'Take Nothing for Granted'

“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything— encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! (1 Peter 4:7-11 – The Message)

Everyday it seems more evident of Christ’s return. Everyday God’s Spirit seems to be whispering—and at times almost shouting—stay in my Word and Pray! It’s scary for me when I do not follow through with these directions for like you there’s a war going on. A war of wills; of good verses evil… the good flowing from God… the evil coming from my own heart.

Yet, God is faithful. His Word is true. He accounts righteousness through faith. He departs faith into our hearts through the reading and hearing of His Word… how faithful, how merciful, how great is our God!

His sacrifice is our atonement that cleanses us when we are unworthy... and ever we are—unworthy. It is ever good to remind ourselves from where God brought us from. As His children-to never forget how he delivered us from the bonds of Egypt. We are not our own-we are bought with a price-the price of Calvary.

With so much given then why do we grab for more? Why do we long for the treasures and trinkets on sale before us and neglect those who are hungry, those who are homeless, and those—for Christ’s name thrown in jail?

Why do we built church kingdoms and rest our backsides on soft pews and are disturbed when the air conditioning is not so—so when all the while our brothers and sisters in Christ starve and die and are crushed in prisons?

It’s a mystery to me how hard my heart can be.

Heavenly Father, turn our hearts to the simple and yet powerful teachings of Jesus Christ. Lord, I’ve strayed from those teachings help me, teach me, and Father restore in me your desire.