"Families which ignore God and His Word six days a week will not be likely to know God in "the power of His resurrection" on the seventh day of the week!"
We say we are too distracted by the cares of the day to spend time reading and studying our Bible. We allow so much noise and chaos in our homes that we can't ever "Be still and know". We don't teach our children to play quietly or help with chores, so we can talk to God in those quiet moments. Our computers are always on our laps. Our phones are always in our hands. We have scheduled up any extra time that we are so tired on the weekends that that is the only day we choose to rest. We sleep in and plan all our family gatherings leaving no time to give back to God. We have "our days" that we hoard for ourselves, instead of sharing parts with those who need a kind word or a listening ear. We can't share Jesus with others...because we don't know who He is for ourselves. We don't know Him...because we don't take time to know Him. We don't know of His power and the abundant life He can give as we seek and obey.
Knowing God involves more time than reading an ocassional Bible story, praying for a meal, or making a monthly stop into a church. We can't ignore God in our daily walk and expect to have His power at our disposal when "something bad happens".
God has been working in my heart all year about this very thing. God directed my thoughts when I put together the program for our children's Christmas program. "Did you come to see the baby? Or to worship the King?"
It is one thing to say, "I want to follow God's Word", it is another to do it. It is one thing to try to communicate that message to others, it is another to live it yourself. It is one thing to study God's Word, it is another to practice it every moment of every day. It is one thing to "know all the right words and catch phrases to say" to someone who is struggling, it is another to work through that struggle yourself.
We can't know God's power if we don't read His Words which tell us about His power. He hasn't hid anything from us! There is no guesswork needed. It is simple. It is in black and white. We have the freedom to find out about God's power...but we don't.
We still think of Jesus as that little baby in the manger. What a glorious night when God sent His Son into the world! We may still think of Jesus hanging on that cruel cross. What a heartbreaking sight! We might think of the dark, empty tomb. What victory there was on that third day!
Do we realize that right now...Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of His Father? He paid the price for our sins. He is preparing a place for His children. He is ever-interceding for us.
The Bible tells us in Romans 8:14-17, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together."
We can't ignore God throughout the daily-ness of our life and expect to be "zapped" with His power on Sunday hoping that will fix everything that is wrong in our life. He works in our life as we yield to His control...and He works all things...for our good...and for His glory. As we yield and obey, His Spirit bears witness with our spirit, and He gives us the desires that are honoring to Him.
We say He is King...but do we live as if He is? How many times have you bowed your head (a picture of submission) in study and prayer this week? Acknowledging Him one time on Sunday morning isn't all that honorable...when you ignore Him the other six days!
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