Pastor said, "Life is tough. At best, life is tough." My life seems to be busy more than anything. There is always something to do, some place to go, something to fix, birthday parties, appointments, school meetings, ministry commitments, football to watch, technology to keep up with, and work work work. I'm not complaining I'm just sayin'...sometimes I just want to take a break and do nothing. Literally nothing, just sit and stare blankly at the wall. Occasionally I wonder if I'll ever crack, and honestly I wonder if my wife will too. Three children can be a mighty big handful at times.
I'm not trudging through a battlefield right now but I've had many fights that I've walked away from heavily wounded. Hopefully the next one I will be ready for. I'm getting wiser and I'm learning how to handle things God's way. Unfortunately, mostly everything I have learned has come from first hand experience instead of applying someone else's wisdom. Once every few weeks I meet some sort of resistance like clockwork, but I'm getting better at dealing with the small things too. Again that comes from experience. I try and keep my heart free and clear of offense and I practice "waiting upon the Lord." Not easy to do but it's amazing to see Him move mountains.
Every morning one of the first things I do is read a devotional or two. I read Charles Stanley's In Touch, which is free, and there's also an app for Android and the Iphone, In Touch Ministries. People used to say to me, "You have to read your Word." I never understood that. Why? Well, it’s true. We don't wake up one day and suddenly know all there is to know about God and scripture. Some people talk about God like they've walked around heaven and taken pictures of Him. It can be creepy sometimes, so I'd rather find out for myself. If you ever hear or see me talk about God all crazy it’s because I experienced something true. Perhaps a new facet of His character or something amazing He's done in my life. Not only do I gain knowledge and understanding, but I can sense what He is saying and trying to show me in my life, and how to properly respond. It's actually more of an inner sensing and knowing of what He's up to.
Without God life makes no sense. In the midst of chaos and distraction I can always find my peace and strength reading the Word. As long as I read the Word I'm moving forward, staying on course, and being refreshed. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful." John 6:63 says, "The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life." All of the earth is a living breathing organism, and we serve the Living God. We are spiritual beings, we have spirits, and our spirits are the very "life" within us. The Word strengthens, restores, and supply's our spirits with "life."
Reading and studying the word is essential to spiritual health. Little by little the Word will creep into your mind and start to break up that stuff that shouldn't be there. The light will creep in and begin to expose the darkness, and start to change your attitude. "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."The Word has the power to pull down strongholds, attitudes, and thought patterns that have been ingrained into our minds over time. Strongholds are powerful mental "locks" that allow you to only think and see a certain way. For example, you may only know one way of boiling an egg. That's the way you've been taught, so that's the only way you know how to do it whether it's the right way or not. What if you found out you had been doing it wrong all your life? Essentially, you believed a lie and now you're hearing the truth. Toss that around a bit...
Reading and studying the word is essential to spiritual health. Little by little the Word will creep into your mind and start to break up that stuff that shouldn't be there. The light will creep in and begin to expose the darkness, and start to change your attitude. "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."The Word has the power to pull down strongholds, attitudes, and thought patterns that have been ingrained into our minds over time. Strongholds are powerful mental "locks" that allow you to only think and see a certain way. For example, you may only know one way of boiling an egg. That's the way you've been taught, so that's the only way you know how to do it whether it's the right way or not. What if you found out you had been doing it wrong all your life? Essentially, you believed a lie and now you're hearing the truth. Toss that around a bit...
Walking with God is a journey and there is much to learn, He's God and we are not. I want to encourage you to start reading a devotional everyday. It's a great way to get into the Bible, and build off of the seed you heard on Sunday. Find the time to set apart when it’s just you and Him. Tammy and I both have been guilty of getting distracted at times, and those are the times we usually aren't walking in True North. Christmas shopping, facebook, tv, and cell phones can suck us into a vortex of total distraction. I refuse to do that anymore. We're getting back to keeping our journals, and we're taking our devotional time more seriously. We want the Word established in our hearts because from our hearts we journey through the day and live our life. For us, we have to get up earlier in the mornings. But whatever it takes, it's worth it because it sets the tone for the day and we know the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
True North is that place where I'm connected to the heart of God by His Word and a clear conscience. I'm burned out playing the game of "Who I want you to think I am." That's exhausting and fruitless. I'm not perfect but I strive for transparency and honesty, and when I'm walking in True North I'm the person God created me to be without putting forth any effort. You never know who is watching you, but I can guarentee you people are watching. As long as I stay connected to Him, (remain in the vine) my life and my sphere of influence imparts life to others, and I personally walk in peace and abundant blessing.
My son, if you accept my word and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
where is the droid app, a quick google didn't turn it up and i didn't see it in the market
ReplyDeleteIt's called In Touch Ministries. It sleek looking and easy to use. There are daily devoitionals from the magazine and you can also listen to his sermons by clicking the radio button. I love it!
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