As our children in America go back to school soon, what we expect them to do? Learn, be obedient and respectful to their teachers and make good friends. How much more should we as Christians become as children. God wants us to study His Word, be obedient to Him, respect our pastors and teachers and have fellowship with other believers. Are you His child?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Sometimes, we have to send out an SOS to the Lord in prayer. He is faithful to answer. An acronym for how to get prayers answered follows:
Sincere: it is important that we are sincere when we pray. God knows our heart and He knows if we really desire what we are asking for.
Obedience: we must be sure we are obedient to God’s word. There must not be any known sin in our lives.
Specific: we must be specific and tell God exactly what we need.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Hebrews 3:15
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts….
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus was foretold by Micah 700 years before Christ’s birth. Micah named the exact town and Matthew records the event. Bethlehem is still standing today and both Biblically and historically is proven to be the actual place where Jesus was born.
The journey to Bethlehem took Mary and Joseph about 4 days. It was not an easy journey for a woman about to give birth. Tradition says she rode on a donkey but that is not in the Bible account. She may have had to walk that distance.
Today take a few minutes from your busy Christmas preparation and think about the obedience of Joseph and Mary. They were willing to sacrifice time, ridicule, and hardship to bring JESUS into the world.
Two humans that made a difference to everyone from that time for all eternity.
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Have you ever done something or said something you are truly sorry for? Maybe you hurt someone you love and need to ask forgiveness, but do not want to open that wound again. The Bible clearly states we need to forgive one another. In fact if a brother (another Christian) has hurt you, you are to go to them and ask their forgiveness. Somehow in our human minds that seems unfair, but think about our relationship to God. We have hurt Him many times, before salvation and especially after we have been saved. Disobedience, apathy and many other things too numerous to mention, and yet He in His love for us has forgiven us for ALL our sins. Let us show our love to Him by forgiving one another.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses
Today, is Presidents’ Day in the USA. No matter what our political affiliation is, wherever we live or how we feel about our leaders in government, the Bible is very clear on what we need to do for those in authority. It is our responsibility to pray for them. If every Christian would pray for the President , Vice President, Congress, Governor and local leaders we would be doing what the Lord expects us to do. So the challenge today is to take just a few moments and pray for our leaders. There are many people from other countries that read this blog, and you also need to pray for your political leaders.
1 Timothy 2:1&2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
No matter what the circumstance, weather or trial in your life, God tells us to rejoice and be glad. Not always easy to do but God will bless if we rejoice out of obedience even if we don’t feel it at the moment. The key is “we will”.
Can we be thankful for the bad things in life? Maybe we don’t feel thankful, but God tells us to be thankful in all things. Tell Him you are thankful not because of feelings but because of obedience. Eventually, after a period of time you will be able to thank Him in your heart and remember the precious memories of the good things God has given you. (This is my experience after the death of 2 beloved sons)
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
“If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” Adrian Rogers
Many of us are busy. Busy doing what is the question. Too busy to serve The Lord by doing things that do not matter? God wants us to serve Him. Prayer, Bible study, Worship, Witnessing and Obeying Him is what He wants from us as Christians. Spend time everyday serving Him. Do not be too busy.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
