A Slow Creep Away From God

                                                       When The Door Slams

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter-Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.                                                                                                       1 Kings 11:1-2 NIV      

        After King Solomon's wealth and wisdom are presented in striking detail, the author of           1 Kings offers a sobering note that all is not well in the king's heart: he had married many foreign women who turned him away from the LORD. It's likely that Solomon didn't think a few foreign wives could be that much of a threat to his devotion to God. After all, he lived in the epicenter of worship for Yahweh. What harm could a few foreign alliances through marriage do to his heart? 

        Sure enough, his heart gradually drifted further from God, and he became more tolerant of foreign gods. As he added new wives and allegiances with neighboring kingdoms, Solomon lost sight of Yahweh as he filled his time joining his wives in their idol worship. Even the wisest king was no match for the slow creep of compromise in his devotion to the true God. 

        As you examine your heart today, ask yourself whether there are places or issues where you are compromising-even if it is just a little. Sin's most powerful trick is convincing us that it's not a big deal and that we can handle ourselves. This is a slow drift away from God, and we will spare ourselves and our families pain if we recognize it sooner than later.  

        Think about this: The LORD has a plan for our world and for our lives. God does not do things by accident; He has a perfect plan for His creation, a plan that includes each of us. But because we are mortal beings with limited understanding, we can never fully comprehend the will of God. No matter. As believers in a benevolent heavenly Father, we must always trust the will of God, even though we cannot fully understand it.

        As this day unfolds, seek God's will and obey His Word. When you entrust your life to Him completely, He will give you strength to meet any challenge, courage to face any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace .

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes, But fear the Lord and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).  

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.    

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Intolerant And A Bigotry

                                                       When The Door Slams  

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."                                                                                  Isaiah 1:18 NIV        

        We live in a time when many people in our culture seem to have been offended not just a  pastime that they pursue with passion. This is the time to speak the truth about the Gospel of Christ and about godly life principles will get you labeled as "intolerant" and a "bigot." 

        People don't like being told that they need Jesus to save them and change them, and they dislike being confronted with their own sins. People really don't understand that there is only one way into the kingdom of God-through Jesus Christ.

        The prophet Isaiah ministered in the kingdom of Judah at a time when the people had fallen into some very grievous sin. They had become both pleasure seeker in their behavior and self-secure toward their God.

        In short, they were very much like us today-lost in sin and without hope...at least they had not been left on their own. One of the great themes of Isaiah's prophecies-and of the entire Bible-is God's willingness to forgive and restore those who recognize their sin and turn from that sin back toward Him.

        The words in today's verse are echoed hundreds of years later by the apostle John, who wrote: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us (1 John 1:8-10). 

        We all need God's forgiveness and restoration. He has provided a way for that to happen by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Our part in that equation is to acknowledge that we are sinners and that we need Christ our Lord and Savior.

       Think about this: Would you like a time-tested formula for spiritual growth? Here it is: Keep studying God's Word, keep obeying His commandments, Keep praying and (listening for answers), and keep trying to live in the center of God's will. When you do, you will never be stuck for long. Instead, you will be a growing Christian, and that is precisely the kind of Christian God wants you to be.

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                    Never Rest Ministries

                    

Adversity Introduces A Man To Himself

                                                       When The Door Slams 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.                                                                                                                    James 1:2-4 NIV 

          When life brings difficulties our way (and it most certainly will). We see where we are at, in our walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The old analogy holds true: Every positive application of God's principles ultimately benefits both us and others. Every sin we commit somehow, sooner or later, hurts us and others. "Adversity introduces a man to himself." Think about that.  

        God never promised His people an easy ride through life. In fact, the Bible is very clear-in many passages-that trials, storms, and suffering will be part of every believer's life. If you don't believe that, just take a look at the lives of the apostles, the men Jesus chose to take His message of salvation to the world around them. We are talking imprisonment, beatings, even martyrdom for nearly all of them. 

        God also doesn't just automatically make you a patient  person when you get saved, and He doesn't instantly make you a person of great perseverance, either. Instead, He uses a process whereby that trials and storms in your life strengthen you and make you the patient, persevering person He intends for you to be. So when the going gets tough...call for Jesus. 

        Think about this: All of us must endure difficult days. Sometimes even the most optimistic Christians can become discouraged, and you are no exception. If you're being tested by your own circumstances, perhaps it is time to focus more on your strengths and less on the challenges that confront you. 

        Every day, including this one, is brimming with possibilities. Every day is filled with opportunities to grow, to serve, and to share. But if you are entangled in a web of sin and disobedience, you may overlook the blessings that God has scattered along your path. 

        So don't give in to pessimism, to doubt, to negativity, or to cynicism. Instead, keep your eyes upon the possibilities, fix your heart upon the Lord God, do your best, and let Him handle the rest.

Affirmation: God will bring every work into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 3:14). But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 HCSB). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and Thank Him for His forgiveness.                                    

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What Does It Mean To Fear The LORD

                                                      When The Door Slams 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.                                                                          Proverbs 1:7

        Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, stated that the beginning of wisdom and knowledge comes from fearing the LORD. What does it mean to fear the LORD?

        The fear described here is not cowering, intimidation, or paralysis. Instead, it means to respect, reverence and worship the LORD. 

        If you want to gain wisdom, Solomon says, "Begin with God." Make Him your focus. Center on Him. As the number one priority in your life. See God for who He is. 

        You might begin each day by looking in the Bible for one characteristic that describes God, and think on that quality. Consider how that truth could impact your life that day. Consider what you might do differently in light of that fact.

        For example, Jesus is called the "Light of the World." Do you ever feel during the day that you are fumbling in the dark, and that you can't see clearly your way? Stop and pray. Ask God to bring clarity to your darkness and direction to your sense of being lost. Wisdom comes from lifting our eyes from the problem to our powerful LORD and Savor Jesus Christ.

        Think about this: God's Word is clear: we are to guard our hearts "above all else," yet we live in a world that encourages us to do otherwise. Here in the twenty-first century, temptations and distractions are woven into the fabric of everyday life. As believers, we must remain vigilant. We must resist the devil when he confronts us, and avoid those places where Satan can most easily tempt us.

        Every day, you are are faced with more choices than you can count. You can do the right thing, or not. You can be kind, and generous, and obedient to God. Or not. Today, the world offers countless opportunities to let down your guard and thereby we make needless mistakes that may injure you or your loved ones. So guard your heart by giving it to your LORD and Savor Jesus Christ.

        Affirmation: Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. He changes the times and the seasons; He raises up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden thing; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him (Daniel 2:20-22). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

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For The Word Of God Is Alive and Active

                                                     When The Door Slams 

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, LORD,  and I follow your commands.            Psalm 119:165-166 NIV  

        The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews once wrote of scripture, "For the word of God is  alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Nothing in all creation is hidden from God sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV). 

        That is a great summary of the role the Bible plays in the life of the believer. However, it does not mention one great benefit of spending time reading and studying the Word: it brings us peace and strength for our walk.

        The writer of Psalm 119 points out that the words in the Bible (he refers to it as God's "law") have an amazing ability not just to bring us that inner peace God wants us to live in, but also to keep us from stumbling and falling into sin. 

        Have you been lacking peace lately? Does it seem like your life in Christ lacks power? Do you find that you are not walking with Jesus as much as you are stumbling through life? It may be a matter of putting a daily time of reading and studying the Bible higher-maybe number one-on your list of priorities.

        Think about this: Life in the twenty-first century is busy. Once we are finished with our daily work, our family, home projects, and friends all contend for our time. But if we want the peace and strength we need to live the life God calls us to live, we can't afford to miss out on time spent with Him and His Word. 

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains (1 Timothy 6:9-10 HCSB).                                                   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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Do God Hear Your Prayers

                                                       When The Door Slams

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.   Deuteronomy 8:3-5 NIV 

        As the people of Israel journeyed through the barren wilderness strewn with rocks and sand, we can hardly blame them for worrying about what they would eat, drink, or wear while confined to such a bleak location. Gathering enough food for an entire nation in a land without set-aside fields for agriculture, irrigation, or pasture became a daily struggle for existence. How would such a large people survive forty hours, let alone forty years, in such a hostile wilderness?

        While the Israelites surely considered the wilderness the last place they wanted to be, the Lord wasted no time using it for a good purpose. The wilderness was the place to learn complete dependence on God. It is almost counterintuitive for us to read this. Why in the world would God remove their reliable food supply in order to demonstrate that they needed more than bread in order to survive?

        In part,  Lord used a difficult situation to teach His people complete and total dependence. They could not do anything clever or innovative enough to provide for themselves. Their only way out was prayer, and their only resource was God's timely help. Did God hear their prayers? Would God provide? It took a difficult journey through the wilderness to find out. 

        Think about this: Most of us have more blessings than we can count, yet we can still find reasons to complain about the minor frustrations of everyday life. To do so, of course, is not only shortsighted, but it is also a serious roadblock on the path to spiritual abundance. So the next time you are tempted to complain about the inevitable frustrations of everyday living, don't do it. Make it a practice to count your blessings, nor your hardships.    

     Thanksgiving: You raised up Pharaoh for this purpose, that You might show him Your power and that Your name might be proclaimed through all the earth (Exodus 9:16).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

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Do You Want To Be Made Well

                                                       When The Door Slams

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.         James 5:16 NIV

  

        Jesus once asked a man if he wanted to be made well, and perhaps we should consider this question for ourselves in light of today's verse. Do you want to be set free from anger, lust, greed, or just selfishness? Do you want to experience the freedom and abundant life that Jesus promised us? We can probably tread water on our own for a while, but we may never experience a true breakthrough until we humbly ask a fellow believer to pray for us as we fully confess our sins to them.

        James seems to anticipate our potential objections: What if I open up my deepest, darkest secrets to someone and they can't help me? Do I want to risk exposing my self to a fellow Christian if it is not going to do me any good? 

        James assures us that wisely choosing a righteous believer to pray for us will bring the healing we desire for our shortcomings. Whether you feel weak or stuck with a particular issue in your life, consider who you can approach for prayer. 

        Your life may not turn around until you openly confess your sin and receive prayer. Do you want to be made well? Then it is time to stop hiding your secret sins and relying on yourself. We may only find true freedom when we finally confess our sins to each other.

        Think about this: Sometimes the Lord God makes Himself known in obvious ways, but more often His guidance is subtle. So we must be quiet to hear His voice. If you are serious about discovering God's plan for your life-or rediscovering it-start spending quite time with the Lord God every day. Ask Him for direction. Pray for clarity. And be watchful for the Lord signs. The more time you spend with the Lord the sooner the answers will come.

        Petition: No one who waits for You will be ashamed, But those who are treacherous without cause will be ashamed. Show me Your ways, O Lord, Teach me Your paths; Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation, And my hope is in You all day long (Psalm 25:3-5). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                        Never Rest Ministries