Better Go Check

 

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday greetings you sent to Bill this week — you greatly blessed him and made his birthday even sweeter. He read each “like” and “comment” you sent. I am always overwhelmed by the birthday greetings that come around each year. It is so beautiful and draws such a lovely picture of the years we have served God and all the lives we have been blessed to intersect with.   Each of us on our own, before we met … Bill has people and I have people we still get to hear from. I know Facebook has its downfalls (as any tool) … but it is also a means by which those of us that have family and friends scattered to the 4 corners of the earth can be blessed. For me, that outweighs any negative ranting, because I’m so grateful to still have all these people in my life where I otherwise would not. So, here’s to you Facebook (and other social media) Happy New Year… rock on!

I was reading 1Peter chapter 2 today. What a great passage! I read two different devotions this morning and they each had a similar message, so I decided to share that today with my readers. Hebrew 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of should and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”

I Peter 2: 21 “To this you were called, Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” I’d encourage you to go back and read each chapter in its entirety. When I’m given just one or two verses in a devotion I generally try to read the whole chapter from my Bible and not just the verse from the devotion book.

Each passage seemed to intersect today.   As I was reading the Experiencing God page I loved how it said exactly what I was thinking. If we truly expect the reality of God to be active and true in our daily lives, as this passage states, then we know God will speak to us where our need is for this day. “Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word.” When you are looking for God, He is there, if you will recognize it’s Him. It isn’t a coincidence that someone said this or you heard a sermon on that … it tied perfectly into what you are going through. I’ve heard people say, “I can’t believe you said that! In my Bible Study we are discussing the same thing and then, to top it off, Pastor Bill preached on this very thing. It’s like God was speaking directly to me.” Hey, It is because He really is (said into a cheerleader megaphone)!! “He has left you as an example. That you should follow in His steps.”

If your heart is tender to God, then you will study, read and hear the very things God is trying to tell you in answer to what you are doing today. It isn’t just a fluke. It is the Holy Spirit at work in your life today. Listen to Him and be willing to alter your day or week to allow for his work in this situation you are facing. Your leaders don’t tell you to read your Bible and be in an attitude of prayer throughout the day just because that is what we are taught to say to you. It’s because that is your map for each day. It should determine the steps you take and where you go today, who you talk to; who you check in on … it is the real stuff daily life is made of for you and me, Christian. When you leave the house without consulting your calendar I believe you’d be lost — I would! The word, what Jesus says to you today, is the heart of your calendar, and your calendar is the vehicle that helps you remember the daily tasks you must do in order to be a functioning individual in society.

Don’t miss out on what God has for you today — you better go check!!

Just Jesus,

Sheri Langley