Have You Left Your First Love?

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).
So how are you doing spiritually these days? I am talking here about your relationship with Jesus. I'm not asking if you are going to Church regularly or attending Bible study because millions of people do these things yet Jesus is on the backburner of their lives.
The Christian faith is all about a relationship with Jesus, a personal one. All other "religious"... activities are secondary, no matter how much they are talked up. Too many people believe that attending Church is like punching a timeclock. The mindset is, if I go to Church every week I'll stay in His favor.
Another question, as a Believer, do you feel a little distant from Our Lord? Have you lost your zeal for Him?
If you have, let me say this; I know how it is, I've been there. You become real comfortable with your relationship with Jesus,then you are caught up in the daily events of this life, and the next thing you know, you have forgotten what should be your first love.
After this, at some point you begin to feel overwhelmed by the cares of this world.
The remedy? I think you know what it is.
Try the daily reading of His Word, the Bible, first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed. Do I need to mention the necessity of prayer? Here's another suggestion that people often forget, each day have a converstaion(s) with a friend or family member about something in the Bible or your faith walk. Don't you recall how good it felt after talking about things concering Jesus and your faith?. Remember the quote from Proverbs about how "Iron sharpens Iron".
Consider this message a wake up call for our faith, I know I do.
Nothing in this world is more important than your relationship with Jesus, do not ignore what should be your First Love.

Religious Arrogance

In this day and age we see different sects and denominations within Christianity sniping at each other for not worshipping or holding to the same beliefs as they do. Too often, the not too subtle inference in these criticisms is the belief that "we have more of the truth than you do", that "our faith is more pleasing to God than yours is". A sad state of affairs if there ever was one,a perfect example of the triumph of ego over humility.
The basics of the Christian faith is this, Jesus is the Son of God and His death,redemptive work and our belief in what He did opens for us a vast world of promises,not the least of which is the promise of eternal life.Variations in worship and style are really the only difference between mainstream faiths and denominations. Yet, many of them will still insist they are more pleasing to God then the others(faiths). Although they may not come right out and say it,the inference is clearly there. Those who doubt this, I would ask that they carefully read the literature of these groups with an open mind.
Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus---NO faith, denomination, or sect has a more direct line to Our Heavenlty Father than any sincere believer has.

For Sacred Sundays, This Classic Gospel Song, Run On.

Many may think they can live a selfish, sinful live without consequence but this Gospel song reminds us that we will eventually have to give an account for our lives. A fact that has been sadly forgotten or explained away by many Christian faiths in this modern age.
Click on the picture below to play the song.

Elvis Presley :: Run On

Wisdom From a Great Man of Faith

The Bible tells us that in the latter days people will depart from the faith once delivered (1Timothy4).
The following by Abraham Lincoln is more relevant today than when it was first spoken 150 years ago.

"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." [March 30, 1863]
(from a speech by Abraham Lincoln).
It's sad to say that the American people are more removed from God and the truth of the Bible than they've ever been.
Pray for a reawakening of a real Biblical faith in this country. As the opportunity arises, witness to others about a relationship with Jesus and how it can enrich and complete your life. We see so many people looking here and there, all in an attempt to fill a void which is spiritual not physical.

Our Lord's Return

"Blessed are those servants whom the master,when he comes,will find watching." Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
(from Luke,Chapter 12:37,40).
People who read their Bibles know that our Lord's return,a second Advent, is written of repeatedly.What is also mentioned repeatedly is that no man knows the specific time and date He will return....
Sadly,man in his arrogance has over the centuries set dates for Jesus' return,only to be proven wrong time and time again. However,the Bible makes it very clear that we are to be watchful and ready for His "second coming". There will be signs and indicators that 'the end of days' is near. Think of the Parable of the Ten Virgins as one example. Are we watching what is happening in the world around us?
We know from reading our Bibles that before His Return the world will be increasingly unsafe and corrupt. Consider this: have we gotten better or worse as a society in regards to moral and religious issues? You only have to be minimally aware of the world around you to see how immoral and debased this country and world has become.
Perhaps the best question to ask ourselves is, are we ready spiritually for His return? What about our loved ones,especially our children? Are they? Are you doing anything to help those who aren't? These are just a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves as professed followers of Jesus.
Pray, study His Word, be watchful,and importantly,walk the talk of your faith in Jesus.

In the Garden

For this Sacred Sunday--absolutely beautiful. Click on the picture to hear the song.

In The Garden -B. J. Thomas

Homegrown Video Slideshow- B. J. Thomas singing "In The Garden".

Walking the Talk of Your Faith

" 1.This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4  Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2Timothy Chapter 3.

Not too many years ago while there were several controversies relating to Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ, an interesting comment was made about Gibson by Danny Glover who had co-starred with him in four previous movies. Glover basically said that he was surprised to hear that Gibson had a deep faith as reported in the media during the filming of "The Passion."
This is probably the last thing that anyone who adheres to a particular ...faith system would want to hear said about himself. The inescapable conclusion one would draw from such a comment like this is that the way Gibson lived, acted and talked was no different from those who hold no religious convictions.
Jesus taught that we are to be in the world but not of this world.We are to be living examples of His words and life.This message is beautifully expressed in the First Epistle of John,second chapter:"Do not love the world or the things in the world.If anyone loves the world,the love of the Father is not in him." Sadly,it only takes about fifteen minutes with a remote control in front of a television to see how corrupt,immoral and violent this world has become.The question for all of us is,are we not of this world? Are we engaging in behaviour and speech that in no way represents a person of faith? Do acquaintances,friends and co-workers even know that you hold to any religious beliefs?
The reality is,is that we are all flawed human beings but we must strive each day to live out our faith each moment of the day. A complete committment to our faith, especially through daily prayer and Scripture reading, is the only way to experience true peace while here on earth.
May we never forget that we are living epistles of our faith.