I know this sounds like a strange title for a committed Christian to be writing, but hang on and keep reading, and hopefully, you will get the point. If this makes you mad, it is not me you are mad at, but God. When I was growing up, a dog was a beloved friend. I can remember sitting outside and stroking my dog until both of us were sleepy. She was loyal, always there when I opened the door, took whatever I gave her to eat, and seemed to enjoy it. When I wanted her to do tricks, I would reward her with a bone to chew on. She was perfectly happy. No matter how I treated her, she was always there. As I got older, my interest changed. I didn’t spend much time with her, friends, opportunities to do other things, and even sleep took her place. I thought she was my best friend, but I really didn’t treat her that way.
This is how most people who call themselves Christians treat God. They have said a prayer, and the guilt is gone. They seem to love Him immensely and want to tell everyone about Him, but as the relationship grows older, they don’t pay that much attention to Him. Other things that seem so important take His place. Oh, He is not forgotten. He just slides down the ladder of importance. We tell ourselves He will understand when we miss church for entertainment or other people. What am I supposed to do? I have no control over my child’s schedule of activities. After all, it’s summertime and God knows that. He knows I’m faithful, I go every time I can. I can’t go when my children have something going on, and I sure can’t go when I have company. What would people think? God knows I love him.
The issue is not, do you love Him. My dog knew I loved her, but every now and then, I needed to throw her a bone just to remind her she’s still special to me. The issue is how much do you love God? Don’t kid yourself by saying you love Him more than anything if you allow other things to fill your time more than He does.
So, how do you spend your time? How does God say I should spend my time?
- I should be faithful to church. Faithful does not mean once a week, or when it is convenient. If it did, he would not have put Hebrews 10:25 in His word. If you read this verse in its context, it’s much like things are today, believers were not attending church. The author is telling them not to miss, and that they ought to be exhorting one another to go to church, how often? More, as you see the day approaching. What day? The coming back of our Lord Jesus Christ! Are we not closer to that now than ever before? Yet, people seem to be going less, not more. It is Satan’s way of getting us off course. If he can throw things in our path that seem important and keep us out of the church, he can lessen our testimony and eventually destroy it. It’s his first step of deception for those who claim Christ. What keeps you away? Does it have eternal value?
Hebrews 10:25 “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.”
Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”
- I should spend time daily in His word. The Bible is God’s love letter to me. If someone you love writes you a letter, do you read it? Most of the time we read it more than once. Sometimes we save it and cherish it forever. God wants to talk to us, to help us know how to be successful in this walk that should lead to eternity with Him. Here are several verses that back up why it’s is important. Each one gives us important reasons to read and study.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
- We need to be praying. Not just asking God for things, but talking to Him. We need to tell Him how much we love Him, how grateful we are He loves us, confess our sins to Him, and seek forgiveness. We need to have a continual mindset thinking of Him.
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”
Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Are you throwing God a bone once a week so he’ll be there when you need something? Do you throw Him a bone because you feel guilty because you haven’t spent much time in prayer and study? Do you throw Him a bone by showing up for church once a week?
It’s very easy to allow life to take you over, rather than allowing God to be in control. That is not how the Christian life is supposed to be. If you see yourself in any of these situations, do something about it. We all have things that keep us from being all God wants us to be. It’s not a crime to acknowledge other things have interfered with your walk with the Lord, but it is a sin to do nothing about it. Acknowledge it, confess it, repent and forsake it. Make up your mind that God is first in your life, it’s not just words. Seek to let everything about you show that He is first. You will experience a peace and joy that can’t be found any other way! One day, each of us will stand before Him and give an account for everything we have done. That can be a good day or a very shameful day. It’s your choice!
