Pop Quiz

I remember when I was in 3rd grade our teacher gave us this quiz. The line said, "Read all the instructions first." The request of the quiz went something like this:

• Fold the paper in half
• Fold the paper in half again
• Make an X in the upper left and lower right square
• Put a circle in the upper right and lower left square

The test went on with these absurd instructions until you got to the last question which said:

Disregard all other instructions, only right your name in the upper left hand corner.

The purpose of the quiz was to illustrate the need to pay attention to what's important. So... this morning, I offer you a pop quiz of my own.

• What do you remember about Moses?
• What do you remember about Noah?
• What do you remember about King David?
• What do you remember about the Apostle Paul?

Are you ready for part 2?

• Why did God send Moses to Pharaoh? What was he trying to prove?
•  Why did God choose Noah? What was the purpose of the flood?
• What did God say about Kind David's heart and why wouldn't he let him build a temple?
• What did God say to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus and what mission did God give him?

Many times we read the Bible like it's a series of stories and we marvel at the characters. I have heard many times people say things like I could never do what Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego did. People are always comparing themselves to Elijah or Peter and don't think they could ever measure.

To those people, I say it's not about the people... it's about God and what He wants to happen.

Romans 12:1-3 The Message

1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

 3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

Power problems

Earlier this year we had a power problem. Two of the power outlets that were by the bed stopped working. At night, before we went to be, my wife and I plugged in our telephones so they could charge, and when we woke up in the morning, we found that they hadn't been charged.

It looked like we did what we were suppose to do. We were plugged into the source, but there wasn't anything happening.

The problem... was deeper. Although, on the outside, it looked like everything was connected, the problem was deeper. The problem... was in the walls. It was a really easy fix that only took a few moments. You see, all the power outlets are "chained" together, and there was a loose connection in one of the outlets that caused power to not flow.

Sometimes, as Christians, we look like we're connected on the outside, but on the inside there's no connection. We know the right things to say, we know how to act, but there's this emptiness that haunts us.

When I diagnosed the problem, I had this tester that I plugged into the wall to help me diagnose the problem. How do we diagnose the problem if we're Christians?

Easy... 1 question.

Is it easy for you to share your Christian faith with others?

The one thing that I hear most from Christians is that they don't know how to share their faith. That they don't feel comfortable or empowered. If that's the case, maybe you need to check your connection to THE power source. God gives us this promise unconditionally:

"...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 New Living Translation 

There's nothing like the real thing... baby!

Complete the following slogans:

1. Have a _____ and a smile.
2. _________, taste the rainbow.
3. You got you ________ in my peanut butter!
4. Have it your way, at ___________.
5. Silly rabbit, __________ are for kids!

Check your answers - see how you did:

1) Coke 2) Skittles 3) Chocolate 4) Burger King 5) Trix

Most of us not can not only complete each one of these, but also remember the commercial. A smile probably crossed our face, and for at least a few of them we could probably remember the taste of each. It's amazing how repetition over the years causes us to remember certain thing.

Then, in a moment of nostalgia, we can think back to an enjoyable time when we enjoyed a coke with friends, or ate Trix while watching Saturday morning cartoons.

Now... complete the following scriptures:

1. For all have sinned and __________________. (Romans 3:23)
2. For the wages of sin ___________, but the ____________________. (Romans 6:23)
3. God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while ______________________. (Romans 5:8)
4. Whoever will call on the name of the Lord __________________. (Romans 10:13)
5. That if thou shalt confess with ___________________________, and shalt believe __________________ that God _______________, thou shalt be _______________. For with the heart _______________________________; and with the mouth _______________________. (Romans 10:9-10)

Check the references... how did you do? The scripture chosen was from a witnessing tool called "The Romans Road" - it basically demonstrates the core of what Christians believe when it comes to the need for salvation and the method of how man obtains salvation.

How many ad slogans did you get right?

How many scriptures did you get right?

Remember this... struggling as a Christian means that you're know what you're struggling to achieve. If you want to struggle against sin, you have to have something in your heart that helps to motivate you.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

What really matters?

Being a Christian isn't easy. We are expected to be different than "the world." People go out and drink, party, sexual encounters which I guess is intimacy with others... but we... go to church, sing songs of praise, generally don't drink (or if we do, it's in moderation, right?), we don't party (that much...), and sex... yeah... that's reserved for marriage (isn't it?).

Why? What's the point? What drives us?

The Bible says that God is love. It also says: "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that who soever believes in Him shall not parish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

So... love drives God... what about us?

The Bible says:

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no on than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:12-14 NIV)

What does it mean to lay down your life? To me, today, it means - if there's something that I really want to do and you need me? I am going to put your needs first.. or at least try to.

The end game revolves around relationship. People need people to show them love, and kindness. I know there are times when I need people to show that they love me... that I'm not an afterthought or a checklist.

So... as we go out into the world this week... let's look at "the world" not as having people that we have to endure, or people that bother and annoy us... look at the people as though they need love... and show that love to them...

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 New Life Version (NLV)

 1 I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I do not have love, it will sound like noisy brass. 2 If I have the gift of speaking God’s Word and if I understand all secrets, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I know all things and if I have the gift of faith so I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give everything I have to feed poor people and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, it will not help me.

 4 Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride. 5 Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. 6 Love is not happy with sin. Love is happy with the truth. 7 Love takes everything that comes without giving up. Love believes all things. Love hopes for all things. Love keeps on in all things.

 

Is it just a tick mark on a to do list?

Have you ever been really thirsty after doing some activity or work out? I have. I remember running to get water... and how it seemed like the water was absorbed into my body before it actually reached my stomach. I remember drinking so fast that the water spilled out of the side of my mouth and dribbled down my chin... because I was thirsty.

I needed water.

King David, describes his desire for God the same way. In Psalms 42:1-2 (New Living Translation) he says:

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go stand before him?

And in Psalm 63:1-3 (New Living Translation) he says

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My Soul thirst for you; my whole body longs for you and in this parched and weary land where this is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

This morning, the question was poised to me this way:

"Is your time with God a check mark on your to-do list, or is like an anticipated meeting with an old friend?"

That was the question that God placed on my heart this morning as I was laying in bed waiting for my alarm to go off. I remember a time where almost every night I would have a half dozen Bibles open drinking in everything that the Bible said about God, His character, and His love for me. I always had something that I wanted to share with others.

I would also meet my friend Riley at the park at 5 am in the morning - where we would have prayer time. My life centered around God. I knew I needed Him because His blessing was more important to my success than any effort that I could muster.

So, yeah... I blog. And yeah... I am doing a Bible study with a couple people, but is my passion really to spend time with God, or do I get distracted by everything I have to do in the world?

Let's remember that what we have with God is relationship... it's not a check mark or a to do list. Our relationship with God is life.

Being a team player

I have been on highly functional teams and dysfunctional teams. I'm sure you have been too. I am also pretty sure that you prefer, like me, to be a part of a highly functional team. In dysfunctional teams there is chaos, things don't get done, there is finger pointing, blame...

The interesting thing to me is that you can have great leaders leading highly functional teams and great leaders with dysfunctional teams as well. So, what's the difference? Usually it's one of two things... the people, or an undefined mission.

Sometimes, when the world looks at the church we see a dysfunctional group of organization. It's sad, but true. We make mistakes. We don't have a good system to identifying new people and helping them feel a part of the church. We send people to class, but we don't make sure they really understand what they believe. We put all our energy into the outward appearance of a Sunday service, but leave people to fend for themselves the other 6 days a week.

We have a clear mission, as defined in the Bible. We have leaders - God promised that He would give us Pastors, Teachers. So... is the problem with the people?

I'm not sure... and believe me, I'm not pointing fingers. If I were, I would be examining myself first and how I fit into my local church. The thing is... this isn't new. The question as to whether or not the people truly commit to what the Bible asks us to do has existed even from the early church.

Let's take a moment and read this motivational speech that "coach" Paul gives to the church in Rome:

Romans 12

 1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Basically, Paul says that in order for there to be a change in our church, in our community - it has to begin with us! The King James version of the body says that we should "present our bodies as a living sacrifice" - Romans 12:1. That... is commitment. So, to quote the Gatorade commercial... "Is it in you?"

Just put on a happy face...

"They see people at church smiling all the time, so they mistakenly think all Christians are happy and have few problems. When they hurt, they think there must be something wrong with them" - "Real Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples" - Jim Putman

Have you ever gone to the doctor before? What do you see around you? Generally people that need to be there. You rarely see someone that is healthy go to the doctor because they like him, and want to give him some money. There is usually an underlying problem or concern. Even if it's an annual physical, you go because you want to be reassured that everything is okay.

Our relationship with God should be the same way. We need to constantly remember that we have a need for God. Without Him, we would be no different than the rest of the world. We would go back to our sins and trespasses and be lost without a savior.

When Jesus came to earth, he said that he didn't come for healthy people. Healthy people don't need a doctor. He came for those who were sinners and in need of repentance. (Luke 5:30-32)

I think we, as Christians, need to realize that we aren't doing anyone a service when we don't share our struggles with each other. We need to find others who are struggling with their faith, and be transparent with them so we can pray for each other and strengthen each other.

It's even okay to share with non-Christians that we struggle, and allow them to see how God works in our lives. That is a powerful testimony.

I understand it's scary to be transparent because people can be so judgmental... sometimes. But when we understand that the important thing isn't what others think, but having a living God who expresses Himself through our lives will give hope to a hurting world.

Galatians 6:1-3 - New Living Translation

 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

What would you do?

What would you do if you came face to face with a lion? Most people would try to run, but that would be pointless - lions are far faster and stronger. Some people might stand their ground - hoping and praying that by some miracle the lion might perceive you as a threat. Others might curl into a defensive ball and hope to weather what would surely be a vicious attack. In any case... most people would view the situation as hopeless.

What would happen if you were in a zoo? And a sheet of plexiglass stood between you and the lion? If the lion ran racing towards the glass, would you draw back in fear? Most would. The following video is a picture of a little girl in the zoo. When the lion comes racing at her - she barely flinches. She has faith in the glass. She believes the glass is there to protect her.

Take a look at the video...

One of the topics that we talk about with great fear is demons, the evil, Satan. The truth is that he is real. He is vicious... and he is savage. When we are out in the world... he has the ability to attack, stalk, devour. We see it in the lives of people who are ravaged by drugs, alcohol, the cares of this world that have them too consumed to realize that they need a savior.

But... for those of us that are called by the name of the Most High, the Living God... satan is nothing more than a lion in a zoo. We can stand firm knowing that his roars, accusations and attacks are nothing compared to the protection given to us by God.

So... when it seems like things are unbearable... just remember this promise:

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall life up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19 - KJV

So remember... you too can stand strong when all else seems impossible - because our God is there to fight for us and protect us, as long as we are in His will.

Selah

What's the difference?

Before and after pictures are important. They show you exactly how far you come and should be a motivation for you to not go back to where you were before. So, whether it's on a show like The Biggest Loser, Celebrity Fit Club, Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem commercials - you will always see pictures of people before their weight loss... and after.

People that knew the people before their change are amazed. Even people who struggle with their own weight loss look on in amazement and some secretly wish they could do the same thing.

The Bible says "... if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)

To me, this means that there should be some difference in the way the world views you. It might not come immediately - but the people that knew us before we came to Christ should notice some difference in our life now that we are in Christ.

When I was growing up in the church, they use to say phrases like:  "in the world" and "in Christ." When you're in the world, you look like the world. When you're in Christ... you should look like Christ!

Although we live in the world, we need to understand that we "...are not like that, for [we] are a chosen people. [We] are royal priests, a holy nation, God's own possession. As a result, [we] can show others the goodness of God, for he called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

Are we living like we are priests of a holy nation? A people called by God to be a part of Him? Can people see that in our lives? Let our lives truly be a before/after picture so those that know us will want the same changes in their lives!

Life in action...

• A few days ago I wrote a blog about a fight that I had and the power of reconciliation - how we were once enemies with Christ and the extraordinary measures that Jesus went through in order to bring us back into relationship with God. The thing is, if we are Christians, we should also be ministers of reconciliation.

  
  

  I felt impressed to write a message to Greg on Facebook. He replied - and the content is here.

  
  

  To God be the glory!

  
  

  
  

  Me

  • Hey Greg...
    You probably don't remember me, but we both got suspended for a fight that happened at Strough Jr. High 20 something years ago. Chances are you don't remember it, but I wanted to apologize. I was out of line with what I said. I was having a bad day, had just got sprayed with perfume by some guys that I thought were my friends... and before I even thought about it, I responded to you without even thinking about it.
    
    I just wanted to apologize again... and I hope all is well in your world.
    
  • 

    Living Christlike: Fight... Fight... it's over now...

    christianitystruggles.blogspot.com
    Share
• 

  22 hours ago

  Greg

  • 
    wow..i honestly don't remember, but that's par for the course with me. i
    seem to remember me being somewhat angry in my youth. i was probably being a jerk. it's nice to be older and not act that way isn't it? when i think back to how i behaved at that age, it makes me ashamed to a point.
    
    never the less we all have to live and learn.
    
    it's really big of you to apologize, but i am humbled by it. i am sure i
    am the one that should be apologizing. and i certainly do.
    
    if only we could respect one another at that age as we now do, it would
    have been a much more enjoyable experience. it's my goal to teach my son to behave better than i did. hopefully he will "get it".
    
    i wish you and your family hapiness and most importantly healthiness.
    
    greg

"All Christians struggle, and people need to know that. If they come to Christ for the wrong reasons, then when life doesn't go as they think it should, they will walk away from Jesus disappointed. Or they will think they must have done something wrong and that God hasn't saved them because they are too evil. If we act as if we're always on fire for Jesus and they know they are not, they will think something is really wrong with them." Jim Putman - Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples 

I will be the first person to admit that I don't get it right all the time. That's why I write this blog - because I realize that I'm in the fight of my life and I struggle on a daily basis to keep in my mind that God loves me and because He loves me, I need to show my love to Him by keeping His commandments. (See John 14:15)

 I like what the author said - it resonated with me this morning. I have met a lot of Christians that believe that because they are Christians nothing bad will ever happen to them. Then... when there's a problem - when they can't find work and their college loans are due, they panic because they weren't prepared for the moment.

We do a disservice to those we witness to when we tell them that everything will be fine when we become a Christian. We need to let people know that Christians have an adversary, who like a lion is walking around, seeing who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Jesus himself said that we would have trouble in this world, but gives us the future promise that He overcomes the world - which means that even in trial and adversity, we can have joy in knowing the His promises are true. (John 16:32-33)

Let's be aware that when we disciple others and share Jesus with them that we let them know that they are in for a fight... but God gives us joy and peace in the midst of it all. Let's us preach the full gospel so that people will not be tripped up unexpectedly.

For the glory of.....!!!!

There are scenes in movies that make the hair on my arm stand up. I feel like standing up and cheering. It's the call to battle against innumerable odds. It happened in the movie 300, Braveheart, and Gladiator to name a few.

These guys are fighting for honor. They are fighting for glory... and there's something that resonates inside me that makes me want to become a warrior.Do you know the feeling that I'm talking about?

It seems like fighting and living for glory and honor have been lost.Where are the people that stand up for their convictions? Where are the ordinary people that step up from the shadows and inspire people to fight this Christian fight? After all, we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and wickedness in high places.

I challenge you to be that person in your local community and in your local church.

Live that disciplined Christian life. Challenge others to press closer to God in relationship. Pray! Study. Know your God... intimately and live in the power that He has given you. Win battles by snatching people who are lost in sin and bring them into the kingdom of the Most High God, by His grace and excellent mercies.

... and let this be your rallying cry:

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever yo do, do it all for the glory of God! (1 Cor 10:31)

Fight... Fight... it's over now...

I got into a fight once when I was in junior high school. I'll never forget it. I didn't have a problem with the other person, and he didn't have a problem with me. A few careless words were exchanged and next thing I know I got punched in the nose. To this day, I think of it as a sucker punch - but that's because I wasn't expecting a fight. It was over nothing, I still remember Greg's first and last name and the look of anger and contempt that he had in his eyes.

I'm not sure we ever reconciled. I think we just kind of went our own separate ways. As a matter of fact, I looked him up on Facebook today. We have 1 mutual friend. I'm not sure what would happen if I sent him a message either. But this made me think about disagreements and arguments.

"This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." (Col 1:21-22 New Living Translation)

I feel my pulse race when I think about that fight in the cafeteria, but when I think of my life before Jesus sometimes I just give a casual shrug. We talk about God as being a loving God, but forget that He is righteous and Holy and that we were truly enemies before he reconciled us to Him by the death of his Son. That... is serious!

He brought us into his presence and views us holy and blameless. Do we cherish that? Are we grateful that has gone through the whole process of mending the relationship? Let us not forget that we were once far away from God and the extreme measures he went through to mend the relationship.

Let us also show that love to others. I think I'm going to send Greg a message...

Why so serious?

I remember when I went to see Batman… you know, the good one where Heath Ledger played The Joker. I didn’t go the first day; I waited a few days for the lines to die down and chose to go to a very early show. I even chose a smaller theater to go to so I could virtually watch the movie in peace.

When I arrived, there were two people there in line already. They had seen the movie at least 3 or 4 times. You could tell that they were excited about it. They were telling anyone who came in line that this was their favorite incarnation of Batman, and that the supporting cast of characters was the best ever. To them, this movie was worth investing in and telling everyone about it.

I was thinking… really? It’s just a movie.

This came to mind today because I was thinking about a few things. First – when was the last time that I talked with a stranger about the great things that our God has done? Second – when was the last time that you saw someone talking passionately about what God has done for them? Lastly, when was the last time you saw a group of Christians in some public place having an excited discussion about something they read in God’s Holy Word?

The truth is, sometimes we as Christians treat God’s word like it’s some kind of mystery. But believe me, there’s a lot of it that can be known. We can learn about the God’s character, what he expects from us, the tools that he has given us to be successful and most importantly – the words to share with others. There’s no need for us to keep this to ourselves because, “This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. “  (Col 1:26-29 – The Message)

What do we have to do to get excited about what God has done for us? What will it take for us to share it? Are movies and sports more important to us than God’s saving grace? I hope not! This year, let’s get excited about sharing God’s grace with others!

Why does it matter?

My oldest son is in college. He finished up his first semester year with a low A average. I was proud of him. Now... he's in his sophomore year, and things are getting a little tougher. This semester was harder for him. At one point he called me and said "Dad, you really have to study!" I laughed because I had been trying to build this habit in him for a long time.

I remember college - there are a lot of activities going on - and studying always seemed to get in the way. There were far more things that I wanted to do! Admittedly, my first semester of college I felt the same and finished up that semester with a 1.7 grade point average... out of 4.0!

Without studying, I wasn't prepared for the tests. That... was a rude awakening. I went on to graduate with a 3.9 grade point average - but it took discipline.. and study. More than that, it took meditating on what I was learning and finding ways to apply it to every day life so it would stick with me. I remember driving down the road working out physics problems on angular velocity and centripetal and centrifugal force. That's what it took in order to become a better student.

The Bible says that we should "study to show ourselves approved...", but it goes deeper than that. We shouldn't be studying just so we can show our friends that we know a thing or two about what the Bible says. It goes deeper than that.

Studying the word of God and meditating on it will cause God's words to become a part of us. It will get into our heart! And that... is what will help us in our Christian struggle. The Psalmist understood this when he said

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God." Psalms 119:11

Having God's word in our hearts changes us and our outlook on life - just like studying changed me from being a failing student to being at the head of the class.

So... let's start this year off making scripture memory a part of our Christian life.

Spiritual Survival Kit

It's 2012. Last year, there were a lot of people talking about the world coming to an end in 2012 because that's when the Mayan calendar expires. For those of us that are Christians, we know that no man knows the day or the hour, so we patiently wait and live a spiritually disciplined life as we wait for God to send his blessed son Jesus back again. Amen.

I went over to my bookshelf today and picked up a book that we used in college called the "Survival Kit for New Christians"... I dusted it off and decided to go through the series again as a refresher. The first thing they recommend is establishing a quiet time. this is all so good, I thought I would share. (The book is currently out of print.)

Would you expect to be healthy if the only time you are a meal was on Sunday morning? Of course not! You would not survive long. Do you think you will be any healthier spiritually if you wait until Sunday morning to digest spiritual truth?

A daily quit time is the answer. Each day, you must find a time to be alone with Christ! You will be pleased with the results of doing so. You will be a health Christian.

Here are some suggestions for starting your daily time with the Lord.

1. HAVE A SPECIFIC PLACE FOR IT. It's important to have a regular place to meet your Lord. A desk, a table, or even the side of your bed will do. It is very important that you schedule 15 minutes for your Quiet Time. If it is possible, schedule your Quiet Time at the start of your day. Your day will be different because you met Christ first.

2. BE CONSISTENT. A hit-and-miss pattern is an indication that you are not as serious as you need to be about growing as a Christian. Computer workers use the expression, "Garbage in, garbage out!" They mean that if you put wrong information into a computer, that is all it will produce. In a very real way, this is true of Christians, too. Your Quiet Time is the time when you "program" your day to let Christ be Lord of your life.

3. HAVE A BIBLE AND PENCIL HANDY. ... use your Sunday School lesson, your Church Training material, or other Scripture material... Later, you will learn how to do personal Bible study. Then perhaps you will want to add a small notebook for keeping a spiritual diary.

4. BEGIN WITH PRAYER. Open your heart to Christ, offering him the right to teach, discipline, or to direct you as you study. tell him of your love. Share your concerns with him.

5. END WITH A DEFINITE PROJECT FOR THE DAY RELATED TO WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED. Before you stop, decide how you can live out the truth you have learned in your Quiet Time. This practical expression of truths grasped will make a very down-to-earth Christian out of you!

That's good stuff... and a practice that I try to follow... and... where most of the content for this blog comes from... spending time with my Lord, asking him what I need to work on. It's helped me struggle to survive as a Christian!

Are you blending in?

There are some people who behave differently depending on who they are around. I found this out, when I was single and in the dating world. There was the person in the profile, the person you met on the first date, then the total stranger they became when they were around their friends OR family!

It's true, one person once told me that I needed to be more of a chameleon and adapt to be more like the people that I was around to fit into the situation. The problem of course was that I understood something that prevented me from adapting or conforming to the the way everyone else is...

"By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." 1 John 4:13-15 New American Standard Version

Think about it. every day - once you become a Christian, the God that created the universe abides in you, and you're always in his presence. If we really thought about that... if we really believed that... would it change the way that we acted in a regular basis?

It's easy to pretend to be someone that we aren't, but those that are closest to us know when we are faking it. Starting this new year, let's strive to not blend in with the world, but blend in with God - so when the world sees us... they see our Father!

Check out this video...