More Than A Snippet

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

Do you rush through your time alone with the Lord daily or not have one at all? I know it is a challenge for nearly all people to make this a priority in  life. When asked the question "Is Jesus' first place in your life?" many may respond "Yes" simply because they are associated with a church, denomination or go to church once a week. Let me ask you this, "Does spending one hour with the things of the Lord once a week prioritize it?" I  think the answer would probably be no. Not saying this to judge or condemn as I have been guilty of squeezing Him out of my day too. 

We delight ourselves in many things. Hobbies, sports, your pets, The Super Bowl, Facebook, membership in a club, going to the gym, friends, favorite television shows, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a spouse, our children, reading a favorite book, and many things can really be ahead of God if you consider the time you put in to them. Jesus wants to be 'more than a snippet' in our lives. He does not like being an after thought. He wants to be the center of your life that everything else revolves around. He wants you to get to know Him through daily studying and reading His word in the Bible. 

Somehow the enemy puts a majority of people into a complacent stupor where the Bible is buried under magazines, put up on the shelf, or can't be found at all. What if you had to search for the remote control. I am pretty sure it is right there for most folks who love TV. Why not continue in the 2nd month of 2015 by TRULY igniting a passion for Christ!

PRAYER: Lord I talk big but often times I know I am not striving to be close to you. I get lazy and put off studying the word of God. Other things squeeze it out and I know Satan jumps for joy. I choose from hereon to make the devil mad by getting excited about you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click the following link and worship God with all your heart:

http://youtu.be/b-oZbBS_OhM

Preach On

But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark. Matthew 24:37-38

What are your plans for today? Whatever they are go about your day with expectancy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are teaching school, keep doing it. If you are a clerk, keep working. Perhaps the CEO of a company. Keep leading and directing. If you are a stay home mom, keep raising your children for the Lord.

For all of us who name the name of Jesus we should be 'preachers' of sorts and be 'preaching on' until Jesus returns. Not everyone will accept this and some may mock you,but our job is to share God's love with those in our circle of influence each and every day. We are not to be ashamed of Jesus. Bow your head even in public and thank Him for your daily bread. Many in the world are hungry. Don't be embarrassed someone is looking cause they probably are. In Mark 8:38 it says "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father's glory with the Holy angels."

Go now and remember you are His witness so be able to share about your joy if someone asks. If you don't know Him you can stop right now and ask Him to take control of your life.

PRAYER: Give me your strength to not be a coward when it comes to sharing you with others. Forgive me if I have ever acted ashamed. In Jesus' name. Amen.

FOR PREACHERS ONLY?

People have kidded me in the past because of my passion for the things of the Lord and my writing and saying "you need to be a pastor" or something to that effect. Why is it to live for the Lord and write stuff about Him appears odd to some? It is as if others feel I have some special "hotline" to God. I do not. My passion is, and has been, to write devotions and share the love of Jesus with others far and wide. You do not need a theological degree to do this. All of us who love Jesus should be getting into his word and sharing his love with those we come into contact with daily.2 Timothy 4:2(NKJV) says "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.'

There have been times I have been at a gathering where if a priest or preacher was in the crowd they were called upon in an "unofficial capacity" to offer a prayer. Anyone who names the name of Jesus is qualified to say a prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. That's it. Pretty simple. Depending on what religion you were raised in you may be afraid to do this. "Religion" often gets in the way of a true relationship with Christ.

Matthew 7:21-23(NKJV) says 'Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Be sure to know that you know when you are done here on Earth you will be with Jesus. Cry out to Him today!

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of eternal life with you which is promised to those who call upon your name. Help me concentrate on living for you here and not judging others. Forgive me when I have missed the mark and done my own thing ignoring you. I choose to walk with you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.