FreshBread

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:32 & James 4:8

Every once in a while someone says to me…. I just want to be closer to God…. to which I bit my tongue because I want to say…. Why aren’t you? As we read today we are as close to God as we want to be. God has chosen to be in a deep relationship with us and that dictates that you now choose how closely we want to walk with God.

I have discovered through my “church” years that many church going folks love God….but only want God to be close when needed. God has become a spiritual 911 operator or another person we wear a mask with and say everything’s all right. Rarely do I run into a person who travels through life with God each and every step of the day. Why is that? Because it is easier and safer for us to be religious then to be in a deep relationship with God! You see religious people are still in control. Folks that walk in a relationship with God know that He calls the shots!

If it is a deep relationship with God you desire then you must spend time with God, (not just a “quiet time” to kick start the day….but see Him as walking side by side with you through the day). We must be honest with God. Honest with God is not an eye opener for Him….He already knows. But honesty with God is acknowledgment on your part that you will fully trust Him! We must be honest about our doubts too, and in the midst of them choose to obey God. You see this relationship must be my primary focus, the reason I am breathing today….everything else, work, school, kids, etc., finds its place and order in this relationship.

So….How is your relationship with God? You want it to be closer? Then what choices do you need to make today in order for that to be a reality! Have a great day with your best friend! I’m praying for you!!!!!!!!

Scott

Today’s Reading is Romans 5:10; Psalm 25:14

One of the things I’ve noticed different about men and women is that women seem to have a “Best Friend” while many men do not. In fact many men find it hard to point to a real good friend. BUT, I have great news. As you have read this morning God wants to be your best Friend! We struggle with friendship many times because Great friendship takes vulnerability.

So how do we get to be best friends with God? Well, let me assure you that it is due to nothing we have done. If President Bush wanted to be my friend, it would have to be his choice….I could not choose to be a friend of the President. In the same way God had to choose you. However after God chooses to be our friend, we have an opportunity to draw close to God. How? The biggest way is to have a conversation with God! We need to spend time talking and listening to God each day. Do you have time set aside for that? How about first thing in the morning….in the shower…..the drive to work…..a coffee break in the morning? Find some time each day just to talk and develop your friendship with God. He has chosen you to be His best friend!

Scott

What can you do to remind yourself to think about God and talk to Him more often throughout the day?

Today’s Reading is: Romans 6:13

You can search and view or listen to the above Reading at: http://freshstartcc.com/wordpress/

The Heart of Worship (putting a smile of God’s Face) is surrender…. and there in lies a problem! Surrender is what you do when you are in a battle and can’t win! Surrender in our world is for losers and the weak. No one wants that label. We have grown up in a culture that sees surrender as a sign of weakness so we have a host of people who believe in God, love God, and want to do Godly things…. BUT…. are not surrendered to God!

What is the evidence of this? When life is out of control people are on edge, racing around to get things under their control….or complaining about things they cannot control. Listen to how people talk to others. Many times it is sweet and nice, but there are little statements of manipulation and control and often we don’t even know what we are doing….why because we live in a culture that teaches us to be in control or you lose!

We have got to come to grips with this or we will never experience that fullness of the life that God desires for us! Surrender to God is admitting that we were not wired to run life! It is no more losing then surrendering to the fact that you have to put gas in your car to make it run…there are no other options! Surrendering to God is not losing but winning! Remember this…Trusting that Jesus is your Savior needs to be a once and for all decision….but surrendering to His control is a daily decision (moment by moment might be a better description) As people watch and listen to your life, do the see that you live a surrendered life to God and His plan or one that seeks to be in control? What areas of your life are you holding back from God? Wrestle with these questions….wrestle with God!

Have a great day! See you in the morning and hope to see you tomorrow night at Church!!!

Scott