So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)
I recently read that 80% of people take their cell phones to bed with them. Chances are the last thing they do at night before falling asleep or the first thing the next morning when waking up is check their messages, emails or troll Facebook or Twitter checking out the status of others lives. At first I was shocked. Even a bit appalled. Then I realized I was a part of the 80%. I had a problem.
Checking messages, emails, or social networks isn’t necessarily the problem. There are things that deserve our attention and response. I think the problem lies in the timing. We are stewards of our time and attention. As a follower of Jesus my heart and focus should on what God’s will is for any given day. When I check messages or emails before I check with God I may be allowing others to plan and prioritize my day before I ever talk with God or look at His Word.
Before you visit your inbox visit with God. Trust me, that email about a 25% sale or that funny picture on Facebook can wait. Begin and end each day on your knees in prayer and remember to keep the conversation running with God throughout the day. (1 Thess. 5:17) Scripture teaches the principle of sowing and reaping. When you put the right stuff in, you get the right stuff out. Unfortunately the opposite is true as well. Be wise. Be disciplined. Be focused. You will never go wrong putting God first!
“Be My witnesses.” -Jesus (Acts 1:8)
Our first mission as a church is to connect people to God. One’s relationship with God is the most important relationship they will ever have. It is the relationship that not only transforms this life but is the relationship that determines one’s eternal destiny. The Bible is clear, this necessary relationship with God is only available through Jesus. (John 14:6) Whether for the first time, or a prodigal coming back home, or in an ongoing growing relationship, our core purpose as a church is to connect people to God.
This idea of connecting people with God can also be found in our activ8 discipleship series that you can review at christianlifechurch.org and click Watch Now. As followers of Jesus we are called to be involved in active evangelism. Some of the final words of Jesus are a command to you and me, “Be My witnesses.” Everyone you know would be better off with God at the center of their lives. There is not one person you know that wouldn’t benefit from having that essential relationship with God.
Next Sunday, August 26th at 6PM we will be hosting the Greg Laurie Harvest America at Christian Life. For 22 years Greg Laurie has held crusades around the country sharing the Gospel, inviting people to connect with God, and this year he is inviting churches across America to open their doors and to bring in a live simulcast, in order to proclaim the gospel on One Day, as One Church, with One Message. Who can you invite to this very special event? Who in your life needs Jesus? Take time to make a special invitation this week.
We will be hosting a picnic as well as a great kid’s event during the Harvest America Sunday. Take time to visit the church’s website for more information and keep next weekend in prayer. Let’s believe God for a great harvest here and across America!
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
John 15:7
Abiding with God is a key ingredient to revival. Want to see revival in your life? Abide with God. All day. Every day. You’ll see revival.
But something BIG happens when we abide with God. God’s Word says when we abide with Him, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” Wow!
The other day I was planning some quality time with one of my boys. I said we could do whatever he wanted. I was thinking of an overnight trip to a hotel with a water park, Six Flags, perhaps a baseball game, but definitely something BIG. His response, “Let’s go to McDonald’s.” McDonald’s? Don’t get me wrong, I love McDonald’s, but that’s the BIG thing you you want to do with dad? I felt like saying, “Hey kid, it’s me, your Dad you’re talking to. I would do anything you wanted to do. Give you anything I could give you.”
Remember who you’re Father is when you pray. And if you’re asking for only the “little” things ask the big question, “Do I really know my Heavenly Father?” God is love. (1 John 4:8) He loves you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) As an earthly father I want to bless my children. I want to spend time with my children. How much more does our perfect Heavenly Father wants to bless and abide with His children? (Luke 11:13)
Abide with God this week. Get up on your knees. Go to bed on your knees. And in the meantime, keep a running conversation with God going. (1 Thess. 5:17) Abide with God and see what He puts on your heart to ask for.
While there aren’t a lot of verses about Caleb in the Old Testament there is a phrase which follows him throughout his life as it’s recorded in the Pentateuch... “Caleb wholly followed the Lord.” What a statement to describe your life! Who wouldn’t want to be a person who was said to “wholly” follow the Lord?
As we talk about revival this summer at Christian Life it is clear that revival will not be a part-time part of our life. Revival isn’t easy. It isn’t convenient. Revival will be all-encompassing. Revival will come when “all” of me wants “all” of God.
Caleb followed God when he was young AND when he was old. Caleb followed in the wilderness AND in the Promised Land. Caleb followed God when no one else would. Caleb wasn’t afraid of a giant or a battle. Caleb followed God with an undivided heart and never turned back no matter how long it took to see God’s promises fulfilled. “Caleb wholly followed the Lord.”
I’ve been saying it each week, revival is not a weekend thing. We can’t come to church, experience God in a powerful way, and then go back to life as usual during the weekdays and truly experience revival. A divided life will never produce revival. Our relationship with God needs be a 24/7/365 thing. Start fresh with God again today. Live with and for Him each and every day. Live in such a way that when it’s all been said and done they will say of you, “________, wholly followed the Lord.”
