The First Sunday of June

Today is the first Sunday of June. Many people are beginning a vacation. Some are going to the beach. Some are going camping. Some are traveling to another city or town to have a little adventure. As for me, I am a Christian and a pastor's wife., so I am doing what I do almost every Sunday. I am going to church. This is a wonderful thing! I have been going to church most of my life and I have always found it enjoyable. But, as I have been sitting here, thinking about it, it has come to my mind that Sundays and church are not for my enjoyment. Yes, I really said that!

God's Word teaches that Sunday (our Sabbath) is to be a day of rest and a day dedicated to worshipping God. So let's see how I'm doing. Rest?  Yes!!! I need a good nap today. What about worship? Well...what is worship, really? Is it going to church? Is it listening to a sermon? Is it singing songs about what Christ has done for us? Well, yes...and no. Those things are often parts of a worship service, but true worship is when we take time to offer ourselves completely and without reservation to God. It's a time to acknowledge the He is God and WE are NOT. It's a time to say, " Lord, Here I am. Use me for Your glory. Make me into whatever you want me to be. You are the potter and I am the clay."

So, did I worship today? Yes. It was brief and probably not all it should have been, but the day isn't over! How about you? Did you rest and worship today? If not, it's never too late, even if it's already Monday!

The Road to God

We live in a culture that tells us that all roads lead to God; It doesn't really matter which religion you adhere to, as long as you believe in something or someone. Personally, I believe in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God,  spoken of in the Bible. I disagree with the idea that all roads lead to God. Why?

I believe that the Bible is God's word to us. Many people believe that. However, I find more and more often that those who say they believe the Bible is true do not even know what it says! For example: "God helps those who help themselves." - that's NOT in the Bible!  Here's another one -" We are all God's children." No. We are all God's creation. Only those who believe in His Son, Jesus, are called His children.  The following excerpt from the Bible, from the book of Galatians, says this:

   "26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith," - Galatians 3:26 | NIV

As you can see, it clearly states that faith in Jesus is how we become children of God. 1 John (that's near the end of the New Testament) explains that we must accept Jesus in order to reach God.

   "22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life."          1 John 2:22-25 | NIV

So I ask you, where do you stand with God? Do you believe in God but prefer to bypass Jesus? These  verses clearly show that this approach to God will not work. If you deny Christ, you are essentially denying both God the Father AND His Son, Jesus. Instead of bypassing Jesus, He should be the center of our worship and in the center of our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-10 CEV says, " 5 With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. 7  Don't ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the LORD and stay away from evil. 8 This will make you healthy,and you will feel strong."

Choose Jesus!