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 do it 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: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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Amen
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Amen Good Morning Everyone
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Yes, amen Lord Jesus, amen.
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Amen!
AMEN. Heavenly Father, Come to me. Help me be a strong person AMEN
In Jesus Name Amen
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and for love.
Amen thank you Father for our relationship and for all the times you saved me from myself, I love you so much my life is yours send me where I can serve you best in Jesus name I pray amen
Thank You Jesus for loving me and watching over me Amen
Lord, help me to hear Your voice, listen to Your word and obey! Amen
Yes Lord, may my focus always be on You, Amen!
King David knew that God's love and mercy were greater than any of the sins he comitted (and David made some doozies) We too can ask for forgiveness and know that our sins will be washed away forever.
I love You Lord Yeshua. Thank you for the price that You paid for me and for all those whom asked You to be their Lord and Savior. Please give me discernment of those who are hurt and lost; whose hearts and minds are ready to receive You and give me the right words to say to them. The good news about You. Lord Yeshua in Your righteous name I pray, Amen.
Such a simple, powerful reminder to keep relationship real. Thank you, Pastor Dion. Lord, walk and talk with me today. Amen
In Jesus name, amen!
I feel like this was me. I had to learn to let go and just be with Him. Now I talked to Him all day long and He is forever with me.Thank God I am loved.
Amen!
AMEN