It’s been a long time. Sorry for the wait. Here’s a quick snack to chew on…
Try not to take too much comfort in the statement, “I’m a work in progress”. We all have that one thing or those things in our lives or in our character that can keep us from fully being pleasing to God. Take those things seriously.
We like to say, “I’m only human”; however, Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His commands are not burdensome. This means He wouldn’t expect something from us that He didn’t think we couldn’t do. He also said no temptation is out of the ordinary for the common man… paraphrasing… What I’m saying is we can all come out of ANY sinful state and truly repent, that is, turn away and walk completely the OPPOSITE direction of your sin. You just…WE just have to TURN AROUND and WALK AWAY. It comes down to how bad you want it — MORE IMPORTANTLY, it comes down to how strong your faith is.
If we are truly to believe that our God is alive and loves us and watches over us and heaven is a REAL and TANGIBLE reward, you will successfully make the choice to eliminate that sin from your life and do it quickly. THAT is definitely a work in progress. Endeavor to keep building your FAITH. Faith drives EVERYTHING. But don’t rest on your, “God knows my heart” and “I’m only human”.
It’s only a matter of time before that simply becomes less of a challenge and more of an excuse to keep going on as you are, thus costing you eternal life.
#TalkingToMe
But on the music side of things, here’s my go to record these days… IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK!
Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James seemed to really take issue with those that would make future plans. He chatsises them and urges them to say, “if the Lord wills”. This is something that seemed very minor in the scheme of things. People say those things on a regular basis. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone casually say, “see you tommorow!” and I couldn’t tell you they were evil for that. However, James expressly points out that God in fact does have a problem with that…why?
First, let me say that I don’t think that anybody who does not say anything along the lines of “Lord willing” is evil. I will say perhaps they know not the weight and or the blessing in what they are saying. “See you tommorow…I’ll be there next week”. Perhaps it’s too morbid to face the reality that this isn’t always the case, though we take it for granted. James hightlights the fragility of life. Furthermore he highlights WHO controls the days of every one of us…that is God. Okay so I got morbid I suppose.
What is the point in all this? The point is that God has to factor into everything that we plan. Honestly God’s in control of everything. And to even suggest tomorrow as though it is a forgone conclusion slights the very One who holds the future. Grant it, not everybody is coldly planning thier future and saying, “I’m going to do this no matter what God says.” Perhaps the matter is of a training of the mind. To be reminded to say, “if the Lord wills” is to be reminded to be reverent and submissive to God. Those little words can keep us humble and thankful as we greet another day. Conversely, the more we fail to acknowledge God’s control and providence in our lives the more we become overly self seeking, self praising and downright conceited. Boastful… You may feel weird saying, “Lord willing” in response to, “will you be coming in to work tomorrow?”. You may even feel like it’s understood so why say it? But God has given us things to remind us and to keep us right with Him. In His infinite wisdom He lovingly tells us, “Not so fast”.
We tend to give ouselves more credit than we deserve sometimes. To vocally give it to God’s will when sharing our plans and when interacting with the world and our brethren is to give God the glory. It is to encourage us and remind us to be thankful. To arrive safely is by way of God giving you that grace. A healthy vocal regimen trains a mental awareness of God in our lives and also serves as an evangelical tool.
Who knew saying something as basic as “See you next week” would hold so much weight. Yet it does. Not to scare you, but to encourage you. Count yourself blessed. A wonderful God has blessed you with this moment. In that moment, while today is still today, give Him the glory. Obey His Son who is able to save you on the day that tomorrow does not come. He promises that all who call on His name by confessing Him as Lord and Savior, washing away thier sins in the watery grave of baptism, dying to the flesh and rising up a brand new child in Christ will live life in eternal joy.
God simply wants us to understand that we need Him. He loves us. He can save us. He protects us everyday. He sustains us. And He blesses us according to His will.
I hope to provide you another blog soon…Lord willing
http://bible.com/1/HEB11.1.KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Bible.com/app
I love this song from Natalie Grant off new album!
A friend of mine once jokingly told me about a time where he had to “put religion on pause for a second” when somebody upset him. Lol.
Have you ever turned your Christianity off? Have you turned it down? Let’s reverse it. Has Jesus ever turned His love for God off? Has He turned his love for us off?
Look at one day of your life. How many hours of a particular day are you a Christian? Showing Jesus? Living His way? Speaking as the oracles of God?
Does your circumstance make you turn it off? Where you work? Your company? Who’s around you? Who’s not around you?
Do you alter your Christianity level to fit your audience?
Think about these questions. I’m asking myself too!
Consider these verses…
Philippians 2:12 KJV
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Luke 12:37 NIV
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Ephesians 5:15 KJV
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
God does not want us lukewarm, nor does he want us to be Christian sometimes or when convenient. And since He sees you when when nobody else does and we never know when or time to face Him may be, it’s important to always be ready.
Remember, your commitment to Jesus 24/7 will save both you and those around you.
It’s an everyday thing!
Speaking of which, enjoy the song of that very title by Andy Mineo.
Christian Music Pusher 