Tuesday's Thoughts

I would like to share a passage of scripture that has been speaking to my heart for the past several days. This passage served as my text for the message this past Sunday at New River. The words of the Apostle Peter as he writes under the inspiration of the Lord God Almighty was brought to my attention again this morning during prayer.

The Spirit reminded me that the family of God as well as non-believers needs to lay aside the "weights" that so easily slow us down in our walk with Christ. Is it possible that many of us still do not fully recognize the attempts of satan to disrupt our relationship with God? We justify our lack of recognition of satan's attempts by reminding ourselves that we do not commit the "big" sins that captures the hearts of other people. But even these thoughts are a subtle attempt of satan to make us comfortable in our relationship with Christ rather than choosing to pursue a more passionate, relationship with him. 

Giving in to satan can lead us into a "spirit of excuse making" as well as a "spirit of good intentions" (procrastination). These types of attitudes if they continue can lead us down the road that takes us away from God rather that drawing us nearer to God. The "excuses" continue to give us "reasons" that we use to ignore our time with God on a personal basis as well as a corporate basis. The "good intentions" makes us feel a little better about ourselves because we think that we have a plan in place to get back on the right road of walking with God. But many people never run out of excuses and they are always moving the right decision concerning God to another day and another time. 

I sincerely believe that God is calling EACH OF US to search our hearts and seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost. I believe that God is calling EACH OF US to put Him first in our lives. I also believe that the spiritual condition of the world is definitely reminding us that "if we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now? QUESTION: How will I (we) respond to God?

2 Peter 1:1-4, “This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.  I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.  ² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.  ³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.   ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (NLT)