Time To Act!

As in my earlier post, God really spoke to me concerning some things that I have put off. It is now time for me to act! We each have to take time and just listen to God and act in obedience. One of my favorite scriptures is from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It reminds us that the Lord has a plan for each of us. I find encouragement in that scripture. It seems that some of us are more interested in the worldly ways than God's ways. It seems that we are so consumed with the business of our lives that when it comes to God, he is often overlooked, sometimes becoming second in our life and in some cases maybe even further down. We must take a look at our priorities. God should always come first, he comes before our husband, our kids, our family and friends, our work, our school and all other activities. Hope you are paying attention. We get so consumed with watching TV, playing video games, computer games, and spending time on the Internet that God's time becomes minimal. We spend more time with that than we do with the Word of God or praying. We have probably got up at least one morning in a rush and didn't even think to give the Lord time that morning. We probably all have been guilty of this very thing. God has something so great for us if we would just listen and spend more time in His Word and be willing to be used. It is time to start taking that leap of faith and doing it and stop sitting back waiting for something to happen. We have to desire the same love for others as Jesus Christ. He sought the lost and that is what we are each called to do. We must seek the lost and share the good news of Jesus Christ. It is time to act! We cannot be a people or a church of complacency but a church and a people whose deepest desire is to minister to others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ desires that personal relationship with Him. Revelation 2:4-5 speaking to the Church of Ephesus "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love... Repent and do the things you did at first..." James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

The Lord really spoke to my heart about really loving him during the Winter Retreat. It really makes you think, are we really doing everything God has intended for us to do? Can we do more? It takes being committed to Christ and living for Him. We must learn to Pray, Live, Serve, Tell and Give.

* Pray - Prayer is the key, it is our communication with the Lord, our time alone with the Lord where we lay down our requests and our burdens before the Lord and listen for His Word.
* Live - Live a life that reflects that of Jesus Christ, in other words, be an example of His great love. May others see your life as a reflection of Jesus Christ.
* Serve - Be a servant, in order to serve you have to be willing to be a servant first.
* Tell -Tell your story, your testimony, everyone has a story. You have to be willing to be a witness for Jesus Christ. You must be willing to share your story with others. You never know what others have been through; your testimony could be what they need to hear.
* Give - Give your lives to God, give him your all in all. Give of your time and of your finances. He deserves our very best in everything we do.

We each have a mission in life. Are we willing to yield? Are we ready to follow Christ? Are we ready to give him our very best in everything we do? Are we listening to His Word? Are we being obedient to what he has called us to do? Now is the time to act. Put your complete trust in Christ and allow him to use you. God has incredible things in store for each of us if we only obey his Word. We can all be used whether in school, at work, at the check-out line, at the park or even at a game, God can always use each of us to be a witness. It may even be in front of you and you may not realize it until you take the step of faith. It seems God always uses you the most when you least expect it and sometimes in circumstances in which you are facing a hardship. I thank God for his saving grace. He has graciously blessed us. May God help you to become a prayer warrior, live fully for Him, a servant, a witness and give your life to Christ. Help us to be obedient to your Word and walk by faith. Help us Lord to give our very best in all that we do. Help us to take that leap of faith and act now! May your will be done in our life Lord, not our will, but your will be done. Thank you Lord for your many blessings!

Do You Truly Love the Lord?

My husband and I just got back from our Youth Winter Retreat. It was truly AMAZING! The Holy Spirit was felt throughout the place; students’ lives were being transformed. I love to see the Lord at work in our students. The message that night spoke to our hearts, for each one of us felt the presence of the Lord. The speaker had us get alone with the Lord and write a love letter to Jesus that night. It was a time to reflect on how much we really love the Lord. Do we really love the Lord? Are we going through the motions just because it is the right thing to do? Are we playing the religious game? Are we really being real with the Lord? How much time do we spend with the Lord? Do we put our activities, TV, computer and video games ahead of the Lord? Do we allow our relationships with our boyfriend\girlfriend, wife or husband to come before the Lord? As I was writing my love letter to the Lord, I felt such a heaviness in my heart for I knew that I could do more for Him than what I was doing. I was praying, crying and writing from the heart. I knew that I had failed God so many times and yet He has graciously forgiven me and given me chance after chance. It is truly amazing what God reveals when you just listen.

How do we show him our love, is it by what we do? What we say? How we worship? How we live? Why is it that when we come to church, we come unexpecting or unprepared? Maybe we haven't even spent time alone with God or even read our Bible that day. Yet when we have a basketball game we are ready for the game filled with excitement. When we have a dance competition or cheerleading tournament we come prepared. What does that say to God? Where does God truly stand in your life? Do you truly love the Lord? It is time we start coming to church with that same excitement, prayed up and ready for what God has in store for us. When we come expecting great things, filled with excitement and ready for the move of the Lord, then we will see a revival start to take place within our hearts and our church. So the question remains, "Do you truly love the Lord?" Where are you putting God? In other words, are we putting our family, our activities above the Lord? It is time to set our priorities straight, God first! I challenge each of you reading this post, get alone with God and write your own love letter to Him. You will be amazed at what God will reveal to your heart. If we allow God to move in us just imagine the difference we could make to a lost and dying world. We must allow others to see the love for Christ within us and show them the same love. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, what greater love is there than that? Please take a moment and reflect on the Word of God.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 12:9-10 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

God loves you! Do you really love God? I am often reminded of the scripture found in John 21: 15-17: Jesus saids to Peter, "Do you truly love me?" Peter replies, "Yes Lord you know that I love you." Jesus asked Peter this 3 times. The third time Peter replied, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Do you truly love Jesus? Do you give him your very best? May God Bless each of you. May he speak to your heart about His true and amazing love. May we desire more and more of Him. May we be filled with an overflowing of His great love. May His Word consume our hearts. Thank you Lord for your love and help us to be the witness you have called us to be. Help us to fall in love with you again!!! Help us to have that burning fire for you! Go expecting and receive a blessing!!!