Do You Follow Jesus This Close?

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27

My title was actually a bumper sticker I saw which sort of made me smile. It was the drivers way of saying "Do you have to tailgate me?" I found it humorous so decided to build today's writing on this theme.

How close in fact do you follow Jesus? Church goer only? Church member but don't attend? Some Christian bumper stickers and billboards may be a bit over the top but indeed probably the person who created it had the right intent. The Holy Spirit has to convict an individual of their need for Him as shoving Jesus down someone's throat tends to backfire often with dire consequences. 

But really how close do you follow Jesus? The saying is if you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? Something to think about. 

PRAYER: I don't want to be guilty of not loving you and serving you Lord. I know in the times we are in people are drifting away as the government almost says certain vile things are okay. Lord I cling to you and your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Caution: Bridge Freezes Before Roadway

Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Winter is upon us here where I live. We in the south do not get the brunt of winter weather like folks do in my native state of Ohio or even in Iowa or Illinois  where I used to live. Never the less, when it comes in the form of frozen precipitation you need to slow down driving and stay off the roads entirely if possible during icy conditions. The familiar sign you see before crossing a bridge on the highway is the same as my title. Be careful. I have seen cars hit the bridge and spin out so it is not a joke. 

Our life has cautions and warnings too found in God's word if only we would be wise enough to become familiar with the Bible and heed His advice. He is all wise and tries to shelter us if only we were not so stubborn and wanted our own way all the time. Satan is real and he is roaming around trying to deceive and destroy us. His tricks and lies are many and he has subjects on earth that do his work for him some knowingly and others not so much. There is evil and there is good, period. Satan is evil and God is good. Satan lies and schemes and God is truthful. Who do you choose? We can not have our feet in both worlds. 

Today if you know deep down in your heart what is right and wrong then tell Satan to get behind you as you plan to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good all the time. I know Satan is out there working in all facets of our lives from the school house to the White House. Help me be discerning of his tricks and stand on the promises of God. Help me not be led astray by the lies of the enemy. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

YOUR RECOGNIZABLE VOICE

Don't you just love automated voice recognition systems which so manycompanies now utilize when you call? Kidding of course about the "loving them" as they may be modern but they annoy so many people. You just want to talk to a person
and then get a machine instead that keeps saying "I don't understand" and you may keep saying "agent please" in great frustration as you desperately attempt to talk to a human.

Or then for those with I Phones that have SIRI capability that is a whole new experience. Mine will say to me on many occasions "I don't understand Becky" and I may try and try again but my northern accent throws them off perhaps or rate of speech. Still it can be a wonderful tool but also very maddening.

Good news ahead! If you are a child of God He knows your voice. He isn't going to say "Who is this" when you pray to Him. John 10:14-15(NIV) says 'I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for my sheep.' Psalm 91:14(ESV) says 'Behold he holds fast to me in love. I will deliver him, I will protect him for he knows my name.' Jesus "speaks" to us as believers by His word and perhaps through people too.

John 10:27(NKJV) says 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.'We are His "sheep" and He is our shepherd. He cares about everyone of his "sheep".Think about parents. Most parents always recognize their child's voice. We are children of God if we have accepted Him into our heart and He knows our voice. He hears your prayers. He loves you with an everlasting love. His heart breaks when you turn away from Him, don't spend time with Him, or act ashamed of knowing Him.

Today as your "hear His voice" through scriptures thank Him for recognizing yours when you call on Him.

PRAYER: Lord forgive me for ever having a "hard heart" when I do not behave like I know I should. I want to listen for your voice and sometimes this requires being still. Help me Lord to be still and to encourage others to do the same. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a wonderful praise song.

http://youtu.be/JU4U8_wMdRs

THIS WORLD OR GOD'S WORLD?

Who do you live to serve? God or man? Do you wear a cross around your neck but it is meaningless, just jewelry? There is an old hymn that says "this world is not my home I'm just a passing through" and oh how true that is. Scripture tells us in James 4:14 that "Our life is like a vapor".  So many people live as if this world is the final hurrah for them. If you are a believer you should be finding ways each day to make a difference in the world around you or someones life. Perhaps a smile at a coffee shop to a stranger, holding a door open, offering to take a cart back for a total stranger at grocery. Be creative. Think of something.

 Romans 12:2 says "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what God's will is.  His good, pleasing and perfect will." Are you conformed to the world 'according to TV talk shows, magazines, and movies' or are you living to be different and be a representative of Christ and His kingdom?

In scripture believers are referred to as strange, set apart, peculiar,and as  ambassadors.

 It is so easy to be molded into the worlds image even as a believer. If you watch all the talk shows, bad news, and feed your mind with worldly garbage they spew forth, sooner or later you will no doubt start changing your thinking. What is the purpose of going to church and reading the Bible if we do not lead a life that is somewhat different? We need to be reacting to problems differently and standing firm through trials. You are an example for others who may know you are a believer.

The world believes and operates by different standards. For you to assume everyone is having sex when dating is wrong because that is not true. There are those who believe and follow the Bible and have self control. It sure is easy to think it is normal to go out on a date and hop into the sack if you get a constant diet of some of the movies out of Hollywood. Do you use Hollywood's  standard or God's Standard? Even the way we dress should be different and reflect Christ. Do you ladies reading this tantalize the male employees in your office by wearing  low cut tops or shirts too short? Men are tempted by sight and as a woman of God you should be aware of how what you where affects others and try to dress more modestly. (See 1 Timothy 2:9).Just cause the world swears up a blue streak does not mean we should follow suit.  It is the end of tax season and as a believer I hope you did the honorable thing there too. You get the point?

Challenge yourself to be more God centered and less world centered. We are only
down here for such a limited time. Live for God's world and be a superb representative for Him.

PRAYER: Lord forgive me if I have ever let this world and not your word shape my thinking. I want to work more towards conforming to the heavenly kingdom. Help me as I seek to be your witness here on this earth. In Jesus name. Amen.

PITY THE FOOL AND PRAY FOR HIM

Today in our world many people are anti church, anti religion, anti Christian, and anti God. This includes our own government, sadly, making laws against Christian beliefs. Beware, because you are messing with God and in the end He wins. In Psalm 14:1 it says "The fool says in His heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good."

 Also, many lie, thinking nothing of it trying to trick and deceive people. Once again, the Bible says "God hates a lying tongue". (See Proverbs 6:16-19). No lying is justified, EVER! Believers know that and non believers don't care as to them there is no consequence because obeying the Bible means nothing to them. Proverbs 26:28 says "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

 The Bible and Jesus is a threat to many. In some foreign countries you can be executed for naming the name of Jesus. Thankfully in the USA it is not like that YET, but beware, we are on a slippery slope and making a mockery of saying "God bless America" after speeches when in fact caring nothing about God or obeying Him. It is a mockery to put your hand on the Bible to take an oath of office then to go against its' teachings. Galatians 6:7 says "Do not be deceived. God can not be mocked. Whatever a man sows that will he reap." That is the law of God.  Job 4:8 says "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." God is not going to continue to bless a nation that turns its' back on Him. Psalm 33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

We need to be praying for these 'mere men and women' in power who are making laws opposite what the Bible teaches. Instead of being angry at them, pity them and pray for them. Romans 12:14 says "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." As a believer if you know someone is going against GOD'S word, come election time, they should probably not get your vote. It does not matter if you are a life long member of some particular political party. If they take stands against God's word, then you need to speak with your vote. A government which  oppresses it's people is not what our founders envisioned.

It is not mere man that is ultimately in control but it is God. He is on the throne, not a king, a prince, a dictator, or a president. Leaders and rulers  may try to lord over their 'subjects' but God is not pleased. If the times today have you fearful,rejoice!! Jesus is Lord over all!  Psalm 37:25 says "I was young and now I am old, yet I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." So do not worry.

 Psalm 16:8 says "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 34:17 says " The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles".

PRAYER: Thank you Lord because I know you are Lord over all mankind and all creation. I know you are always behind the scenes working things out. Help me relax, keep praying, and trust you. In Jesus name. Amen.

 For further reading take a coffee break and read the entire chapter of Psalm 37. There is hope in Jesus alone and no man.