Fill Er Up!?

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

For those of my audience over the age of 50 you can probably recall full service gas stations. Actually the state of Oregon still has them by law. At a full service station an attendant would come to your car while you sat comfortably inside and ask you the question "Fill er up?" Next he would ask if you wanted your oil checked and would also wash your windows. Times were great for we baby boomers.

The 'fill er up' concept would be great when talking to people who don't know Jesus or maybe who do but don't do much beyond Sunday to grow in Christ. Fill yourself up on God's promises and truths found in only one place. The Holy Bible. Don't wait for church for a pastor or priest to spoon feed you but jump right in yourself and fill yourself to the brim.

Do you want to receive a 'fill up' today? Start by reading the Proverb corresponding to today's date and soon this habit will have you going to the 'pump' daily.

PRAYER: I am grateful to live in a nation where currently I am able to sit in public with my Bible and read. Many countries make it illegal. Help me to never take studying your word for granted. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Eat or Starve! Once a Week??

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

How often do you eat every day? Normally this is three meals a day if you live in a prosperous country and are employed. There are those who eat way more than they need to and then those who starve themselves to try to lose weight. 

Imagine if you will, consuming only one tiny meal a day by choice. You would be very hungry for sure. Our spiritual body needs nourishment too or it will wither and die. By this I am referring to 'feeding' yourself the word of God on a daily basis. How do you expect to grow in Christ unless you take in His 'food' ,the Bible, each and every day. The opposition of course is Satan who will help you think of many excuses why you are too busy or worse yet, why the Bible is full of errors and is not for today so you do not bother with it at all. 

You need to read God's word daily if you expect to be able to grow. Plants need water to grow. We need food to grow. Do not neglect the most important thing for eternal life and that is feeding daily on His words. 

PRAYER: Lord I am sorry when I have put other things before you. I know it is vitally important to grow in Christ and I plan to stop allowing Satan to talk me out of studying the Bible each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Under Construction

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

A few years ago there was a saying "Please be patient. God is not finished with me yet." A few days ago as I ran past a construction site, a big sign on their fence said "Under Construction." When something is being built we often wait with anticipation for what is to come. As a believer I am constantly under construction. I guess when I am finished or when God is finished then I will enter heaven.

 Your life is constantly being built and changed too. I for one am glad we do not stay the same age and do the same things. When you feel all is lost or are facing some challenge in life, know that  if you love Jesus He is there with you and will see you through to what lies beyond. One of the biggest things for being "built" in Christ is knowing that trials help to shape you. It says that in James 1:2-4. Take a moment and read it.

 Go back out in your 'construction zone' and know the 'master builder' is shaping you into just what He wants you to be.

PRAYER: Thank you for working on me and making me just what you need for your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Rotten Tree

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Have you ever seen a rotting tree? On my numerous hikes upon a local mountain I have seen them and hope I get by them before they topple from having no life in them anymore. There are numerous things that cause trees to die. Diseases, insects, lack of water and fertilization. 

Our life can sort of be like a rotting tree. If we take time to do the things necessary to 'grow in Christ' then we flourish. Our fertilizer and water is the word of God. By reading the word of God, the Bible, we become more like Christ and take on His character. There is no way we can wither away if we are strong in the strength only Christ can provide. Let His word grow you up today.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the word of God that if I read it and study it can become more like you. I choose to flourish  and not rot. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

I AM A CHRISTIAN...HO HUM.

 

Has there been a time in life when you just did not feel excited about Jesus? Maybe you asked Jesus into your heart, were baptized, and gave your testimony but then something happened. Prayers were not answered. Someone died and you blamed God on "taking them". Friends hurt you and you wondered why God abandoned you. You lost your job and once again said "why did God allow this to happen to me"?  You file for bankruptcy and say "where is God in this?". Why do people always "dump" on God? 

Remember God is a good God. Hebrews 13:5(NIV) says 'Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you never will I forsake you.”  Now that is a promise we can hope in. Why not get angry at the devil instead? 

We are here on this earth for only a very short time. Things will happen and it is how we react that matters. You can let your trials make you grow or make you run to the devil and get mad at God. 

1 Peter 1:7 says 'That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.'  

What do you choose? Grow closer in trials and praise God continually or just forget about him and live for the enemy? A question only you can answer.

PRAYER: Today is another day you have blessed us with. In this world we do and will have tribulation but your word says "we have overcome  the world". Help me shine through trials and not glorify the enemy by forgetting about you and getting mad. Be with friends and family who are dealing with a ho hum relationship with Christ and bring them closer to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ROOTED OR WILTED?

Are your "roots" deep in the soil of God's word or when the first storm comes into your life do you wilt and blow away with the wind? Think about plants in a garden. The ones that get proper care in the form of water and fertilizer will usually have deep roots and grow healthy and strong. Those that get neglected will cease to become thriving plants and may even die before producing fruit.

In your spiritual life do you neglect reading the word of God? Do you feel Sunday is enough to suffice and get you through the week ahead? Has being called a Christian become mundane and more of a "title" more than something you really are?

As I sit writing this devotion I am in a coffee shop that plays Christian praise and worship music. It is lifting my spirit just being in here. I want to raise my hands and sing.

Do you seek more of God or have you become satisfied and are wilting on the vine of life? It is necessary to feed on the word of God on a regular basis to stay strong.

Psalm119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.' How can you be armed for the battles coming your way without the word of God to make you strong? Start today and grow in grace and truth by feeding daily on His word.

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for giving us your Holy word as our guidebook for life. Without it I am weak and become fearful. I choose to stay strong and grow strong by feeding on it daily. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click link for a powerful song of worship.

http://youtu.be/6Jo3y_XoHHQ

SPOON FED?

Are you a spiritual baby? By this I mean do you show up at church on Sunday without even your heavenly "instruction" manual , the Bible, and expect the preacher, priest, or rabbi to "spoon feed" you or are you capable of doing it yourself? Do you require a bottle and baby food or can you eat meat? Something to ponder. If we expect to grow up and become mature we learn to feed ourselves. Why should it be any different with "spiritual food"? Do you want to remain in a high chair or booster seat all your life? Of course not.

In 1 Corinthians 3:2(NIV) we are told the following 'I gave you milk not solid food for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed you are still not ready.' Are you spiritually mature or still sucking a baby bottle? We have to grow up beyond John 3:16 and Psalm 23 which almost all people exposed to church are familiar with. The enemy does his very best to try to get you to stay spiritual babes as then you do not grow into spiritual maturity and have no power to really defeat the onslaught of things that will come your way. If Satan can make you think you really do not need to read a Bible or study it then he has done his job. Remember it says in John 10:10 that he comes to "kill, steal, and destroy." Take a moment and read John Chapter 10.

To be mature you need training and food to grow to stay healthy. In our spiritual walk that training is not just church once a week but it is taking time to study the Bible on your own and also in a small group. Do you desire to grow more Christlike or do you just want to stay ignorant of what God has in store for you in the word of God? It is called the truth and is the way to Eternal Life.

Today I urge you to make an effort to become mature in Christ. Do you desire to be spiritually mature and have the "meat" of His word or are you satisfied being mediocre and being a babe in Christ? My prayer is all of those who read this grow up strengthened by the power that is in the word.

PRAYER: Dear Lord thank you that I have access to a Bible. I often do not give it the priority I should. I know Lord I need more of you in my life. I am aware the enemy tries to throw me off course and wants me to be spiritually starved. I choose to grow up in Christ. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link and worship in song.

http://youtu.be/y3GmSupatEs

Note:If you missed yesterdays' devotion and would like to read it you can access any past devotions at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.

RECHARGE YOUR BATTERY

Mobile communication devices, known as cell phones, not only sometimes need a Wi Fi connection but they are also in need of keeping a "charge" or the battery runs out. On a recent trip to our Nations Capitol mine "died" numerous times and I had no place to plug it in. Now I have bought a portable charger for the next time.

Charging a cell phone only once a week would not get service for very long. People are so concerned about losing contact with the outside world when their battery dies, but what about the "spiritual" battery? By this I mean that one hour in church plus a whole lot more. A one hour "pep talk" in church each Sunday is not adequate for keeping your "spiritual battery" charged.

So what to do you, might say? First, fall in love with Jesus! Next, make Bible reading a daily priority. It is only through looking at "His book" and getting the words of Christ inside of you that you will be able to grow and be fully prepared to keep going and going and going.

Matthew 5:6(NIV) says 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.' Why not go to God's "charging station" today and fill your mind with the things of Christ in order to keep going when life throws you a curve ball.

PRAYER: Today Lord I am sorry to say I have not always picked up the word of God. Sometimes not even on Sunday. Forgive me for allowing the enemy to put thoughts in my head that Sunday was "enough". I need to have you in my life around the clock in order to keep charged up for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HOW IS YOUR HEALTH?

Are you as healthy person? When you go to your doctor and the person screening you asks what type physical condition  you consider yourself in how do you answer? Are you excellent, good, fair, or poor?

One other type  of health we should be more concerned about more than anything else is our spiritual health. How would you say yours is on a scale of one to ten, one being the worst? Ponder that for a moment or two. Do you read your Bible daily? Do you truly love the Lord? Is prayer second nature to you? Are you able to maintain peace or are you consistently worried about  something? Do you talk about church but not Jesus? Do you follow the Ten Commandments or at least try to? Are you irritated by some people or ever make the statement you hate someone? Do you have a heart for others or mainly think about yourself? If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? If you dropped over dead right now do you know for a FACT that you would be instantly in the arms of our Lord in heaven?

Philippians 1:27-30(NIV) says the following 'Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,  striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.' 


Are you more conformed to this world or do you realize you're on a temporary journey down here and if a believer, then serving in the capacity of an ambassador for Him? You represent  the kingdom of God here on Earth. How are you doing with that position?

So how is your spiritual health? Do you need to work on it to improve it and become closer to God? A great place to start in scripture is to read the book of John in the New Testament. Through making a regular habit of getting into the word and studying scriptures as well as prayer and fellowship with others in the body of Christ you are on your way to improving your spiritual health, so run the race to win with your eyes on Jesus! 

John 3:30(ESV) says 'He must increase but I must decrease.' 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I do love you and I want to more like you and less into worldly things or my own self. Direct my paths and help me resist the attempts of Satan to throw me off track. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ONE A DAY

Have you taken your "spiritual vitamin" today? We seem to do everything else but take care of the "spirit man" dwelling inside of us 

Get  up. Check.

Brush teeth. Check.

Shower. Check.

Get dressed. Check.

Eat breakfast. Check.

Read the paper. Check.

Watch the morning show. Check.

Are you forgetting something? You have neglected to take your dose of "spiritual vitamins" for the day. Staying healthy spiritually is oh so very vital yet  how many fail to bother looking at their Bible till Sunday rolls around and then maybe not. Many may think that just being  on the church membership rolls is enough or being baptized. I hate to tell you, but it is not.

To stay growing and healthy in the Lord it is necessary to have regular time with Him reading His word and praying. How can you expect to be able to handle things when life gets tough, and it usually will, if you are not rooted and grounded in God's word? How do you know what is right or wrong if you do not study the word? Do not just make it something you hear on Sunday.

Colossians 2:7(NIV) reminds us ''Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.' If you have not started a regimen of taking those "spiritual vitamins"  why not do it today? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know just like taking regular vitamins to help my physical body be healthy and well, I have to take my "spiritual vitamin" as well. Give me the desire to let you be first in my life and not just say it. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

I'M STARVING!!

As I sit in a local coffee shop doing my writing I am sort of hungry as it is getting close to lunch time. In America most of us do not know real hunger and a good majority are overfed. To be hungry, truly hungry, is an awful experience I hope I never have to experience. Look at Third World nations eating some sort of mush out of a wooden bowl or cup and just gobbling it down. Then we in America waste our food and some hungry Americans find it in the dumpsters across our great land and eat what the privileged tossed aside.

But to really be hungry is something I can not fathom. If we go without being fed too long our bodies would shut down and we would not survive. But the worst kind of hunger is hunger for the word of God. Just as our physical bodies need to be fed food to grow, so too our spirit inside of us needs daily 'feeding' as not to wither away and die. How can we be equipped for the battleground of life unless we are prepared with proper spiritual food?

How many of us though think this feeding only should occur on Sunday? Imagine if you would if you only ate food one hour per week and the other 6 days you starved yourself. All sorts of problems would occur in your physical body. How many of us are guilty of starving our spiritual bodies? It is necessary to renew and refresh ourselves on a daily basis to be able to combat the 'arrows' thrown at us by Satan.Some who are starving for God would not even bother reading this devotion.

2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to show thyself approved by God a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Matthew 5:6 says " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be saved."

Are you hungry for God and the Word of God? If not, maybe you need a spiritual renewal. Try this. Wake up each day and say out loud "thank you Lord for this new day. Use me today in your kingdom work." After that before you get caught up in the mornings activities or head off to a job or start your motherhood duties or whatever else occupies a majority of your time, set aside time alone with God. Read a passage of scripture. I have suggested before to start by reading the book of John or the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs there are 31 chapters so you could read the one corresponding to the date on the calendar. Just a thought. Then as you read ask God to reveal His truth to you. Before you know it you may be hungry for God and spiritual growth. Many do things in churches to stay busy but how much time do you take to nourish your spirit? Seething to think about.Going to church is great but being in love with Jesus and his word happens more than one hour each Sunday.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for each day you give me. Forgive me for the times I have gotten too busy to put you first. I know it is only through reading your Holy Bible that I can learn how to be more like you. Help me to cast off distractions that keep me from you.Also Lord help me to keep quiet if others around me in my family are not hungry for you and to simply pray. In Jesus name. Amen.

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

Everything we own seems to come with instructions, rules, or regulations. You have to follow guidelines to get something to operate properly. On medicines, for instance, you receive a prescribed amount and in order to treat your condition and to get well, it is essential you follow the doctor's orders. A new cellular phone or mobile device  comes with a booklet of almost 135 pages these days in order to learn all the functions and capabilities to operate it. When you buy a new automobile, it too, comes with an owner's guide found in the glove compartment in order to learn how to operate all the items in your car. If you bake a cake you need to do what the recipe says or no one will want to eat it. There are proper measurements and cooking times that are key in turning out an edible product. So you see most everything in life has a 'manual' of sorts to tell you how the item works and what to do to troubleshoot when things not working as they should.

Life too has an instruction manual given to us by God and it is called the Holy Bible. It is our guidebook through this life we are leading and if you follow it, and ask Jesus into your heart as well, you will have eternal life with him in heaven once your time here on earth is over.

This guidebook is owned by many as it is the best selling book of all time but many who own it are ignorant of what is contained within its' pages. Some churches do not encourage reading it or studying it and many who attend church each Sunday do not even carry their Bibles as they probably think they get what they need from the priest or minister.

It is a tool of sorts to keep us on the right road of life, to show us how to be more Christlike, and to help us see what pitfalls to avoid. Reading it does not mean you will have a perfect life but you will be better equipped to handle the struggles and trials that are sure to come in your life."Where do I begin" you might ask. The book of Psalms is good, or Proverbs or I often suggest starting with the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which contain so much vital to living a victorious Christian life. Proverbs is neat in that it has 31 Chapters and most months contain 31 days so you could read one chapter a day.

The Christian life is not boring and it does not mean you have to wear a long skirt and a bun in your hair for  women or a black suit and tie for men. It is essential though that you get into the word of God to grow in Christ. Don't let it gather dust or worse yet, don't have to wonder where you put it. It should be on table next to you and you can even get a Gideon's  pocket testament to carry daily.
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.". Psalm 119:105 tells us "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a lamp unto my path."

Why not start today and get into the word of God? Find a good growing dynamic church to attend that is growing in Christ and make up your mind you will grow in Christ and not let the enemy, Satan, take you off the path God has for you.  John 17:17 says "Sanctify them with the truth. Thy word is truth." Finally Hebrews 4:12 tells us "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Fall in love with Jesus and His word today. It is your instruction manual through life.

PRAYER: Father forgive me for rushing through my day and forgetting to 'hide your word' in my heart. I know Satan will try to distract me and help me think of excuses of why it is not necessary to know the word of God. When I get complacent Lord wake me up. I want to grow and learn more of what pleases you and to live my life accordingly. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to listen to awesome song of praise:
http://youtu.be/trUI1wtIIFk

WATER NEEDED HERE

How many of us have had plants and flowers die because we forgot to water them? I know I have. Water is essential to life. Recently a few tomato plants we forgot about got neglected and wilted. I quickly put water on them hoping for them to spring back to life. They did spring  back after a few hours.

Just as water is needed to have living things grow, to include we humans, we also need God's word, the Bible,  if we expect our spirits to 'grow'. You can not know about Jesus and how to live a victorious Christian life unless you open it up once in a while and study it. You can go to church every day but if you do not pick up God's word and study it how will you know how to live your life for Christ? You need that 'instruction manual' to keep you on God's highway so to speak.

There is a saying I once heard that said "going into church won't make you into a Christian anymore than going into a garage will make you into a car". Think about that. There is not  some magic that happens when you walk in the door of the church. You have to give your heart to Jesus and begin to grow in Christ by reading the word of God and  perhaps finding a local Bible study to attend as well as  a good Bible based church where God's word comes alive and where the church is growing, not stagnating.

John 4:13-14 says "Jesus answered "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become a spring of water welling up into eternal life."   Isaiah 58:11 says "The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." In Matthew 5:6 it says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."

How about you? Are you thirsty for Jesus? If not why not? Examine your heart today. Maybe it is time to commit yourself to the Lord or give your heart to Him for the first time. He is waiting. Why not ask Him to be Lord of your life today?

 Let your prayer be like David's words in Psalm 63:1 which says "O God you are my God. Earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry weary land where there is no water."

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your word which brings life like water to my weary soul. Forgive me when I have ignored its' valuable lessons and neglected to read it. I know it is only by knowing it that I can resist and defeat the enemy, Satan. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link for praise song:
http://youtu.be/Ve720TWDZdg

DON'T WILT

A few days ago there were a couple tomato plants at my home we intended to plant in the garden but we forgot and they looked nearly dead.  They had been totally forgotten and had received no water. Basically they looked pretty far gone. This was seemingly a waste of money to now see them shriveled up and wilting. I immediately dug a couple of  holes in the garden and popped them in the ground giving them a big 'drink of life giving water' . A couple hours went by and they had sprung back to life!! It made me think of how water sustains life in both humans, animals and plants and also how the word of God sustains Christians. The Bible will only keep you from 'wilting' if you actually read it and apply it though. If you go too long without studying God's word, the Bible, you too will get spiritually 'wilted'. You need the 'nourishment' of God's or in other words you need to 'feed' or better yet 'feast' on the word of God. Only through knowledge of the Bible do we know the truth and are able to combat the lies and deception of Satan.   How about you? Are you wilted and almost dead or thriving each day for The kingdom of God? Be honest with yourself. I am not asking if go to church, are a member of a church or are baptized, but do you love Jesus enough to want to get to know him better and seek him daily and not as an afterthought when you fall into bed after giving maybe three to four hours that evening to meaningless television? Being 'religious' does not mean you love and serve Jesus. As a matter of fact sometimes it is a hindrance.    John 15:1-7 says “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."  Why not start today making sure nothing else squeezes getting to know Jesus through his word out of your day. You do not want to be wilted do you?  PRAYER: We are so blessed in America to have freedom to worship God openly and read our Bible openly yet many do not even pick it up except maybe on Sunday. Many people live in countries where the Bible can get your killed or arrested. We have it so good yet we ignore you and your word except if in crisis.Lord forgive us for being complacent and and not reading the Bible  which we are blessed to own. In Jesus name Amen.   Click on link and be blessed by a song of worship: http://youtu.be/RNkwbEwA-DY

GROWING SPIRITUALLY

We welcomed in a New Year a little over a month ago. A new year is when many people start to think about New Years resolutions. Some people want to lose weight, some to focus on staying positive, some say to read the Bible more. What do you have for your New Years resolution? Did you even make one back on January 1st?

Why not resolve in your heart to grow spiritually and to become more spiritually fit? Not more religious, but closer to God. 'Religion' often turns people off to Jesus and His love. So many legalistic rules that some churches make up cause many people to want nothing to do with 'religion'. I have news for you! I am not talking about being religious but about being in love with Jesus and desiring to know Him better. Sometimes certain churches might scare us away from wanting to get closer to God, which is sad. If you are one of these people who has been turned off by a holier than thou 'churchy experience' that was more strict and condemning than full of grace and love perhaps it is time to find a new church home.

A suggestion would be to start on the casual non denominational level which usually has less man made restrictions that people dislike. If you are reading this and go to a denominational church I am not saying your church is bad but often times the more casual non denominational ones seem to make those seeking to know Christ better more at ease. Make sure they preach the uncompromising word of God and do not change it to fit societal changes and an unBiblical culture.

To grow spiritually you have to read God's word, there is no other way. To grow physically you have to have food and to grow spiritually you have to have God's 'meat' which is the word of God. The Bible is not boring nor is getting closer to God. Perhaps if you are disinterested you have not truly asked God into your heart. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says "the preaching of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

You can get excited about Jesus and hunger and want to be closer to him in 2012. Stop what you are doing and ask Him to take the controls of your life and be Lord of your life. Once you do this you become a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says " therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone and the new is here."

Start now by 'thinking' on God's word. Next try to find a good church home to fellowship in. Perhaps find a Bible study with other believers to help disciple you in your new walk. Spend some alone time with God praying or simply talking to Him.

If you are already a believer perhaps you have stagnated and need to be renewed in your mind. Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." You can not grow without spending time with God. How important is being close to Jesus to you?

Start today to grow spiritually. You will feel better for it, I guarantee it.

PRAYER: Lord I want to have you in my life and live for you. Forgive me when I have not spent time with you. I desire to grow spiritually so keep me on this path. In Jesus name. Amen.

 Click on link below to worship God in song:
http://youtu.be/b-oZbBS_OhM

WHAT IS KEEPING YOU FROM JESUS?

Could you care less about the things of the Lord? You say you are 'born again' but yet there is no desire to do much of anything but live in a secular world by being a 'nice and good person'? What is the cure for this?

To grow in Christ and get to know Him you have to spend time in fellowship and the Bible. Many people do not want to go to church because they say it is either too religious, 'church people' are hypocrites, or the excuse "I am only off one day a week and I do not intend to waste that day in church". Ouch. That last one really hurts. I know what the people mean who say this but it is sad that they have not found a church that loves Jesus enough to get them excited about wanting to go and brings them the joy of the Lord.

Many non denominational churches even accommodate people by adding a Saturday night service. I do not think that a huge lightening bolt is going to strike you down if you decide to worship on Saturday night because it fits your schedule better. Many may be way too legalistic and feel that the only time to go to church is the standard hour of 11 in the morning on Sunday. And when they go, they sit in the same seat and you better not try to take that seat or look out!! What if a visitor comes in and sits there? The point is the 'Holy Huddle' mentality scares many away. Don't be so quick to judge because we do not know what is in a person's heart.

 For those of you out there who have moved allot and have been faced with looking for a church home it can, in fact, be very intimidating. Do not be afraid to go outside the denomination you are used to. Just make sure it is a Bible believing church. Sometimes it is not fun going into smaller churches where cliques may exist and your presence is more evident and no one comes up to say hi. In a huge church you blend in more. Several years ago our family  visited a church where on the sign outside  it said 'The Friendly Church' and do you know the only time anyone was friendly was when they were forced to get up and shake our hand. No kidding. This type of stuff is part of why some people want nothing to do with a church.

So how do we fix this problem? First the desire for the Lord and the commitment to make the Sabbath Day important has got to be there. This does not mean you have to spend the entire day in church but at least make the effort to have fellowship with other believers one day a week. Next when you hear a good message from the pastor, priest or rabbi it can give you something to think about during the week. Many churches encourage you to bring your Bibles and take notes. I personally find note taking an excellent way to be able to remember what you have been taught. If you were in a college or high school class and there was a lecture and you did not take notes how would you be able to be successful on the upcoming tests? Same thing applies with the message. Take some notes for it is there that you start to have the word go into your brain so to speak. If you can not attend at all perhaps get some good teaching CD's to listen to in order to keep your spirit fed.

Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." If you do not hunger for the things of the Lord ask God to help restore the excitement of Jesus to you. Perhaps you need to recommit your life to the Lord and make an effort to live a life pleasing to Him. Being a Christian is not boring. It is not drudgery. If you feel this way that is because you may not be in the right church or have not asked Jesus to be Lord of your life in the first place. That is the first order of business.

Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Romans 13:12 says "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." If you do not stay connected to the 'vine' which is Jesus Christ and stay in His word, The Bible, then eventually your fire will die out and you will whither away. The enemy loves it when people make excuses about not attending church. The more he can get you to stay home and go do something else the better his chances of getting you to believe a lie and putting out your 'spiritual fire'. Do you want this to happen?

Church alone does not guarantee you admission into heaven. In fact there are probably many in churches who will not go to heaven even though they think they are 'good'. It is more than being 'good'. Matthew 7:22 says "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?"  Mark 13:36 says "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping" referring to Jesus return. He is coming back. Are you ready to meet Him? When he says to you, "do you love me" how will you answer Him and how will you be able to prove it? Something to think about I would say.

Luke 21:34 says "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."  Revelation 3:16 should wake you up if no other verse does and it says "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth" Where is your heart today? Run to Jesus. He is waiting!

PRAYER: Lord God I have not always been faithful to stay in fellowship. Also I have neglected reading your word on a daily basis. Lead me to a church where the word of God is alive and being preached in an uncompromising way. Wake me up from my spiritual stupor and wake any of my family members up who are in this same stupor of not making you a priority in life. Help them love you with all their heart and want to serve you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link and prepare to worship the Lord.
http://youtu.be/iN_DMuahD5o

ARE YOU A STAGNANT CHRISTIAN?

You need to grow. You can not stay a baby in Christ. If you are not growing in the Lord you become stagnant and unuseful. You can go to church and warm a seat each Sunday but if you are not doing anything besides a sixty minute punching your ticket session so to speak are you really growing? The answer is no. If you just simply attend church and leave and do nothing the rest of the week that seemingly indicates no passion for the things of the Lord. Maybe it is time to ask yourself if you really do have Jesus living on the inside of you and if you desire getting to know Him more than anything else.


What is stagnant water like? We have probably all seen it. It is usually green and is not flowing. You would never want to drink it or you would get sick. Usually there is crusty stuff on top of it and it is sickening to look at. Do you want to get like that as a Christian where there is nothing flowing out of you? Honestly if you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you of this? Think about that for a while. What would you tell the arresting officer to prove you loved the Lord?

Isaiah 26:9 says "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." Do you 'yearn' for the Lord? Deuteronomy 6:5 says "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Isaiah 55:6 says "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near."  You either are passionate for the Lord or do not care less. In Revelation 3:16 it says "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Lukewarm is on the verge of becoming stagnant wouldn't you say?

Has someone led you down the wrong path off the course you were following that drew you close to God? If so perhaps it is time for a friendship inventory. It is easy to believe Satan's lies and his tricks are many. You must study and know the word to know when you are being fooled and lied to by the enemy. To not become stagnant you have to stay connected to the 'water of life' Jesus and read his word. Revelation 2:4 says "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Have you left your first love Jesus? It is time to get the waters flowing again and come back to Him with all your heart.

PRAYER: It is my desire Lord to grow in Christ and never ever become stagnant. Forgive me for times I have not put you first in my day. Lord I want to grow to be more like you and I want to be your 'hands and feet' so to speak in a hurting world. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below to enjoy an awesome worship song .

http://youtu.be/U8mr839-TVs