Learning To Pray Effectively, Seeking God

Spend Time with Father

How easy is it to get “too busy” to find alone time to pray and draw near to God? We can make all kind of excuses about not enough time, or certain other things which “have to be done”. Maybe we also say we “need our sleep” so can not stay up later or wake up earlier. Is our work any more important than that of Yeshua? our sleep? He made a point to make time to be alone before the Father in prayer, and so should we. It is not just 15 minutes squeezed in, either. he went from evening to the fourth watch of the night.

Matthew 14:22-23

      22Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 

This is not the only example in scripture. Take time to reflect on the fact that Yeshua set an example for us to follow. Ask yourself, without being defensive, “Am I following His example in finding time to be alone with God?”. In this way, we can build relationship with the Father.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Healer, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Provider

Yeshua Feeds 5,000… Consider it as if Reading of It for the First Time

Sometimes we may start to take for granted some miracles that Yeshua has performed, because we have heard it so much. Read this as if for the first time. Consider it as if you were there witnessing it. Imagine how amazing it really is that our Lord did this miracle.

Matthew 14:13-21

Five Thousand Fed

      13Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

      15When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Perhaps the first lesson for us in this scripture would be that Yeshua wanted to find seclusion to be alone, perhaps with the Father. The people were so desperate for Him, they followed. He felt compassion on them and put their needs above His own. There is a lot even there to unpack and we did not get to the miracles yet!

Do we choose the needs of others over our own? Do we feel compassion for others that strongly?

He healed their sick. Such a short, quick line to read. So impactful to dwell on. Don’t pass it up. He healed their sick so long it became evening. The people were getting hungry and the disciple were wanting to provide for them. The disciples were rightly concerned for the people, even if they did not anticipate the miraculous feeding of the 5000.

Yeshua then does the miracle of feeding so many that we have all heard so often. Consider it as if hearing it for the first time. It is truly amazing. There was more left over than when He started.

The next time you face an “impossible” situation, consider what the Lord is able to do. Ask Him to help you, to lead you, and to draw you into His plans rather than for you to bring your plans to Him and ask Him to make them happen.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Murder, Pride, Purposeful / Intentional, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant, Wickedness / Evil

What Can We Learn from the Death of John the Baptist?

There are four perspectives through which I want to view and reflect on the death of John the Baptist, perhaps five. Read through the scripture and I will meet you after with some additional comments.

Matthew 14:1-12

John the Baptist Beheaded

      1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

      3For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

      6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. 10He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Let us reflect on this scripture from the perspective of John the Baptist, Herod, Herod’s wife, and her daughter. I will not go very deep in any one, but rather focus on getting you started. You can reflect more deeply and build out the positions and reflect on it. Human nature has not changed. This is still relevant to what we face today and how we react.

John is perhaps the easiest to summarize. He boldly proclaimed the truth of Yahweh and Messiah Yeshua even at his own personal expense. He did not compromise. He did not ignore sin if it was from powerful people. He was a prophet and submitted servant of Yahweh. He was willing to face persecution, even die for his faith and submission to the Father.

Second, let us reflect from the perspective of Herod. He was fearful of the people even as he was ruler. He was weak as a leader, at least in this situation. He lacked the courage to kill John or perhaps had the wisdom to spare John based on concerns for how the people would react. Either way, how weak can you be to change your mind and kill him because of someone dancing in front of you? Seriously. I get the whole promise thing, but before we give him too much credit remember he was fine with murder to not break a promise! By the way, why even get yourself into that situation with such an open ended offer to the young lady who asked for the head of John the Baptist. Do not miss that there is likely some pride factoring in here as he did not want to look bad in front of dinner guests. He made bad decisions and did so for bad reasons.

Herodias was consumed by hate for John. She did not like what he had to say about her relationship with Herod. She held a grudge. It was not enough that he was in jail and she was married to the ruler doing as she pleased. She has to get even. Think about the fact that she was so selfish. She could have encouraged her daughter to get something else which could have been of real value and benefit to her. Nope. She selfishly demanded to kill John, which benefits her daughter absolutely nothing.

Herodias’ daughter was trying to please her mom. I get that. I do not know how old she is at this time, but she failed to exert her own good judgment to not murder someone. She could have asked for something really beneficial to her, but did not. She is an example of how much power and influence parents can have over their children. That can be a good thing, but not in this case with Herodias as the mother. The disregard for John’s life and the waste of an opportunity to get something of real value is evidence of a child who is well on her way to being like her wicked mother.

The last perspective… consider it all from God’s perspective. With whom was He pleased? With whom was He disgusted? Why? If John would have changed his testimony to save himself, would God have been more or less pleased? I think God was pleased with John. He would have been disappointed if John would have changed to save himself.

Now, the final part… let’s think through the different aspects of this message today and apply it to our lives. Are we fully devoted to serve and please the LORD? Are we selfish and prideful, letting others influence our choices for sake of our image? Are we vindictive and pursuing revenge rather than mercy? Are we consumed with hate or can we move on gracefully when someone does something we do not like or agree with? Are we willing to hear criticism from another’s perspective and consider it? If we are trying to please others, do we use good judgment and do what is right even if it is displeasing to them? Do we remember to please God first?

We are free to choose our way, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices as it relates to our relationship and righteousness (or not) before our Father.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Consequences of Sin, Curse, Miracles, Miracles, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant, Through Prophets, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Worldliness

Do You Want a Blessing or a Curse?

Yahweh’s prophets are not to be taken lightly. The seem to be given significant power and authority in and of themselves without having to go ask Yahweh first in every case. There is no indication that Elisha went to God to ask for a response to the mockers or the stream. He spoke on the LORD’s behalf and had authority to curse or bless on His behalf.

At some level, 2 Kings 2 reflects the overall choice we have in serving God and being blessed, or rejecting Him and being cursed. We should take it seriously, though clearly our culture at large does not.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

    26“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

2 Kings 2:15-25

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

      15Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 16They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” 17But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. 18They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

      19Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” 20He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’” 22So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

      23Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldhead!” 24When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number. 25He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Ask me if I want a blessing or a curse? Blessing, of course. But if we truly want that then we need to seek and submit to Yahweh through Yeshua. We build relationship and we will want to live according to His ways to be pleasing to Him. He cares how we live.

Ask most folks if they want a blessing or a curse, and they will say blessing. Look at how they live their lives, and in many cases you will see they are selecting the opposite answer and may not even realize it.

Prayerfully reflect on this before Yahweh. Ask Him to help you see any gaps in your relationship with Him, any areas where you are not choosing Him and His ways. Then change in those areas.  Pray for others as well.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Miracles, Miracles, Submitted / Servant

If Your Desire Is to Serve Yahweh, Ask Boldly

Of course we could read 2 Kings 2 and focus on Elijah getting taken up in a chariot of fire. What an extraordinary event! However, today, I want to focus on Elisha. He was a loyal servant of Elijah and of Yahweh. When asked what he wanted, he did not go small, but it was all focused on serving Yahweh. He was not selfish or self serving.  We know this fully by continuing to read on through 2 Kings to see how Elisha used the gift given to him.

2 Kings 2:1-14

Elijah Taken to Heaven

      1And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”

      4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.” 6Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

      7Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

      9When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.

I have heard an expression, “Not to ask is not to receive”. While this is certainly not always true, there is some general truth to it. Let us come before our LORD and ask, especially when what we ask for is intended to help us serve and glorify Him rather than glorify ourselves.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Consequences of Sin, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Humility, Protector / Deliverer, Through Prophets, Unteachable / Foolish, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Humble Yourself to Hear What Yahweh Has to Say

Yahweh responds favorably to those who humble themselves before Him. He does not respond favorably to those who reject Him in favor of false gods or who are arrogant in standing against Him and His messengers. Let us listen to His message, even when it convicts us in our sin. Let us repent rather than get angry at the messenger or the one who sends them.

2 Kings 1

Ahaziah’s Messengers Meet Elijah

1Now Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 2And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill. So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.” 3But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4“Now therefore thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” Then Elijah departed.

5When the messengers returned to him he said to them, “Why have you returned?” 6They said to him, “A man came up to meet us and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you and say to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”’” 7He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?” 8They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

9Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” 10Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

11So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he said to him, “O man of God, thus says the king, ‘Come down quickly.’” 12Elijah replied to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

13So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. 14“Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.” 15The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. 16Then he said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

Jehoram Reigns over Israel

17So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 18Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Take note  that He demonstrates power against His people who stand against Him in 2 Kings 1, rather than pagans or gentiles. While He will not always act as clearly in our eyes as He did here through Elijah, the principal remains the same.

Ahaziah seems to suffer from a similar problem as Ahab before him. He does not listen to the message from Yahweh. Instead he gets angry at the messenger. He misses the whole point and chooses not to repent in this situation. We should take care to listen to the message of Yahweh’s word, even when it stands in judgment against our mistakes. Repent and get right with our Father rather than hate and abuse the messenger.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Devotions by Tonia

Not One Step

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you in the way you should go. I will instruct you with my eye upon you.

Let the Lord lead you so precisely that you don’t take one step without him. Stay in his shadow and let him lead. If we step out of line from his path, it causes us to lose direction.  We have to have his vision to fulfil the call he has for us. The bible says in Proverbs 29:18 that without vision, the people perish. Don’t let the enemy get you off course.  it is vitally important that you follow the Father’s voice.

Tune in to hear him clearly.  Don’t step until he speaks. Sometimes he calls us to be still for a season. In still times, just wait for what to do next.  Don’t let confusion set in.  Let his word guide you. It is truth and living power to our lives.

Prayer

Lord, let us always wait for you before we move in a decision. Let our ears be inclined to hear your voice to lead and  guide every step we take. Keep us from getting off the course you have for us.

In Jesus name. Amen

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Devotion by Tonia in service to Christ

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)

Consequences of Sin, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Fear / Reverence for God, Heaven and Hell, Justice / Judgment, Parables, Seeking God, Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant, Wickedness / Evil

Fishing with a Drag Net… Some Will Be Discarded, Others Saved

The last parable in Matthew 13 is very similar and consistent with the earlier one of the wheat and the tares. We can see that there is a mixture of good and evil upon this earth. At the end of the age they will be separated and the wicked thrown into the fire. This is real. Take is seriously. Do not simply read over it too quickly and miss the importance of what is said.

Matthew 13:47-52

A Dragnet

     47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49“So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

      51“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” 52And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

We have an opportunity now to pursue and submit to our LORD while we yet live. So, too, we have the opportunity to witness to and serve others in His name, to love others in His name. Let us pursue this as the priority in our lives and rejoice in our relationship with Him.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Parables, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

What Is the Hidden Treasure That We Should Pursue It at All Cost?

Two parables in Matthew 13 work together to make a very important point. When we truly come to know our Lord and Savior, we should be filled with joy. The value in knowing and submitting to our Father and embracing our relationship with Him and forgiveness found in Yeshua is so valuable, we should be willing to give up everything else we have (if necessary) to obtain it… and do so joyfully and thankfully.

Matthew 13:44-46

Hidden Treasure

      44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

A Costly Pearl

      45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

It is also interesting to consider in these parables that it is only once we have experienced it, see it in some way, that we can truly recognize the value and then pursue it so enthusiastically and joyfully.

I must admit, I am not living day to day with this much joy in having relationship with my Father. I too often let myself get distracted by the many things around me in every day life that sometimes do not go so well. I do want Him and I do know He is most important, but I want to feel the level of joy in seeking Him more deeply at all cost that is portrayed in the parables.

Join me in praying that Yahweh would give each of us who are submitted to Him through Yeshua the joy and enthusiasm to pursue Him fully and without restraint.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Parables, Purposeful / Intentional, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant

Our Relationship with Yeshua Should Affect All Aspects of Our Lives

The parable of the mustard seed and the leaven in Matthew 13, are both referring to spiritual growth in either an individual or a newly founded church community. The seed of faith in, truth about, and submission to Yeshua is at first small. However, over time it grows to dominate the heart of the individual or community.

Matthew 13:31-35

The Mustard Seed

      31He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.”

The Leaven

      33He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

      34All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.

35This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES;
I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

The large tree would affect dramatically the environment around it. Likewise, leaven affects the whole loaf despite being a small part. So too our relationship with Christ will mature and grow to dominate all aspects of our lives if it is sincere and we pursue it as we should. It is not simply affecting “what we do on days of worship once a week”.

The leaven provides interesting perspective on how the growth takes place. Largely, it is gradual and secret. It takes time. It does not simply announce itself, but gradually grows to affect the entire loaf. Similarly, the tree from day to day does not appear to grow, but as you see it over time it is actually growing significantly.

Prayerfully reflect on these parables and how they apply in your life. Have you fully submitted to Yeshua? Is your relationship with Him dominating your whole life in all aspects? or have you simply carved out a space or time that He can be a focus and then blocked off the rest of your time to continue living as you would without Him?

Remember that even when you get on the right track in relationship with Christ, at times your growth may seem slow day to day. Do not be discouraged. Keep pursuing Him and building relationship with Him, just as you would over many years with a spouse or a good lifelong friend. It takes time. You are never “done”.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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