Lois J. Stucky- (1928-1014)- What great honor and glory and pleasure ought we to give our Holy and Almighty God to whom we owe our very life and being! And how rightfully does Christ who has redeemed us to be His beloved bride, deserve our pure and full devotion, and the place of pre-eminence in our lives. (Google image- 10 steps for reading the Bible)
Yet so strong is the pull of the world, the flesh and the devil that we read in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that even in the earliest days of the church, Christ must rebuke the Christians for such things as leaving their first love, of deviating in doctrine, of compromising morally, and of becoming lukewarm.
We Christians living in today's fast-paced culture, so largely centered on selfish living, are in as much danger of falling from full devotion as were the early Christians. As serious Christians let us consider for a few moments together: 'What are some of the things about which Christ would have us be watchful?'
What an important consideration is our eternal destiny! We dare not trifle in the matter of making sure of our soul's salvation and eternal destiny and of holding "the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14).
Also, we cannot afford to trifle with the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 tells us God's Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. It is also profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
In today's world of snares and deceptions, casually or occasionally taking up God's Word must give place to an earnest effort to be in it daily — reading, studying, meditating, memorizing, going deeper into it, with the Holy Spirit as our teacher, as well as taking seriously those whom He has gifted to teach us.
Furthermore, we and others for whom we might intercede will suffer great loss if we trifle with prayer. God has made the prayer connection between man and Himself foundaitonal and essential to the advancement of His kingdom within us individually as well as in the world.
It is too vital to take lightly, to pray only when we feel like it or if we can find the time after multitudes of lesser things have occupied us.
Readiness for Christ's Return is certainly not to be taken lightly either. Jesus commanded more than once to "be ready!" Many about us slumber and sleep, but might we hearken carefully to the words of our coming King:
"Watch, therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . be you also ready; for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh'" (Matt. 24:42, 44).
". . . They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut"(Matt. 25:10). Oh, the solemness of these words of our Lord!
If I am trifling in my spiritual life along any line, might I repent and, like the Apostle Paul, press toward the mark with renewed fervency, by God's grace and help. Might we who are called to be saints recognize and love and unite in prayer with fellow members of Christ's body around the world seeking to edify, to mature and to perfect this body so precious to the Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray for pastors, missionaries and all Christian workers to be filled with the Holy Sprit's love and power.
Pray for the elderly, to receive strength and grace to bring forth fruit in old age.
Pray for busy parents raising families, to seek and receive divine strength and wisdom to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord.
Pray that young people and children will love and obey the Lord with the strength and zeal of their youth, even if it means they must stand alone against peer pressure."
#15 Testimony- Chrissy
"I want to tell you that I'm learning to listen more and more to God's still small voice! This can be in busy places and among crowds of people. If we remain open and willing, God can alert us to people in dire need.
He wants us to remember that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Just such a thing happened to me at McDonald's one afternoon. There I sat with a friend, having coffee and chatting with her. The prompting I got was the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to chill, and have some girl time.
I looked over and there sat a young man who was quiet and peaceful, but was only drinking a small glass of water. I started to feel a call to help him from that still small voice of the Father.
God told me when I was leaving to give him a smile, direct eye contact, and twenty dollars. I followed through, and the love of God came over me strongly. It was so natural and discreet as it played out. I felt such peace knowing that I’d listened and obeyed God's prompting. I just know God used me that day, and I don't think either of us will forget it."
Recommended Reading:
Psalm 23: The Song of a Passionate Heart
~ We are to walk worthy of our calling, as we are dead to sin and alive unto God. We're to stir each other up, living differently than the world. God's Spirit will help us to not go back to worldly habits. Our fault-finding spirit needs to take care of its own business!
Upcoming posts:
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing:https://www.
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