Getting ready

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Getting Ready to Meet With God

Amos 4:12

"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel."

When you have a special guest coming to your house, I would imagine that you make special preparations for their visit. The house gets an extra touch of cleaning, for you want your house to be in great shape for the guest. You make sure the atmosphere is set so the guest will enjoy their time with you. You put on the best menu so they will not leave regretting coming over to your place. You may even plan conversations and activities so they won't be bored while they visit with you. All of this is done because you want your special guest to feel welcome while they are with you.

There is a special guest that you ought to meet with on a daily basis. This special guest is God. The verse above says, "...prepare to meet thy God,..." Though this verse is talking about God's judgment that was to come to Israel, I believe this statement can be applied to our daily personal time with God. Everyday when you meet with God in the Scriptures and prayer, you should want that time to be special, not just for you, but also for God. However, if you don't prepare yourself to meet with God, then you will find yourself quickly going through your time with Him as if you are paying penance. Let me give you some ways that you can prepare yourself to meet with God on a daily basis.

First, put all distractions away. You need to be sure that there is nothing that will distract you when you meet with Him. Our attention span is so short that the Devil will do everything he can to get our attention away from God. Many times this is not intentional on our behalf, but it happens. God also will not force Himself upon us. So be sure that you remove anything that could be a distraction during your time with Him.

Second, you must get rid of all sin. Your time with God will not be a special time if you have sin in your life. In fact, Psalm 66:18 teaches that if we have known sin in our life that God will not hear us. You can invite God over all you want, but He won't show up if you leave your heart filthy with sin. The first thing you should do before meeting with God is confess your sin to Him. Clean up your heart so that God will enjoy meeting with you.

Third, prepare your spirit to meet with God. There will be some days when it will be harder meeting with God because your spirit is not ready. Over the years I have learned some things that help me to prepare my spirit. One of the best ways to prepare your spirit is with music. Before meeting with God, you should play some good instrumental Christian music that helps put you in the proper mindset. Music plays a big role in preparing our spirit to meet with God. We play music at church to prepare the hearts of people to hear the preaching, so why not do the same to help prepare your spirit in your personal time with God.

Finally, while listening to the music, spend some time thinking about God's goodness to you. Write down the things that God did for you on the previous day. Once you have a small list compiled, then take that list and thank God for what He did. You can also use that list to spend some time praising God for His goodness. Thanking and praising God will not only prepare God to come to you, but more importantly it will prepare your heart to meet with Him.

When you have done these things, I believe you will find that your heart, mind and spirit will be prepared to meet with God. Yes, you will have some days when your heart is excited and ready to meet with God, but on the days when your heart is just not ready, do these things to prepare yourself for your meeting with God.

The value of one...

A man decided that he would change the world.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change the country.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his community.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his street.
But, be wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his family.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change himself.
AND HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.
AND HIS FAMILY CHANGED AND THEY AFFECTED THEIR STREET.
AND THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET AFFECTED THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED THEIR COUNTRY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY AFFECTED THE WORLD.

Smarter?

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When Did You Become Smarter?

Hosea 11:1

"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

A sad commentary is made about Israel in this chapter as God talks about their departing ways. He reminded Israel how in their infancy He was there for them. In fact, it was God Who was responsible for Israel's existence. Yet, they thought they were smarter than God, and left Him for what they thought were better ways. God loved them when no one loved them. God helped them when everyone was against them. God healed them when others were bent on destroying them. It's sad that Israel thought that they were smarter than God.

However, this story seems to repeat itself daily in the different areas of life. For instance, it is always refreshing to watch a young child with their parents. In the early stages of a child's life they seem to think that their parents know everything, and with unwavering trust they will follow what they tell them to do. However, when that young child grows into their teenage years, you will often see them question everything that their parents say and do. My question to this teenager is, when did you get smarter than your parents? Why is it that you think you know so much more than your parents?

Likewise, a young Christian comes to a church and soaks up the leadership and preaching of their pastor. How refreshing it is to see young Christians with their hunger for the LORD. Yet, as the years progress that young Christian begins to think they know more than their pastor. This is not to say that the Christian hasn't grown in certain areas, but why do they now think that they are smarter than their pastor?

Over and over again this example could be mentioned. Nations that once used to think their forefathers were brilliant will now disdain their principles. Preachers who once used to follow the teachings and principles of a great man of God, will now think they know more because they have pastored for a few years. Employees who once used to follow their boss' advice now seem to think that they know more than their boss. Why is it that anyone would think that they have become smarter than the one who trained or invested in them?

First, they have allowed the wrong influences to change their thinking. A teenager will allow the adverse influence of a peer to influence what they think about their parents. It's not to say that the teenager isn't becoming wiser, but it's the fact that their parents don't seem to do anything right. You must be careful about allowing wrong influences to dictate your thinking about those who have trained and influenced your life.

Second, the reason someone would think they are smarter is because they forgot what someone has done for them. Don't ever forget what your parents have done for you. Don't ever forget what the forefathers of your nation have instilled as the principles of that nation. Don't ever forget the principles of a preacher who helped formulate your spiritual mindset. Don't allow a suave personality who has done nothing for you change your thinking about someone.

Third, the biggest reason someone thinks that they are smarter than those who helped them become who they are is because that person or people have forgotten who they really are. Even when you have progressed in life, you should never forget what others have invested in you. Be careful about allowing a little success to cause you to think higher of yourself than you ought. Always work at keeping a right perspective of yourself.

Don't allow yourself to think you are smarter than God and those who have invested in you. Always remember what helped get you to where you are. Simply put, don't get too big for your britches!

 

Your Ultimate Goal

Daniel 9:3

"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:"

Let me ask you a question, and before you read any further I want you to write your answer down on a piece of paper. What is your ultimate goal in life? When you look at the end of your life, what is it that you want to have accomplished?

The goals of people are as diverse as their personalities. It is no doubt that many have a goal of success. When you look at the amount of success books in today's society, you will understand that people want to succeed. What they want to succeed at is certainly different, but they want to succeed. There are pastors whose ultimate goal is to have a large church. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a large church. There are many people whose goal it is to be wealthy. There are some whose goal is to move up the corporate ladder. There are others whose goal is to be famous in society. Then there are some whose goal is to have a happy family, or a successful marriage. Of course, these things I just mentioned are a few of the goals that many people have.

However, when you look at Daniel's life, he did not seek any of these things. The verse above says, "And I set my face unto the Lord God,..." Daniel's ultimate goal in life was to know God. He spent his life seeking the face of God. He did not seek money or position, he sought God. He did not seek fame or recognition, he sought God. He did not seek success or religious achievement, he sought God. The only thing that really mattered to Daniel was to get to know God. He was so determined to know God that he fasted and prayed just so he could know Him. Yet, you may wonder if this desire to seek God allowed him to "succeed" in life. Yes, it did! Though he did not seek position, he became the second in command in Babylon. He did not seek recognition, but certainly he was a household name around the world as Babylon was the world power in his day. He did not seek riches, yet I would imagine his position allowed him to be financially set for life. All of this happened because his ultimate goal in life was to know God.

I asked you at the beginning of this devotional to write down your ultimate goal in life. Now let me ask you this, was your goal to know God? If you have anything else written down on that piece of paper, then you have the wrong motive for your life. You must understand that knowing God will allow you to accomplish many of the things that people desire. However, seeking God should be your ultimate goal in life. When you get to know God, He will give you the wisdom to succeed in life. Though your purpose in knowing God should not be so that you can succeed in life, yet knowing God will make these things happen.

Christian, it is time to refocus your purpose and ultimate goal in life. Don't let the world's focus be your focus. Make your focus in life to know God. Set your face to seek God. Make your ultimate desire in life to know God as Daniel knew Him. You will find that when you get to know God, that He will give you wisdom to do what is right in every area of life. You cannot know God without Him influencing every area of your life. When God influences every area of your life, then you will find that His influence will cause every area to get better. Start your quest today to know God. Make that your ultimate goal.

Goal

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Your Ultimate Goal

Daniel 9:3

"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:"

Let me ask you a question, and before you read any further I want you to write your answer down on a piece of paper. What is your ultimate goal in life? When you look at the end of your life, what is it that you want to have accomplished?

The goals of people are as diverse as their personalities. It is no doubt that many have a goal of success. When you look at the amount of success books in today's society, you will understand that people want to succeed. What they want to succeed at is certainly different, but they want to succeed. There are pastors whose ultimate goal is to have a large church. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a large church. There are many people whose goal it is to be wealthy. There are some whose goal is to move up the corporate ladder. There are others whose goal is to be famous in society. Then there are some whose goal is to have a happy family, or a successful marriage. Of course, these things I just mentioned are a few of the goals that many people have.

However, when you look at Daniel's life, he did not seek any of these things. The verse above says, "And I set my face unto the Lord God,..." Daniel's ultimate goal in life was to know God. He spent his life seeking the face of God. He did not seek money or position, he sought God. He did not seek fame or recognition, he sought God. He did not seek success or religious achievement, he sought God. The only thing that really mattered to Daniel was to get to know God. He was so determined to know God that he fasted and prayed just so he could know Him. Yet, you may wonder if this desire to seek God allowed him to "succeed" in life. Yes, it did! Though he did not seek position, he became the second in command in Babylon. He did not seek recognition, but certainly he was a household name around the world as Babylon was the world power in his day. He did not seek riches, yet I would imagine his position allowed him to be financially set for life. All of this happened because his ultimate goal in life was to know God.

I asked you at the beginning of this devotional to write down your ultimate goal in life. Now let me ask you this, was your goal to know God? If you have anything else written down on that piece of paper, then you have the wrong motive for your life. You must understand that knowing God will allow you to accomplish many of the things that people desire. However, seeking God should be your ultimate goal in life. When you get to know God, He will give you the wisdom to succeed in life. Though your purpose in knowing God should not be so that you can succeed in life, yet knowing God will make these things happen.

Christian, it is time to refocus your purpose and ultimate goal in life. Don't let the world's focus be your focus. Make your focus in life to know God. Set your face to seek God. Make your ultimate desire in life to know God as Daniel knew Him. You will find that when you get to know God, that He will give you wisdom to do what is right in every area of life. You cannot know God without Him influencing every area of your life. When God influences every area of your life, then you will find that His influence will cause every area to get better. Start your quest today to know God. Make that your ultimate goal.

Removing

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Removing the World's Ties

Daniel 3:23

"And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."

We sing the song, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..." The problem with passing through this world is that the world often is very unfriendly to the Christian. We find as we pass through this world that it will often place it's ropes upon us to bind us, keeping us from being free to do God's will for our lives.

The three Hebrew children found themselves in this situation. Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image for everyone to worship. His command was that everyone should bow to this image when the music began to play. However, the three Hebrew children would not bow to this image, for they knew they were not to bow down to any graven images. Their stand for right caused them to face the fiery furnace. What is interesting is that when they were thrown into the furnace, they were bound by the ropes of the world. Yet, when they came out of the furnace, the only thing on them that was burnt were the ropes. These men saw the ties of the world removed from their lives when they walked out of the fire. However, there were four steps they had to take to remove the world's ties.

First, they had to take an uncompromising stand. When others around them were bowing to the image, these young men stood strong for what they believed. You will never be loosed from the ties of the world when you bow to the world's offers. Christian, God never said that serving Him would be easy. If Jesus had to face the cross, then why do you think that you can go through this life without having to take a stand? The more you bow to the threats of the world, the more ties the world will place upon you. The first step in removing the world's ties is to stop worrying about the consequences and take an uncompromising stand.

Second, these men had to have faith in God's promises. They had faith that God would see them through the fire. Their faith did not waver in the face of persecution. You will never see the ties of the world removed from your life until you act upon the promises of God. Sure, it takes faith to act upon God's promises, but you will never please God until you step out upon His promises.

Third, these men had to endure the fire to see the world's ties removed. You will notice that the ties were not removed until they went into the fire. Likewise, you will never see the world's ties removed from your life until you endure the fire of life's trials. Everybody has trials that they must endure. Some endure the fiery trial of health, while others must endure financial struggles. Some endure the fiery trials of ridicule, while others must endure the loss of a loved one. Whatever the trial is that you face, you will never see the world's ties removed from your life while you run from it. You must endure your trial if you want the world's ties removed.

Last, these men had to walk with God. It was their walk with God while in the fire that removed the ties of the world. When you continue to walk with God in the fiery trials, you will find the world's ropes that bind you will fall off. You will find more freedom walking with God in the fire than you ever will outside the fire.

Christian, with what has the world bound you? Until you take these four steps, you will never see these ties removed. Yet, once they are removed, you will find a freedom that the world will never know. Don't run from these four steps, but embrace them as your steps to a life of freedom in Christ Jesus.

Stay inside the Lines

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Stay Inside the Lines

Ezekiel 47:13

"Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions."

Many people have lived by borders from an early age. When you watch children in a car, they will establish their imaginary borders that they don't want their siblings to cross. Teachers will teach their young students when they color a picture to stay within the lines. Drivers are expected to stay within the yellow lines when they are driving. Borders are a part of life.

When God established the inheritances of the tribes of Israel, He made sure that they had borders. These borders were there so that each tribe would clearly know what their inheritance was. God knew that one way to keep peace among His people was to have clearly established borders for them to live within.

Likewise, your life will never experience peace without having borders. Every part of your life should have borders. One of the reasons people live in turmoil is because they leave the boundaries of their borders, thus causing strife with others and within themselves. Peace is one of the most desired things in life. However, if you are going to have personal peace, then you will have to establish borders in your life.

If a workplace is going to have peace, then their needs to be clearly defined borders of everyone's duties. One of the causes of strife and discontentment in the workplace is because the boss did not define the boundaries of the duties of each employee. Without these duties being defined, you will have people crossing over into the duties of others. Moreover, a boss needs to be sure that each employee understands that they are expected to stay within the borders of their duties. A boss must not allow employees to cross over into another's realm of duties if they expect there to be peace in the workplace. When every employee stays within their defined borders of their duties, then all employees have a better chance of getting along.

You must also establish borders in the home if you want your home to be peaceful. The husband and wife need to know their areas of control. If one spouse is in charge of the inside, then the other spouse needs to stay out of that area so that conflict is not established. Likewise, your children need to know what is and is not theirs. If parents will clearly define borders in the home for duties and expectations, then you will have a better chance of having peace amongst your children.

Furthermore, be sure to establish borders with right and wrong. When you clearly define what is right and wrong, you give clear direction of what to do and what not to do. This creates a peace within a person that they know they are doing right. Don't blur the lines of right and wrong, but make the lines of right and wrong very clear.

Finally, establish borders with your time. What I mean by this is you need to live by schedule. A schedule is a border of time. Your schedule tells you the allotment of time that you give to each responsibility that needs to be done. It tells you when to do that responsibility. The establishment of borders with your time will help to remove undo stress.

God created us with a need of borders. Throughout creation you see the borders that God established for us. You will never experience peace to its fullest without having established borders in every area of your life.