Devotionals

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Each day that we are given to live is a gift--precious moments God has entrusted to us. We cannot afford to sleep the time away (Romans 13:11) or be lulled into complacency by the devil. Our hearts need to be thoroughly right with God now. Now is the Time to give Him our best for we may not have tomorrow and even if we do, today was not meant to be wasted.

I know that most of us ere on the prayer network probably are "seasoned" Christians. But yet perhaps we think we are okay and without need. Would you be willing to just take a few moments and consider your life. It is nothing more than a vapor (James 4:14)? Consider your present life in relation to eternity (Matthew 6:20). I am in no way trying to be judgmental, but if the shoe fits, well.... Make the corrections that need to be made and be conformed more into the image of Christ. After all, that is why we exist.

How much time do you spend in prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17)? Have you considered single day fasts--perhaps even once a week. Are you spending time in God's Word? Are you studying His Word, not just reading it (II Timothy 2:15)? Do you keep godly company (II Corinthians 6:14-17)? Do you practice witnessing for the Lord on a regular basis? (Mark 16:15) Are you seeking the power of God on your life and ministry now? Is God your reason for everything you do?

Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ... (Philippians 1:21) To me that means giving God His rightful place in our lives. We are to do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31). There ought to be no higher goal in life than to make Jesus the Lord of our life. That means that He is the Master and we are His slave. We have no rights. He owns us, and we are here to do is bidding, not ours.

We can be obsessed with so many things of the world, but when it comes to the Lord we have all kinds of excuses. Excuses why we cannot get up and go to church (Hebrews 10:25), excuses why we cannot tithe, or give an offering to a missionary (Malachi 3:8-10) who has sacrificed his life for the Lord...excuses, excuses.

Our church is located along the main street of town. I was standing outside the church on the sidewalk to greet people as they came. I saw one of our "members" coming down the street and I welcomed her. She informed she could not stay because she was sick and she continued on down the street to a local store to shop. Another told me she could not stay because she had to go to Walmart to buy hairspray.

It is time to get real. Our love (or lack of love) for Christ shows through in so many ways. Our actions speak louder than our words and hypocrisy shows through the cracks in our armor.

Is this why Jesus died?--to make a way of ease for us?...to allow us to live a life of pleasure?...to allow us to live a life of pure selfishness?...to claim the name of Christ without making a difference for Christ in our world. We all know the answers to those questions. But I am sure that even as I write this, there will be many "Christians" who ignore the Truth and continue to live in sin while believing that God is okay with that.
If you are truly seeking Christ, you will take a challenge and consider it, make the corrections that need to be made, and go on serve the living God. We have a battle to fight. Let us wake up now and fight. Please seek the Lord now while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). Tomorrow may be too late. Will you be living proof of what you claim to be--purchased by the blood of Christ?

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