Changing the Face of Christianity
We help you and fellow Christians to authentically love God and others
We’re All InvitedRead Matthew 22:1-14. It’s the parable of the Wedding Banquet. It’s a story about how God sent people to teach us and encourage us to follow His ways. Those that didn’t follow his ways were uninvited from the wedding banquet (aka. Salvation). And since those who were originally invited (Jewish people) didn’t follow his ways, the wedding was opened up to others (aka. Gentiles. e.g. you and me). [Read more…]
Ever feel disconnected from God? People often express this feeling, but don’t seem to know how to get reconnected.
I want to offer a possible solution by considering worldly relationships. For example, how do you have a relationship with the friends and family in your life? You talk, hang out, get together for meals, movies, activities, etc. Yet, do you ever feel “disconnected” from friends and family? Sure! Does that mean they don’t exist? No. It usually means I’m distracted with other things. I’m not reaching out. I’m absorbed in my own life.
Isn’t this true then of our relationship with God? When you are absorbed in your own world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from God. Remember, just like with friends, you can talk with God. That’s called prayer. Just like with family, you can “hang out” with God. That’s called quiet time. You can join God via the activity called Bible study. Finally, you can share a meal with God through communion…or the holy sacrament.
So, the next time you feel disconnected from God, consider where your heart and mind have been. Reconnect with God through prayer, quiet time, Bible study, and communion.
As always, share your ideas on how to reconnect with God. Let us hear what you think too!
Philippians 4:6 says “Worry about nothing, trust in the Lord with everything.” That’s what we say. But what do we do? Do you trust in the Lord with everything?
Worry is a control issue. We want control over uncertain or uncomfortable situations. But God says to trust in Him. This isn’t to say that life will be without pain and problems. But Christian maturity means trusting God that His plans for us are greater than our present difficulties.
So, when you start to worry, instead-start to pray…and place your trust in God.
God isn’t a big fan of humans doing things for our own glory. In fact, look at any behavior where the goal is to draw attention away from God and to ourselves. You can bet that God is frowning upon it. Focusing on God’s glory (more Him, and less us) is a sign of Christian maturity.
The Jewish Pharisees were known for praying in public as a show of their self-righteousness. They were seeking their own glory and Jesus Christ saw right through it.
But let us not think we are immune from such actions. Us mere humans are bent upon seeking the approval of other people. We want to look better than we are. We want to appear like we have it all together. We want to come across as more spiritual or holy than we are. God knows our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him.
And so, this installment of “2 Minutes to Christian Maturity” is about private prayer. Let’s read from Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
So God says we should pray in private. Does this mean public prayers are not heard? Of course they are! God is recommending private prayer so we aren’t tempted to pray with the wrong motivation (self glory).
The most effective prayers are those when we come humbly before our God, lay ourselves bare before Him, repent of our sins, and ask for His grace and forgiveness. When was the last time you prayed like that in public? God knows that praying in private is the best place to have “quality time”.
When I started caring more about what God thinks of me than what other people think of me, it evolved into a genuine act of worship instead of trying to “look Christian”.
But when it comes to Christian maturity, God knows best. If given the choice, private prayer, free of distractions, is preferred. Take 2 minutes, and find a secluded spot where you can connect in prayer with our Holy God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Giver of life, the One who knows what we need even before we ask.
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Written PrayersHave you ever read the Psalms? They are written prayers to God. Some are songs and others are just the outpourings of the heart.
I just listened to an audiobook version of “Here I Stand”, which was Martin Luther’s self defense of his writings which sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1521. (google it. It’s a great read)
Although he had many supporters among common Christians, he was facing an onslaught of criticism and pressure from the Catholic leadership to recant his writings against the church’s misuse of authority and contradiction with scripture. In preparation for his defense, he wrote out a prayer to God for strength to persevere according to God’s will.
It struck me that we too should sometimes write out our prayers to God. And so, I want to encourage you to give it a try.
But in addition to the short prayers, let’s seek the maturity of some of our faith’s forefathers and write out our heartfelt, earnest prayers to God.
But in addition to the short prayers, let’s seek the maturity of some of our faith’s forefathers and write out our heartfelt, earnest prayers to God. Leave a comment or send me a note and let me know how it impacts you.
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Christian often struggle to read the Bible. Maybe you don’t have time. Maybe you don’t know where to begin. Maybe you’ve tried before and felt it was too confusing or monotonous. Or, maybe you just couldn’t keep up the pace with some Bible study or reading plan.
Regardless of the reason for not reading the Bible, we have a solution. It’s part attitude and part discipline.
Let’s approach the Bible with the right attitude. The Bible isn’t something you ever finish reading. For example, I’ve “finished” reading it cover to cover several times. But am I “finished”? Hardly. The Bible is something that can be studied and consumed an entire lifetime.
Our suggestion is not to focus on finishing the Bible. Instead, focus on STARTING…daily
So, our suggestion is not to focus on finishing the Bible. Instead, focus on STARTING…daily. If you start reading the Bible every day, you’ll make incredible progress over time. It’s the tortoise vs hare approach to reading the Bible. Go slow and steady, instead of trying to consume the whole thing in a flurry of reading activity.
Pick a good time you can commit to. This is where the discipline takes over. If I wait until after my kids are awake in the morning, you can forget about it. If I wait until I get to the office, other priorities take over. If I wait until the evening, I’m often too tired to read. For me, the best time is before I ever step foot out of bed in the morning. But choose a time that works for you.
So, what can be done in 2 minutes? Can you read an entire book or chapter? Not likely. Read what you can…in 2 minutes. This year, I started reading through the Psalms. Most books in Psalms can be read in under 2 minutes.
Simple Daily Discipline
1. Open to your bookmark
2. Read for 2 minutes
3. Move your bookmark
Whether you read a digital Bible or whether you kick it “old school” with a paper Bible, follow this simple daily discipline:
Again, focus on starting each day. Commit to reading for just 2 minutes a day. Contact us in about 2 months and let us know how far you’ve gotten through that Bible that previously was so hard to make time for. God Bless.
If you enjoyed this article, would you please share it with your facebook friends? Send a message about this page (https://changingthefaceofchristianity.com/christian-maturity) to Christian friends on facebook. Thanks!