Taking God for Granted

Do you take God for granted? Now, before you answer that, you might want to consider a few things.

I’m not necessarily talking about skipping quiet time or having a regular prayer time. Many of us lead pretty hectic lives. It is sad that when we most need to hear a word from God we end up missing those appointments with the lover of our soul.

What about when you’ve come through a particularly painful time? Too often we bask in the peace that surrounded us and never realize from Whom that peace came. Or do you even look back and recognize the Lord’s footprints in your life? Just like we often credit our successes when they aren’t ours at all, but our Heavenly Father strengthening us and giving us the power to keep on keeping on.

All of us suffer from stress. There are always so many things screaming for our attention -- work, family, kids, and sometimes even church.

A loud warning alarm should screech within our souls when chaos, frustration and anxiety begin to be the normal pattern of our lives. Because that is not what God has in mind for us. He didn’t design us to live on the edge -- the edge of our emotions, the edge of our peace, or the edge of our sanity.

In all honesty, today’s society gives more time to learning how to operate their new computer or navigate the internet than learning about the Creator. Without knowing God and experiencing an intimate relationship with Him through Jesus, we’ll never recognize His voice when He speaks to us.

It’s not as complicated as you might think. Reading the Bible is where one begins. Within the truth of the Creator’s words, we begin to hear Him. That really is the first step of obedience in living a life that brings peace with God, each other, and, maybe most importantly, peace in your heart.

While ignoring God hurts the Father, it does far more damage to ourselves.

Now ask yourself, are you hearing what God has been speaking to you?

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.” John 16:31, The Message

Blessings, Francine

2 comments:

    On 7:22 PM Maxine said...

    We recently did a study on Mary and Martha and it was very interesting. Listening to Him, through His Word, is slowly being forgotten and each of us needs to be careful. I had to kind of say "ouch" for a couple of things in this post.
    I hope all is well with you. I don't get to visit much anymore.

     

    I think your post here has some good advice. My own problem in life has been stress, causing depression, and though I'm a Christian life is not always just perfect. But I have been given strength to keep following God and I know He will not abandon me. If you want to check my blog it is http://threeswans.blogspot.com
    I had another message, too. If you like reading and include "The Oath" as a choice, may I tell you about another one to try? "Outcasts Of Skagaray" is meant to look at stark reality and show Christian hope through it. For excerpts, go to www.threeswans.com.au and see the sample chapters. If you read and enjoy it I would be delighted, but in any case I greet you in the Lord Jesus as a fellow believer.

     
 
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