WATCHWORD:
Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. Romans 13:13
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Meditation:
Faith Questions
Have you ever kept a journal? Or maybe just a notebook of your thoughts, inspirational ideas that come to you, to-do-lists to remind you of things that you must do? Or maybe you keep one close by when you are doing your meditation readings or Bible study?
I don’t know how long I have been journaling and keeping a notebook but I have more than 27 notebooks and steno pads that go back to the early 1970s. At present, I’m completing still another notebook and as I page through it I came across an interesting phenomena — lots of questions about my faith walk. Let me share just a few to stimulate some thinking.
- Do you have enough drama in your life or do you think Christians need to have an opinion on about everything? Yes, I think we all have enough drama in our lives, to the point where we are often overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed limits our Walk with the Lord! I also think that too many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have a need to share an opinion of just about everything, or am I being too hard and “unchristian”?
- How can I expect God’s strength if I don’t live by his Commandments? That’s a good one. We tend to live that way, don’t we? Too often we skate on the thinnest of “Christian ice”, are shocked when our life comes apart, and then we cry out to our Lord and Savior. And, Yes, there is God’s strength to lift us up.
- Has God ever surprised you? If your answer is ‘NO’ then maybe you haven’t been paying attention. Have you ever look closely as a dandelion, a newborn’s smile, or a jaw-dropping sunset? My friend just returned from a tour of Iceland, her comment: You can’t see all that beauty and not believe in God. Surprises abound in God’s creation. The little things, the giant things, all of His.
- Have you ever chosen to be happy, safe or comfortable over doing what Jesus would have you do?
Would you find it easier to talk about God to a 4-year-old than to an adult? Could you step into a busy street to help an elderly person to their feet? Use your own wealth to assist a stranger? Tell your faith story outside your circle of friends? - When you read the Bible, what thoughts go through your mind? I believe that when we have thoughts and ideas as we are relating to the Lord, they come from the Holy Spirit within us. So, I would say if when you read the Bible and you have thoughts going through your mind…pay attention. Write it down, act on it.
So many questions; some have answers, some are designed to get us thinking. I do believe that too much on our plate keeps us away from a closer relationship with the Lord. I believe our lives would be so much richer if we followed more closely his commands. I believe that as our relationship with God deepens, he gives us spiritual eyesight, spiritual hearing and our capacity to be awed is multiplied. And, yes, I do believe that the Holy Spirit is either talking to us or nudging us along all the time. We can call it something else, or we can ignore it. However, we would be so blessed if we would but pay attention and act accordingly. Amen.
Wise Christian Quotes:
Bulletin Board:
First Alert — Don’t forget that Sunday, November 6, is “Fall Back” time. This Saturday, before you go to bed, set your clock for an hour earlier as you turn out the light. It can be confusing. If bedtime for you is 11 p.m., set your clock for 10 p.m. Got it? Good.
Closing Prayer:
Thank you Father for making yourself known to us, showing us the way of salvation through faith in your Son. We ask you now to teach us through your word, so that we may be ready to serve you, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. We thank you heavenly Father, for inspiring all Scripture by the Holy Spirit.
