F4S: Happy Easter..On lockdown! Q. Has the ardent relational zeal and devotion you had faded a bit? Let's see that fixed! Easter.. now even is a good time to be and walk clean in the Lord. Yes, it's a good day for a "Spring Cleaning" spiritually. Once red hot passionate Christians (is that you?) really do need this from time to time.
"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." —2 Timothy 2:21
Have you left your first-love? Are you icy stone cold, miserable luke-warm or hot spiritually? Worldly hardhearted or moldable by God with soft tender heart?
We all need a good case of spiritual heart-burn, like those guys on the Emmaus Road experienced.
Heads up, buttercup. Drifting, straying away, or backsliding ..it ain’t really beyond me or any of us doing. Don't bail on the Lord! It's time to get close!
You show me a person who has taken that stride.. one who has walked away from their walk of biblical faith, and I’ll show you a series of smaller steps that basically led to that lame decision. Think about it..when someone backslides away from Jesus, it’s generally very subtle and very gradual the digression. It’s sorta like cutting off the good fuel to a wellbuilt train going under full power in the right direction down the tracks. The train doesn’t suddenly stop, or fall left off the way. Typically, the train still apparently progresses.. goes on because it has some momentum. Sure, but it slows down gradually, gradually and eventually comes to a stop. It’s the same way with our spiritual lives. As we’re involved in fueling our Christian lives and moving forward, there is lots of power. We abide and the Spirit empowers us to change the world. But then one day we stop doing the basic things that we need to do in order to grow healthy spiritually. We’re still chugging along, but we’re slowing down some. Then our progress gets slower and slower until one day it finally comes to a complete standstill there. This is why we all need to have the holy fear of God, and humbly keep as much distance from sin as we possibly can. What sins have attracted you most in the past? Do you steer clear from the areas or people where those sins can easily be found? An elderly man who was known for his godly life was asked, “What do you do when you get tempted?” The man replied,
“I just look up to Heaven and say, ‘Lord, your property is in danger.’”
That is a great thing to say. The Bible tells us, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16 NLT). And 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (NLT). We need to live a sanctified life, which means being set apart. We need to be holy, but we also need to be wholly committed to Christ.
Don’t put it off — you know too many people procrastinate with a mañana attitude with this most important choice. When ya stumble run to God, not away from. When ya fall. Get up and run to God, not away from Him, or your Bible, or away from a healthy church, godly friends, or an on-fire born again pastor. May I ask.. Have you left your first love? Have you somehow gotten kind of distracted and taken a stride from your Master’s side?
Got problems with your parents, spouse, boss at work or other relationships that bug you — that you can’t fix? Has God been trying to get your attention. I say, Have all your sins under the blood, hide no area or sin of darkness — tell on yourself to God. Bring it all out into the light. Turn, confess, forsake the idols and besetting sins that can destroy and hurt many lives. What do you talk about most, think about most — where do your eyes go, does your money and free time go? Have you earnestly been diligently sowing to the Spirit daily, or primarily to the world, to your fleshly, or to elsewhere?
Q. Have you ever been closer to the Lord, believer, than you are right now..than you are today? Have you been asleep in the light? Have you been seeking Jesus first.. and His specific will for you? Are you alive and awake, or stiff and cold — dead? What’s your temp? Are you spiritually cold, luke-warm, red hot? Do you have a reputation in the community for being alive and strong spiritually, but ain’t? If so, then you are backslidden spiritually. Not a prob too big for God. He will forgive. Let’s see that fixed. What does God say?The Bible says: And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”"
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked —
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” See Rev. 3:1-19. And Earlier to the angel of the church of Ephesus write (in verses2:2-5) "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent."
Reminds me of these words: "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."
Pete slid away. Remember? But how could Peter, part of the Lord’s inner circle, part of the three.. backslide and end up denying Christ? Seems that Judas could not even wait to go do what he did. Even though he had the best teaching and teacher, Judas would blindly follow his own course all the way into a real place called Hell. Man, have you seen rational people, who knew better go do the most horrible and insane things imaginable.. under the power of sin? I have. Sin makes people stupid. King Solomon, who was known for all his wisdom, also openly and blatantly sinned against God. That is why we need to live cautiously with the holy fear of God.. be careful with how we walk. We think we can handle some sins. We say, "Oh, this sin won’t be a problem for me. I am know for being strong and am very strong." But listen Buckeroo, that is the beginning of a spiritual backslide.
Put your hope primarily in Christ today, not in preachers, or in a career, or in a church or denomination, or in some moral as your close friend, or in bucks, banks, investments.. or in politicians, or even in yourself. Who needs any idol? Have you felt discouraged, hopeless, disillusioned lately?
The Bible says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
The Bible tells us that Jesus made many appearances after His resurrection. On one occasion, He appeared to 500 people. Another time, He appeared along shore as the disciples were out fishing on the Sea of Galilee. And when they came in, He served them breakfast. John’s Gospel records the after-breakfast conversation Jesus had with Peter:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? "He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."He said to him, "Feed My lambs."He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? "He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? "Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."(John 21:15–17)
Notice how many times Jesus asked that question: three times. How many times did Peter deny the Lord? Three times. Maybe there is a correlation between the two, and maybe not. But Jesus was recommissioning Peter. This serves as a reminder that no matter what we have done, no matter what sins we have committed, there is always room for forgiveness. Maybe you are in a backslidden state right now. Maybe you have hit bottom like Peter did, and you don’t see a way out. There is always a way out. It is a way up, and it is through Jesus Christ. Take His hand and accept His forgiveness as you turn from your sin.
You know that your loving heavenly Father God knows it all anyway, so be quick to run to and tell on yourself. Jesus knows what’s best for you. Did you know that He totally understands the struggles and what you’ve been going through.He way-fully knows what are feeling now and have been going through. Yes, right now! Hebrews 4:15 says we do not have a High Priest who cannot Sympathize with our Weaknesses. Jesus was in all points TESTED as we are yet he is without Sin.What Goes Together Good With Simple Bible Teaching? Wise Application!Jesus Christ loves you so So SO much and He completely understands what you...what we are going through. It may seem like God is far away, ignores you, and does not even care.. yet this could not be further from the truth. Read that again.. like 100 times until it sinks in.
JESUS UNDERSTANDS what YOU ARE GOING THROUGH Right Now
You can Call Out to Him with your Questions, Concerns, Fears.
Never be Afraid to Commit an UNKNOWN FUTURE to a KNOWN GOD.
Let it rain, God. We need another downpour again. We do, and our nation does. I pray today that God will turn our nation back, that individual Americans one by one turn back to Him. People repent and believe receiving free forgiveness and born again one by one. Does your Land need this turning as well--do you need Him? I pray for a biblical revival in His church, that God will use the circumstances for good and give us a spiritual awakening.
“IF MY PEOPLE, who are called by my name, Will Humble Themselves and Pray and Seek my face and Turn from their Wicked Ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their Sin and will Heal their Land." 2 Chr. 7:14 #emph.mine
Good idea. Muse on and Meditate upon the truths in these Scriptures..
Luke 19
Ephesians 4:32
Hebrews 4:15
Luke 19:11
2 Chronicles 7:14
Luke 19:37–40
Luke 19:45–48
Mark 11:15
1 John 1:8–9
Do you set the temperature in the room, or do you merely reflect it? To put it another way, are you changing the world, or is the world changing you?
Are you a like a thermometer or more like a thermostat? You know how both devices deal with the current temperature, but their uses are different.
A thermometer simply reflects the temperature, but a thermostat actually determines what the temperature will be. A thermostat can be adjusted in such a way to vastly improve the environment and to the real needs of the room. I am thinking about those in that area.
"O Thou who camest from above, the pure celestial fire to impart kindle a flame of sacred love upon the mean altar of my heart. There let it for thy glory burn with inextinguishable blaze, and trembling to its source return, in humble prayer and fervent praise. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire to work and speak and think for thee; still let me guard the holy fire, and still stir up thy gift in me. Ready for all thy perfect will, my acts of faith and love repeat, till death thy endless mercies seal, and make my sacrifice complete." ~ Charles Wesley
WHY WAIT ANOTHER DAY TO KNOW AND SERVE THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY? MAY I ASK.. ARE YOU CURRENTLY RED HOT PASSIONATE SPIRITUALLY.. FOR THE LIVING WORD OF GOD (THAT’S THE LORD), ARE YOU MORE LUKEWARM SPIRITUALLY.. OR PERHAPS EVEN CHILLY INSIDE?
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." —1 Peter 3:15
"Our God is a consuming fire and will destroy earth's temporal things; He seeks to purify our lives for service to the King of kings." ~ David DeHaan
How are you? I hope well on every level. Just checking in.
"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." —2 Timothy 2:21
Have you left your first-love? Are you icy stone cold, miserable luke-warm or hot spiritually? Worldly hardhearted or moldable by God with soft tender heart?
