WALKING SMALL!
Sunday’s Monday
This is a situation that many Christians find themselves in and have no clue why they are or how they got there. They are doing what they were taught: attend church every Sunday, pay tithe on their income, and be involved in the workings of the church. Many read their bible and a devotional every morning, then end with a short prayer as we dash around to start the day. Ironically many will leave home for work, school, and errands, or simply start in on daily chores with the attitude of a bear. I used to hear this a bunch when I was employed, don’t talk to me until I have my first cup of coffee. Maybe it was my pride or plain old selfishness, but I almost always felt offended at the fact, that my presence carried such a small value with them. Then one morning, God placed the thought in my mind, that it is not my worth that is being devalued, it is theirs. They unknowingly exclaim that the devotional they had read earlier elevated their spirit to less than that of their first cup of coffee. Oddly enough the thought that just came to mind was the Folgers Coffee jingle, The Best Part Of Waking Up, Is Folgers In Your Cup, and we buy into that. How sad is it to visualize your day getting no better than that of your first cup of coffee?
We put such stupid limitations on God and yet He still manages to bless us in spite of our subconscious decision to be little His effort. Truth, this moment in time is never as good as it gets! We deliberately fail to grasp the details within our devotional and completely miss the effectiveness of spending time in God’s word. Many will choose to race through today never glimpsing the potential blessings that God has packed it with, just for them. Every blessing that God gives is custom created for the intended recipient. I don’t usually do this but for the sake of space, the last line of James 4:2&3 (NLT), Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong, you want only what will give you pleasure. Pause for a moment and think about this, a great day, begins with a great start, so slow down and seek what God is planning to do with you.
The bible is filled with scripture passages that are designed to help us get through each day as servers of God and man. However, many people (agnostic and Christian alike) simply don’t know how to honestly follow Jesus or walk with God, or be guided by God’s Holy Spirit because their time with God suffers such lack. We share so little time with God getting to know Him because of what we’ve been taught about Him. Say a prayer, read the bible, and be a good person, and here’s why. A lot of people think reading the bible is like reading a book and I wish that were true as most people understand what they read in a book. But the bible requires study which is far more reaching than reading. The difference between reading and studying is reading increases literary knowledge whereas studying brings forth a wisdom to apply said knowledge to one’s situation. I believe that is what James was saying when he penned James 4:5 (NLT), Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. I believe God measures our passion for Him through the time we spend with Him. Quoting the bible verse by verse and word for word is useless if we’re not empowered with His love. As well, we’ll learn that spouting scripture to an agnostic will compare to that of convincing a small child that medicine is good for them. They have no understanding of what we’re saying. This is why everything we feel we should do is in accordance with God’s will and under His guidance and direction.
So many Christians today are spiritually walking small! Meaning there is little to no lasting impact applied with contact. One of the biggest things I remember about being an alcoholic is I couldn’t and or wouldn’t understand people's bible thumping. Almost all of them were filled with the holier than thou syndrome and insisted I was on my way to hell. But one day I met a man who said God loves you and if you’ll let me, I’ll help you get through today living for Jesus so that tomorrow can be a better day. Not one word of hell was mentioned and soon after I heard his testimony and my expectations were raised to following Jesus for no other reason than to know Him., I did not know James 4:6 (NLT), And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” However today I do know and understand the good gifts of God as He is giving me the very best of Him every day.
My prayer this week is from James 4:17 (NLT), Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. Lord, help each of us to know your will for our lives and to walk tall knowing that you’re giving us your best. May we come to know what makes you tick in vivid detail. May we become eager to do that which you instruct without delay. Help our actions be the preacher of your sermons. Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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