For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Psalms 51:16'17 WEB.When I first came to the Lord, I was so zealous that I wanted to make up for everything I'd ever done wrong. I fasted for weeks, gave all that I had, tried to memorize the Bible, prayed throughout the day, and listened to the Bible all night. I began attending Bible college in the evening, and like many other students, I developed a very legalistic view.
I wanted to earn my salvation and prove that my dedication to the Lord was stronger than everyone else there. The school became a repetition competition, where we just repeated the things that we had heard someone else say. My knowledge seemed a mile wide and an inch deep. It was shallow.
Oh, I knew a lot about Jesus, but I didn't know Him. I talked a lot about Jesus, but I didn't talk to Him. I sang a lot about Jesus, but I didn't sing to Him. Jesus said that there would be those who would call Him "Lord, Lord," and He would say, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). Well, that was me in a nutshell. I was so busy trying to be a good Christian that I had no time for Him.
The Lord eventually broke me down to nothing, stripped away everything I had, and separated me from everyone I knew. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me.
He had told me early in life that I would be in the ministry one day. Yet, when it delayed coming about, I decided that I must have disappointed Him somehow. I must have taken too many wrong turns in life, and He finally gave up on me. I had many excuses for why He didn't use me in ministry, but the delay was because He was preparing me for it.
Eventually, I dropped my pretend "Church Face" and started to just be me. I began to involve God in my decisions every day, and I talked with Him as a friend. I learned to relax and include Him in whatever I was doing. Only then did a relationship begin to develop between us, and that soon became life-changing. Like the tiny mustard seed, your faith will grow.
Attending church, fasting, praying, giving, reading the Bible, and singing praises are all good in moderation. But let Jesus be your main focus, and don't neglect Him while you are doing it. Believe me, you can because I have done it. Your Bible is not God. It just tells us about Him.
I encourage you to make Jesus a part of your life each day. Be a real person serving God the best you can. When you stumble, repent and try to do better next time. Be honest with Him, for He already knows who we are better than we do.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me. Please help me be a better person, and make me stable. Lead me to where You want me to be and open the doors that You want me to go through. Come into my life and be a part of it, for I am Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link:
Ladies in Distress > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen!
Amen
Amen
Amen. Thank You Heavenly Father for being with me, my companion, my guide, my everything. Amen
Amen!!
Amen
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen. I am nothing without Jesus. Thank you Heavenly Father.
Thank you ????
Thank you Father for all your doing and for all your going to do in my future
Always walk with me lord in jesus name amen
God help me make the right choices Praise God Praise Jesus Amen
As the end of this chapter draws near, this prayer comes often to mind: Lead me to where You want me to be, Lord, and open the doors that You want me to go through. Thank you. AMEN
Thank You Father for all You do for me! I want to have a closer relationship with You! Amen.
"Oh, I knew a lot about Jesus, but I didn't know Him. I talked a lot about Jesus, but I didn't talk to Him. I sang a lot about Jesus, but I didn't sing to Him. Jesus said that there would be those who would call Him "Lord, Lord," and He would say, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). Well, that was me in a nutshell. I was so busy trying to be a good Christian that I had no time for Him."
I love and can relate to this part Pastor Dion. That is me. I know a lot about JESUS, but did not talk to HIM, LOVE HIM, sing to HIM. I want to be and HIM TO BE BEST FRIENDS whom I can talk to about anything and everything any time of the day of just being myself. I LOVE YOU AND PRAISE AND THANK YOU JESUS
Amen!
Amen!
Yes amen Lord
Amen!
Amen! Open my eyes to your truths and lead me to all you have for me.