Time to Make Some Changes

Life can be unpredictable. Events occur that force us to make changes – sometimes quickly and unexpectedly. Some are able to adjust and recover quickly. Others are able to accommodate the changes with a little effort and time. However, some are not able to respond to the changes that certain situations demand.

 As Christians, we have to remember that we can do all things through Christ. In our Christian walk, though, there are times when God will require us to make changes as we strive to live for Him.

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it. Josh 1:11 (KJV)

Israel was preparing to enter into Canaan. For forty years, they have received bread from heaven, but now they had to go and gather their own food. They had to change their approach to living as they entered into God’s promises.

If we are to receive certain things from the Lord and progress in our relationship with Him, we will have to change our way of doing certain things. At this time in your life, take inventory. Are there things in your life that He is challenging you to change or modify? If so, do not resist it. Though work is involved, it will bless you in this life.

Prayer of the Week:

“God, give me strength to make the necessary move and adjustments in my life. I thank you that your plans for me are for good. Amen.”

Don’t Pass the Blame

 Growing up, I never liked to get in trouble. Well, who does? So, when questioned as to why I   did certain things, I would give many reasons except the only true one – I wanted to. Even from the earliest records of man’s existence, we find that blame-shifting was employed to escape trouble. In the Garden of Eden, Adam blamed Eve for his disobedience and Eve blamed the serpent.

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Gen 3:12-13 (KJV)

As Christians, we have to avoid blame-shifting when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Sometimes we blame others at church for our negative dispositions. We can blame family members for our troubles and burdens. The list can go on. However,  we  must  be responsible for our walks with

Christ (owning up to the good and the bad).

In confessing your personal faults and weaknesses, you leave the door open for God’s grace and help so that you can overcome. Do not pass the blame, but be honest. In doing so, you prove yourself to be a servant of Christ indeed.

Prayer of the Week:

“I thank you for your mercy and grace. I trust that you will help me overcome every area of weakness brought to you in faith and assurance. I thank you now. Amen”

The Case for Creation

 

        The Bible says that in the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth, and everything that is visible to man.  Secular and religious scholars, however, have adopted the belief that the biblical account of Creation is a product of Jewish mythology, rather than an actual occurrence. However, Christians have to remain adamant about Creation; knowing that God spoke the world into existence. 

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. Heb 11:3 (KJV) 

Never doubt that God created all things. All of creation points to the fact that there was a Creator. The complexity of the things that have been created reveal the existence of a greater power; that is, God. Though scholars may provide numerous supports for their claims that it did not occur in this manner, do not be moved.

Do not be shaken because everything concerning Creation cannot be proven or explained. Just because men do not believe, does not make it false. God created the world and humankind in His likeness and image. Christians KNOW that God did it because of faith.

Prayer of the week:

“Lord, help me to trust in You as the Creator of all. I thank You for renewed faith and trust in Your eternal existence and power. Amen.”

In Spite of Me

Did I do that? Have you ever said that yourself? As Christians, sometimes we can make the same mistakes over again. Even after prayer and hearing sermons, we can still choose to conduct ourselves in a manner that is inconsistent with the faith of Jesus Christ.

Because of this, some feel that God will leave them and will not help them when they are in trouble because of their mistakes. However, the story of Abraham shows us that God may not always allow us to reap the consequences of bad decisions.

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. Gen 20:3 (KJV)

Abraham lied to Abimelech, not revealing that Sarah was his wife. Just like with Pharaoh, Sarah was taken. However, we discover that God showed up to protect Sarah and Abraham, though they were in the wrong. What a demonstration of God’s graciousness!

On today, what mistakes have you made? Have you resolved to live with the consequences while not asking for God’s intervention? There are times when we will have to live with the consequences of bad decisions, but we find that God may show us mercy as He did Abraham. He did it in spite of their error. Just know that God will remain faithful to you, in spite of you. He will be faithful to me, in spite of me. Trust in His love and graciousness to bring you from the failures of the past and into successes of the future.

Prayer of the Week: 

“Lord, grant me grace to receive forgiveness and invite you into my present situation. You will be faithful unto the end. Amen.”