To grow up in Christ and become mature and not keep sucking your thumb you have to dig deeper and go beyond the basics. It is not the rabbi, priest, or pastors job to spoon feed you but when you leave church you have to do your part to get off the pacifier.

First make sure you have asked Jesus to be Lord and savior. When I became born again in 1975 I craved reading the word. It became my life blood so to speak. Prior to this I had gone to church and done all the right things but was not excited about Jesus. So how about it? Time to mature in Christ? Start reading the book of John in New Testament and see how your life changes. 

PRAYER: I choose to go beyond just the basic Bible knowledge of my childhood years. I love your word Lord and I want to feed myself and not need a baby bottle or my thumb anymore. I will not allow Satan to make me complacent about things of the Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Lost And Found

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  1 Corinthians 1:18

Every one reading this today probably has lost an item in their lifetime. Who hasn't? It is frustrating to say the least. To be 'lost' in the spiritual sense is to not know Jesus as Savior and have Him as Lord of your life. Many mainstream church members think being a member of a church is their ticket to heaven when in fact that has nothing to do with loving Jesus or entering heaven when we die. It makes you a participant of your church but has nothing to do with your intimate personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

To not be 'lost' you have to ask the Lord Jesus to come into your life and take control. No more playing church on Sunday or simply going to a dead church just because your family took you there as a child or that is the denomination you are accustomed to. You do not inherit heaven but have to find Jesus on your own. You surrender your life to Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart and take control. This does not mean you have a perfect life but once He is on the throne of your heart your desires are more about Him and less about you.

If you are not sure if you have Jesus living in your heart say this simple prayer. "Lord Jesus I love you and need you in my life. I am sorry for my sins and I want you to come inside and live in me. I choose to surrender my life to you. You have the controls." 

Once you become 'found' your desires change. I know I hungered immensely for God's word and wanted to go to a church where things were alive for Jesus and not about church committees and infighting. I knew I wanted to grow in Christ and let Him have control. Hopefully this is your desire too if you have not already asked Him into your heart do it today! 

PRAYER: Lord you are good all the time. I am so thankful to have you in my heart. I pray for those people who have a religion but no relationship that they are convicted of their need for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.