November 20, 2012 ~ Got Milk?

"Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." 1 Peter 2:2-3

Thoughts ~ When we fall in love, we want to spend every moment with the focus of our attention. We write love letters, day dream and carve out time for our beloved in our day. They are all we think about and we finally understand love songs for the first time in our lives.

In the same way, when I first came to know Jesus, I craved knowing more about Him. I loved reading my Bible and meeting with others who loved Him too. I started a journal and wrote poems about Jesus. Back in High School, my favorite book of the New Testament was Philippians, a book about finding joy in Jesus no matter what your circumstances.

As Christians, we should all crave knowing our Father better, like babies craving milk. This "pure spiritual milk" that Peter writes about, is found in the Bible: it’s God’s word of course. In the beginning of our faith we need someone to feed us but as we grow up, we slowly learn to feed ourselves.

In order to know God well, we need to spend time with Him, in His word. As new believers, sometimes devotionals like this one, or other images found on the Trust in the Lord site, are all we get.  But slowly, we will begin craving much more, and these will be additions to our own Bible reading.

Action ~ When you are new to the faith, sometimes it’s confusing so here is a short list to get you started.

1)   Pick a book of the Bible to read through.  Try the gospel of John, Philippians or any book that you feel drawn to. Read a chapter a day.

2)   Underline words and verses that encourage you.

3)   When you find a verse that “speaks” to you, write it on a card and memorize it, “tucking His word into your heart.”

4)   Start the process all over again with a new book of the Bible.

Pray ~ Thank You Lord for your word and direction for living.  Show me your truths and help me apply them to my life.

Always Trusting, always leaning on the Lord,

Becky

November 19, 2012 ~ Who I will serve?

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Thoughts~ There is always someone or something that we will be serving. I found myself serving pride and ego once upon a time until the Lord knocked that off my shoulder and humbled me, face down and surrendering to Him. I also served the past, looking at it way too much and allowing it to affect my present and future. God stepped in and knocked that off my shoulder too. He wants me to serve Him and Him alone and as long as I allowed other things to take my time, I could not live my life for Him.

Over my early years as a believer, I have at times served many things that took my focus off the Lord. Once it was my ministry . . . which sounds kind of crazy but it’s true. Putting my ministry ahead of my intimate walk with the Lord made me ineffective and tired.

Joshua kept the Lord in front, in first place; His faithfulness was shown in such a strong and dramatic way in this verse. If we were listening in, the tone might even be a bit sarcastic. After all God had done for the Israelites, it was a challenge of sorts: Serve the Lord or serve someone else, but, at least serve! I can hear him now, perhaps exasperated.

Joshua’s leadership is to be admired but more than anything, it is his complete devotion to serving the Lord and no one, or, nothing else. I want to follow in his footsteps and follow the Lord always.

Action~ Who are you serving? Is it God? Are you putting anything except Him in the first place position in your life?

Take a deep breath and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that is coming between you and God. Is it a spouse or family? Your job? Vacations? People? Shopping? Hobbies? Worries? Events? I love using little visual reminders in my life and I have a few of the little monopoly game houses (like the one in the first image) that are in places in my home that remind me to keep serving the Lord and keep Him in first place in my life. I don't want to allow anything to get in the way of my relationship with God and oh man, the enemy of God is just waiting to shove something else in to position if I am not diligent about my walk with Jesus.

Serving God completely is an experience like none other. It is one of those “ah ha” moments, full of the brightest bliss and deepest contentment. Change your priorities for a life full of meaning and purpose: you can’t go wrong when you serve the Lord.

Pray~ Thank You, Father, for allowing me to see Joshua’s faithfulness to You. May I choose everyday to serve You and only You.

Serving the Lord,

Becky