Refreshed

Sometimes in our Christian walk we feel discouraged. Many times. Then suddenly the next day we feel fresh and ready to serve the Lord. I have often given myself the credit for being refreshed when really it's God. When he sees we are struggling and becoming forgetful in what the gospel should mean to us, he lifts us up and gives us a boost. Pray for that every day, a new desire each day to serve God.

Fertile Soil

I was reading again in my devotional and found a really good thought by John Piper. In order to be ready for God's message on Sunday we should prepare our hearts Saturday night as well as Sunday morning. By praying and asking God to open our hearts to the Word, we can properly accept the message and apply it into our lives. We need to make a sermon more than just a Sunday thing, a life principal.

Opposition

As Christians we are fighting a daily battle. Don't expect to sit on the sidelines and watch the game. It is a hands on experience. If you find yourself living a comfortable life, no opposition, then you aren't fighting against the sin nature. Get in the battle! Don't make peace with the devil! Get on God's side and give him your life! He will change you, better equip you to fight against sin!

"Bad" Words

Many people say that words like "darn", "heck", "shoot", and "gosh" are bad words. Well are they? Why do we use these words? To release anger in a word that way we don't scream at a person or hurt some one's feelings. Are these words habitual? Yes, as soon as you stub your toe it's, "darn it". When you cut your finger with a knife because you were careless, "shoot". Immediate reactions, they just come out, you don't have time to think about them. Okay so how is that wrong? Do you ever have curse words floating around in your mind? Especially after working a long day with people who use bad language more than they use good? Then you have to stop yourself from slipping and saying them? That is why these substitutes aren't good, they are the one word that has free pass from your mouth and once the real curse words get in your head it won't be long before they start coming out your mouth. I slipped the other day when I spilled gas on my hand while filling the lawn mower, I've decided to stop saying "shoot".