"4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:4
Are you a consumer or are you a giver? Do you only turn to Jesus and others when you are in need? I defend my Lord always by saying He is the answer, not an answer because I find so many "use" Him when they need or want something. They call upon His name when something tragic happens yet defile His name when things are going good. It is like someone only calling you when something bad happens. How about including us in the good times too? I want to celebrate your victories with you and share all of your life with you. My marriage, my friendships and my relationships are very important to me. I believe they require time, work, and attention otherwise they will not develop and deepen. Well our relationship with Christ is the same thing. He is our Friend and it is a relationship we have with Him. He is not a religion. He is not a Sunday morning thing, a statue or a man dead on a cross. He is our living God who lives inside each and every one of His disciples who have surrendered their hearts to Him. As I watch my husband pastor our new church I see how many call for counseling and come to the office to talk with him in dire need, and bless his heart he always makes time, but then they disappear. I get sad because I feel like God was just something they needed for that particular moment in time. Now if I am hurt can you imagine how God is feeling? He loves us and desires for all of His children to have a relationship with Him and live with Him for eternity. Our salvation saves us from hell, yes, but it can be so much more here on earth if we walked in it every day. Our life with Christ is more than just saying a sinner's prayer. Jesus wants us to go to Him for all things. The scriptures do not say, sometimes or only when it is serious...the Bible says in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." It could not be any clearer. If you are honest with yourself and you feel like you are a consumer and are taking more than you are giving, then may this be the day you change. May this be the day you dedicate your whole life to Him, not just the crummy parts. May this be the day you let Him completely in. The best advice I ever gave to someone who was down about things, was to get the focus off of themselves and help another because it brings you peace. So I pray that this will be the day, you give back to another and start being a giver and not just a consumer. Amen and amen.
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