Tag Archives: christianity

The Aim of All Christian Effort

Humility is realizing our unworthiness, the feeling and declaring of ourselves as sinners. Because we are sinners, saved by grace. Kneeling suits, us very well as the physical posture of prayer because it illustrates humility.

Neither pride nor vanity can pray. “When pride comes, then comes shame” (Proverbs 11:2). Humility is the very life of prayer. It is a positive quality, a substantial force that energizes prayer. There is no power in prayer to rise without it.

Humility springs from a lowly estimate of ourselves and of our deserving. “Humility, not pride, comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33). To be clothed with humility is to be clothed with a praying garment.

Prayer has everything to do with molding the soul into the image of God. It has everything to do with enriching, broadening, and maturing the soul’s experience of God. A man or woman who does not pray cannot possibly be called a Christian. Scripture speaks of Jesus praying.

Prayer is the only way the soul can enter into fellowship and communion with the source of all Christlike spirit and energy. Therefore, if he or she does not pray, they are not of the household of faith.

God is Holy in nature and in all His ways, and He wants to make us like Himself. He wants us to be Christlike. This is the aim of all Christian effort. We must therefore constantly and earnestly pray to be made Holy. “Pray without ceasing” (Thessalonians 5:17).

Not that we are to do Holy, but rather to be Holy. Being must precede doing. First be, then do. First obtain a Holy heart, then live a Holy life. And for this high and gracious end, God has made the amplest provisions in the atoning work of our Lord and through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

The most important qualities in Christ’s estimate of the highest form of praying are unbeatable courage and stability of purpose. Even if God does not answer our prayers right away, we must keep on praying. In Matthew we have the first record of the miracle of healing the blind.

We have an illustration of how our Lord did not seem to hear immediately those who sought Him. But the two blind men continued with their petitions. He did not answer them and went into a house. The humbled ones followed Him and, finally, gained their eyesight and their plea.

The Gift of Time

Do you ever wonder how some people are able to seemly move the earth and moon in just a few hours? It takes you three hours to get to the store and return, to purchase a loaf of bread. The store is only half mile away, you have shopped there for years, and is aware of the location of all categories in the store.

Yes, I make the same excuses. The traffic was bad and someone pulled out in front of me and I almost had a wreck. There was a long line at the checkout counter, and there was only one register in use.

Yet, I can get to a doctor’s appointment ten miles away, far more traffic and erratic drivers, with minutes to spare. Why, the office reminds me that I 285 has ongoing construction, there is an out of pocket $75.00 fee for missing appointments, and I have to reschedule if I am late.

I have watched for years; my wife demolishes a room to rearrange it. I cringe at the sight of the unorganized mess. A couple of hours later it looks marvelous. I used to criticize her for making a mess. However, in my neatness I come up short in my accomplishments.

There are scriptures about making the most of each day. As we explore these verses, let us reflect on how we can honor God with our time. The Bible offers us wisdom and insight on how to embrace each day fully, encouraging us to live intentionally and purposefully.

Many Christians may struggle to find direction in their daily lives and might wonder how to better use their time. By meditating on God’s Word and applying these truths, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and a more meaningful approach to our lives.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord our God you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16

Where Is God?

This is a question that has been asked since the beginning of time. It is a question that is often asked in times like these. In other times it is asked of those who seem to think that a horrific occurrence has happened that God should have, in their opinion been stopped or prevented. Many times, it is addressed to persons who represent the Holy. As if we are supposed to have some divine answer.

This insight also applies to times of struggle in our own lives. In times of trouble, we tend to rely upon emotions. These emotions question whether God is really there because He does not appear to be at work during our struggle. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

God is omnipresent, He is in all places at all times. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” The answer is that a person can never run from God because He is ever present. Jeremiah 23:24 says, “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.”

But if God is always present, where is God when it hurts and life is difficult? There is a tendency among Christians to view any thing unpleasant that happens to them as the result of “spiritual warfare.” When a difficulty arises, many immediately ask God to remove their distress.

At times the Bible also speaks about where God is in more specific terms. He is often mentioned as dwelling in heaven. In addition, God has revealed Himself visibly in a variety of ways. Some of these include God’s appearance to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3) and His presence with the Israelites in the wilderness.

In the New Testament, Jesus comes to earth as the second Person of the Triune God to reveal God to humanity. John 1:1 defines Jesus as the “Word” and calls Him God. John 1:14 shares, “And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father, full of grace and truth.” He lived, died, rose again, and ascended to the Father in heaven.

In times when God feels distant, we can continue to trust that He is there, that He loves us, and has a purpose for our lives. We can rest in His promises from His Word, knowing that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).