Breath In....Breath Out: Are You Refusing God?

Last week, we talked about the warnings Hebrews gives to believers to keep them from backsliding.

One thing I want to say is that if you are not going forward you are going backward. This is because we are sinners who tend to go our own way unless we are submitting to God and going His. Backsliding is something we must guard against.

One of the signs that you are backsliding it that you refuse the judgment of God when it comes to you.

God speaks His will to His people in His Word, by His Spirit, and even by His people. It is important that we test all things back to His Word as we seek His will for our lives.

Sometimes, the will of God is judgment. That is, correction. When judgment comes, the Christian would do well to receive it and embrace it.

We are currently living in a culture that is receiving the judgment of God. For the most part, our country has lived under the blessing of God. This is just no longer so.

As Christians, this is reason to rejoice!!! The judgment of God brings people to a place where they realize just how needy they are. They are not able to go about with life as usual convincing themselves that they have because they work.

In times of judgment, God's people have the answers, the security, and most importantly the hope!

So, in these days. Seek to be one who does not refuse the judgment of God. Receive it and embrace it and make the most of it be arming yourselves with these attitudes:

Love - for God and for people. We love by KNOWING them. You, reach out to people get to know them and look for ways that you can bless them.

Practice hospitality - in times of hardship, we tend to withdraw from hospitality. Yet, these are the times when it must increase. Simply open your heart and your home to those around you. Christian, nonChristian, friends, family, and strangers....Have a vision to CARE for those around you in good times and in bad. They'll notice and want more of the God that made it possible.

Remember persecuted Christians - At this time, these are people in other countries. Remember them, pray for them, seek to help them if the opportunity arises. But, count yourself like them. That is, make their urgency, their sincerity for carrying out God's work your own.

Guard Purity - Yours and that of those around you. Cultivate godliness in yourself and those around you with everything you do! Lift up the standard, stick to is, honor God and one another. Value marriage and build it up. Let there be no appearance of evil.

Contentment - Do not fall into materialism. Be prepared for crisis, but do not be consumed. Speak contentment and faith to your children. This way they will see and know and rest in God's goodness no matter what.

On a final note for this week. Remember that whenever judgment comes, it is speaking first to God's people (1 Peter 4:17). Haiti was hit with a blow earlier this year. We should not think that it was God wagging His finger at the evils that go on there. As Christians, we should look at what happened to Haiti and thank God for an opportunity to work out our salvation and offer the hope we have received in Christ to those in desperate need!