Reading God’s Word

Reading God’s word is an important part of your growth as a Christian and it’s become so much easier to do that now there are so many versions of the bible to fit your comfort level and lifestyle.

Devotional bibles can be helpful when you’re looking for a place to start or have a specific topic you want to study.

When you just don’t have a lot of time to sit down and flip through pages, there are a lot of internet versions and phone apps.  I personally use and love a couple online and on my phone.

I use http://www.biblecc.com/  to study and compare versions and phrasing so I can better understand it’s meaning when I want to make sure that I’m not misinterpreting anything.

I use http://www.a.youversion.com/free-bible-apps on my phone daily when I just have a quick minute to read through a passage or when I have time to read through one of their devotional plans.

1 Peter 2:2-3, it says “… Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”  

If you’re new to the knowledge of God and His word, the bible is a great resource for questions and excitement you might have about your purpose.  It’s full of fascinating stories and laws specifically laid out for us to live by.

God tells us many times throughout the bible how important it is to KNOW His words, to know the laws He’s laid down so that we may live our lives according to His will.  In a world where laws and design don’t always align with God’s, we MUST be aware of the differences — NOT so we can judge others around us or even change them but so we might live our lives FOR Him, the way He intends for us to do.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we’re told that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”  

This tells us that the Bible is inspired by God to teach us and correct us about righteousness so the we can live the perfect life God has planned for us.  If we aren’t familiar with the teachings of God’s word, how can we be sure that we are following them?

When Jesus was in the desert, Satan came to Him, tempting Him with a stone he could turn into bread. Jesus simply denied him saying, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4)

Living a life for the Lord, going to church, praying before meals and when we need things is not enough to live the life God has planned for us.  Bread will sustain us, but God wants more from us and we will only know what it is by walking close with Him, inspiring fellow Christians, talking with Him in prayer and reading His word so that we can live by His teachings.

Every day you go with out studying His word is a day you may not be doing whatever it is He needs of you.  Giving your life over to the Lord comes with the greatest rewards, peace and love you could ever imagine but it takes discipline and motivation to remain faithful, as it does in ANY relationship.  God’s love and word is always there for us, we must only seek them out.

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

 

 

Where two or three are gathered together…

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Some of us are born in a family who goes to church every Sunday, some only go on holidays and special occasions and some never find the time at all.  Whichever you find yourself, remember that church isn’t about the routine of it, it’s not a job or an obligation and it’s not a tradition.  Church is a meeting place for people to join together in God’s name, to worship, to pray, to renew and prepare each other for the outside world we live in, to ready ourselves and our children for the next coming of Christ.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, the bible tells us to, “… consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

You may have to hop around a bit to find the church that fits you best, many churches offer more than one worship service as some of their parishioners appreciate a contemporary service and others more traditional.  Either which you’re comfortable with, there is a place for you in one of them and most importantly, you may be the person to most impact someone God is working on.  If you’ve truly given your life over to the Lord, than your hands are His hands and you need to be strengthened and ready when He needs you.  There’s no better place for you to arm and prepare yourself than in the company of other’s who are doing and need the same.

As time passes, life will only get harder and more difficult for Christians.  It is even more important that we find time to build each other up and find strength and love together.  The world is already becoming a hard and dangerous place for Christians, showing tolerance for almost everything BUT Christianity.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it says, “ … know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

If there is any place in the world that is the best place to combat all of these things, it’s gathering together in His name.  As Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18, “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Find a church that feels the best for you, pray, worship and strengthen each other in His name.  Let God use your life in the way He has planned for you.  If for no other reason, remember just this, Romans 12:15, says “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.”  Later in verse 21, it says, “Do not  be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  What better way to do that than to fellowship regularly with other Christians, rejoicing together, praying together, grieving together and growing strong together?

Come to Me

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Accepting help can be difficult sometimes, not because we don’t need it, most often because we have a hard time admitting it.  Especially as women, expected to do it all, be a wife, mother, have a career and all in just 24 hours a day, life can be demanding and overwhelming if we don’t keep it all in perfect order. Routine, balance, organization feels like a woman’s very best friend these days.  So many balls, juggling in the air, with a good balance going, adding more is much easier than taking one away.  Most of us feel like if we let go of one thing, everything else will come toppling down.  I have heard myself say many times, “Helping me now will just make it harder for me when you’re gone.”  THAT is the key here, feeling like we’re alone in it all.  If we don’t do it, no one else will… so we do it, our way… even though it’s exhausting.

Jesus knows how hard it is and promises to not only give us rest, but to carry our burdens forever.  Handing them over is the hard part, feeling like we have to change everything in our lives and that just seems like more than it’s worth when we’ve got a system, a rhythm, keeping it all together.  He promises never to leave us, that seems a little unlikely also.  In a world where most families are split in half, most children grow up with one or even no parents, it seems a little hard to believe that there’s someone promising to be there, now and forever.

Looking at Christians and then at yourselves, you may shake your head and know you can’t just change everything in your life around for an easy way out.  They go to church every Sunday, they talk about God and Jesus like it’s just part of their everyday life.  They read their bible, oh my gosh, They HAVE a bible.  This just seems like way too much, when you have so much on your plate already.

You don’t have to change everything in your life to accept the help God sent you.  That doesn’t mean you won’t want to when you see the difference in your life He makes.  When you feel like you’ve lost 50 lbs over night and you find yourself lighter, the sunlight a little brighter.  Many of those Christians you are nothing like, will be the first to tell you, they weren’t always that way.  They will probably tell you, they wouldn’t have imagined the life God has given them and how thankful they are the Big Guy was in charge instead of them.

You don’t have to change your life to accept Jesus.  You won’t drop anything, He’ll take it all instead.

If you’re tired of doing it alone, if you’re wondering if it’s even possible to let go, even just a little, Jesus is right here waiting for you.  There’s no certain way, you don’t have to have all the faith others talk about all the time.  You have to only believe your God in heaven loves you enough to give you all the help you’ll ever need.

Dear Lord, I am tired of doing this on my own.  You’ve promised to never leave me, You’ve promised to give me rest and I am weary, I am alone Lord, I am ready to let You help me.  Please Lord, I am ready to let you be a part of my life.