Where are people’s priorities at now-a-days? Truly, instead of doing God’s will, His way is less desired than ever before. It used to be that the people in the church of old loved to come over to other people’s houses, in order to pray with them, read the Bible, and sing songs of praise. However, this hardly ever happens anymore for the majority that say they are Christian. Instead, they invite people over and have get togethers/game nights and talk about their weeks and such, but God is left out of the conversation entirely. This has been what I have witnessed in my families homes and when asking other so-called Christians what they do on the weekends. What is really disturbing is when I bring up Jesus in conversation with my family. This is when people start to tense up and are not interested at all. They start saying things like I am a Jesus freak and change the conversation quickly. Can’t you see how wrong this is? The opposite should be happening, where the mention of Jesus and His words should be edifying one another in the faith. Instead, this is not found in these so-called Christians lives, as their time is spent doing others things outside of His will. What this tells me is that their time in church equals their time for God, but other days are not. Does this ring a bell for you or even define your life? If so, please think about what I have said. Paul said, 1“awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:14-17) Surely, many people are asleep and need to be awakened by God, in order to start doing His will.
Please know that people can say all they want to that they are Christian, but if their lifestyle outside of church is different, then they are only a hypocrite of what they say they are. When people’s lives don’t add up, they are only putting on a masquerade at church. If our belief in Jesus doesn’t extend past the church building that we attend, then we are really all show and no action. For any real Christian, a topic being raised about Jesus, the Bible, prayer or songs of praise, should be welcomed in. We should be ecstatic that someone wants to talk about our Lord, read, pray or sing songs to Him. On that same note, we should feel dumbfounded that we didn’t bring this up to them first. Therefore, every time we have to be with someone, God, His Word, and prayer should be brought up first thing. And don’t forget to make time for singing songs of praise to the Lord most high. This is a great way to end that meeting with them. This is an added bonus to our time with others in the faith. Paul also said, 1“be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20) As was written, proclaiming God’s Word to one another and singing songs of praise is doing God’s will. It is my prayer that people wake up to what a Christian lifestyle should be like, starting today. May you say yes, God, I will obey, and start sharing your faith with others. This will change your life and point you to God, while others are also benefited in the faith.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will desire to live out their faith every day of their lives. May we always have the desire to follow You, no matter what day of the week it is. And when we spend time with others, especially in the faith, may our desires be to read the Bible, pray and sing songs of praise with them. Because You have changed our lives, may we also desire to help change others through the Holy Spirit and point them to You. Your ways are higher and I pray that we will always remember this when we plan out of our day. And since others’ lives matter as much as ours do, help us to be willing to start these gospel conversations with them. Take every bit of our timidness from our hearts and give us courage to speak what is true and faithful to others. We never know if that time with those that we love may be our last, so I pray that we make the most of that time. Surely, the time that we have to pray for other people’s needs will be so beneficial. This time that we have to invoke Your great Name for healing and a resurrection of faith, I know that You will hear us and respond to our needs. Then, will reading Your words in the Bible open up our eyes and ears to following You. Surely, it is wonderful to see people that are willing to listen and also participate in a gospel message. It is also amazing to see them want to sing their heart out for You. You are our God and I pray that we will never forget You. May we also be found seeking You each day of our lives. This way ever moment of lives will count. I love You more than anything, Lord. Nothing else could take Your place. I am so grateful just to have this time with You now and with others. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Ephesians 5 (KJV)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
