The challenge: get back to God
Having children has reminded me of how spiritually irresponsible we can become if we are not careful. We need the basics of getting back to God.
How many parents out there have to continually remind your child to do the basic daily tasks of the day…..brush your teeth, make your bed, and pick up your dirty laundry? Sometimes we as adults, are just as irresponsible in our daily life with the basics of getting back to God.
What are the basics of God?
Why make the change:
The basics of knowing who God is include:
1. Knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior One of the first verses my children are taught at church is John 3:16 which says
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
They are also taught from a young age the Plan of Salvation. They make it basic and simple, like God does ….ABC
A——Admit: Confess to God that you are a sinner. Repent or turn away from your sin.
B—Believe: Trust that Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Jesus to save people from their sins.
C—Commit: Give your life to Jesus. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.
2. Reading the bible and praying EVERYDAY.
Paul repeatedly encourages the early church to study and pray without ceasing. If you ask most people why they don’t pray and study the bible daily, the number one excuse will be NO TIME. But in life we make time for the things we deemed important.
We need to evaluate our lives and ask our-self how pleasing would the Lord be with our idle or “free time?” How much time do we spend on the phone, texting, or viewing online social media places? How easy is it to turn to God when things get rough or we “NEED” him to help with something? Do we turn to Him when we arise in the morning and thank Him for the blessings in our life? It shouldn’t be about all of the wants and needs we require in life. It should be about Him and thanking and praising Him.
3. Attending church, unless sick or requirement from employment.
This is a hard one to tackle, I know many people believe in home church, some are just tired of the local church and all the drama, but how important it is for us as believers to be encouraged and fellowship with other believers.
It is important to do as God says, and rest on the Sabbath day. Take the time to devote it and praise Him. What a glorious time in heaven it must be on Saturday–in some cases and Sunday–when the Lord is receiving praises from His people. It gives you an encouraging time when hearing the message. Time to clear your mind and let God speak to you. It is a spiritual renewing when you are able to engage in worship and feel Gods holy anointing. Many powerful things can happen when bound with a body of believers.
Hebrews 10:25 says
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Take this illustration of a mother who labors and works endlessly to prepare a nutritious meal for her children. She carefully plans, shops, and prepares this meal to provide proper nourishment for her children’s physical growth. What happens when her children decide not to show up for dinner? One is too busy and grabs a hamburger fast food style, the other one grabs a power bar because it “says it is healthy”, the 3rd child decides to eat later and will “reheat’ the leftovers only to discover that they are gone when he was hungry.
Now flip this to a pastor who carefully plans, organizes, and prepares their message for their “flock of sheep.” What if some don’t come because they are too tired, they have a ball game, or just don’t want to go because someone snubbed them the wrong way? Where are they going to get their spiritual nourishment from?
How important it is for us parents to set an example for our children. What are our attitudes and lack of consistency saying to our children? The future generations of our world?
Some may argue that there isn’t as much time in our weeks as the early church as portrayed in the bible. They got together continually to do the Lords’ service. Yes, times have changed, but have those times changed for the better?
What are we putting in our lives to be priority then putting God first? Are sports, work, time in front of the tv, etc robbing us of time we could be investing in God? What things do we value? What things in our life do we spend money on the most, are they for lasting things or temporary happiness?
4. Encouraging other believers.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
As believers it is important that we encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Especially when we know that they are going through a struggle. We must do as Jesus would do and that is to love others, unconditionally.
How to make the change:
In life some things are more easily said than done, but with this “back to God” it is rather easy. No matter what your situation is in life, whether you have an unbelieving spouse, you physically can not get to a church, or maybe you are just waiting on finding that church that is for your family.
Whatever the situation you can still do most ALL of the above. It doesn’t take much to read the scriptures and pray and encourage one another. While you are waiting on your husband or financial situations to change, start praying to God asking Him for wisdom and direction in your life. Continually thank Him for the blessings in life and keep reading scriptures to help Him speak to you.
Everyone can get back to the basics of God, it just takes a decision to do it. I encourage you to reevaluate your priorities in life, today, right now. What are some things you need to change?
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