Is There A Nail In Your "Tires" Of Life

1 Timothy 1:19 “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."

     This instruction is for us. How do we 'cling to our faith in Christ'? First, like clinging to anything - we hang on to it for dear life! Reading our bible, listening to sermons, meeting in a small/life group, listening to praise music, going to church.... hanging on the promises of God in ALL circumstances. How do we 'keep our conscience clear'? By prayer. Confessing to God what He already knows. Also, confessing to another person, your prayer partner, spiritual sister, someone walking life with you that will keep you focused on Jesus. When we deliberately don't do these things, and go against our internal 'right/wrong' - that is going against our conscience. This causes our faith to be 'shipwrecked'. Have you ever run out of gas on your way somewhere? In the middle of the road? Has your car ever gotten a flat? How about your car stall in the middle of driving on the freeway? This is our modern day example of being shipwrecked. Not that the boat is destroyed, but stopped, stalled, hung up and can't move. We CAN 'stall, pause, halt' our faith!! It starts simple enough... we skip reading our bible one day. Or, we make 'family plans' on Sunday and skip church. Or we start hanging around ungodly friends who then take up time we would normally be in a life group. Or we watch tv shows or listen to music that is degrading to people full of violence and foul language... THESE are nails in our tires of faith. Sometimes with a slow leak, other times a quick blow-out.

     Don't shipwreck yourself! Your faith in Jesus is what will get you thru each day when circumstances try to pull you away! What now? Are you are stuck in the middle of a busy intersection? Are you 'shipwrecked'? - pick up your 'bat phone' and send the signal to Jesus!! He's right there! Ask Him to tell you, guide you, show you what step to do first. Then DO IT! One step at a time. He has the biggest, fastest, most reliable tow truck ever! He WILL pull you out of the danger zone & put you at the mechanic shop to be repaired. He WILL strengthen you and your faith! Be blessed today!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jesus Calling May 25

Image
Jesus Calling May 25 th    Perfect! Just like it is - nothing more to add to it - it fits perfectly in my life today!! Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) For the  Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Psalm 34:19 (NLT) The righteous person faces many troubles, but the  Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Read more

How To Be Rich...In Good Works

Image
1 Timothy‬ ‭6:17-19 “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."      What an amazing passage!! Even if we are not rich by our standards or the worlds...we CAN be 'rich in good works'! Being generous isn't always about money. It can be time, conversation, love, kindness... Remember, when we 'do to the least of these' we are doing it to/for Jesus. Today, you have the opportunity to 'experience true life' - you do!! How? By being ready, on the alert, to help, share, do good for someone else. Some people may look alright on the outside, ...
Read more

What Does Twilight Look Like To You

Image
Isaiah 21:4 (NIV) My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me. This chapter contains prophecies against  Babylon ,  Edom  and  Arabia . However, this verse jumped out at me for a different reason. First of all, I had a bit of an MEF (mind’s eye flash) of sitting on a porch overlooking the vast sky towards a big open space. Watching the sun set. Actually sitting there anticipating the setting sun and all of the colors that will be painted across the sky at twilight. How amazing and beautiful the sky becomes each and every night, as God uses it to create a magnificent canvas of art for us to enjoy! I am absolutely amazed each time I see His wonderful sunsets! Then the MEF changed. These verses reminded me of the times I have lost loved ones. How that beautiful night sky became a symbol of the fear, yes even horror of the night to come. The beauty might as well have turned to ashes at that moment ...
Read more

How To Avoid Meaningless Conversations

Image
1 Timothy‬ ‭1:4-5 “Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith."      Have you ever had a conversation with someone that feels like 'it's SO off track' or that leads to a debate of things that just 'don't feel right'? LISTEN to that Red Flag from the Holy Spirit! Excuse yourself, and walk away! Why? Because the enemy uses these crazy opinions & topics to dance around in your head and thoughts for days, weeks, even months ahead. Being a part of a conversation that gets so derailed from truth, is NOT good for anyone! If you cannot bring it back to truth, giving God glory - then leave.      For me, when people start telling colorful, inappropriate jokes, if I can...
Read more