The Medicine Cabinet
The reason I call this the Medicine Cabinet is to see what condition
your condition is in, spiritually.
Not so awful long ago I found myself separated from God.
I was putting things of my own desires between myself and God but didn't
realize it. What I did realize was that when I would pray the prayers
were not getting through. The best way for me to describe it is;
my prayers were falling from my mouth to the floor. They just weren't
going anywhere and I felt a sense of abandonment inside. Perhaps
you are or have been in this situation. If you're not or haven't
been my hope is that you never will be. It is a down right miserable
situation. If you are or perhaps know someone that is, I hope something
on this page will help. If you don't find any help here on this page
you can Email me and Id be happy to try and help you along.
Is There A God?
Do you find yourself asking this question? It seems to me the question gives the answer. Something says there is a God, but you take it upon yourself to question it. Instead try to learn more about Him and what you can do to serve Him better. Psalm 53:1 says, the fool has said in his heart, "there is no God". Verse 2 goes onto say that those who understand are those who seek God.
C.S. Lewis, as an atheist, rejected the idea of a Divine being because of all the injustice in the world. But when he asked himself where he got the idea of justice in the first place, he had a problem. He wrote, "Man doesn't call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?"
Sir Issac Newton made a working of the universe. He had a non-believing friend come see it and he was amazed as it all worked in perfect harmony with itself. The friend asked how he did it to which Sir Issac Newton replied, it just happened. Then the unbelieving friend realized how absurd his own ideas had been.
Are you in fellowship with other Christians? Were you before?
I found in my situation I had fallen out of fellowship with my
brothers and sisters in Christ. I was doing what I wanted to do,
when I wanted to do it and how I wanted to do it. Notice the "I
Wants". I had literally walked away from the Church I was attending
and did not seek out another Church for quite sometime. I had thought
about it but did not put forth much effort in remedying it. Then
a friend from work invited me to an open house at the Church she attends.
I've been going there ever since. Thank You Treena Lengel!
Jesus tells us in the Bible that whenever two or more are gathered
in His name, there He is also. I find that strong faithful Church
attendance and fellowship with other Christians so rewarding. It
can't be beat as far as I'm concerned.
So as to not leave an open end regarding the other Church; I returned
there, got up before the congregation and told my story. I also offered
my apology to them. They literally accepted me with open arms, some
with tears.
If you don't have prayer groups or prayer meetings at your Church
I strongly suggest you join one or start one. I suggest you pray
in groups according to gender. Males pray with males and females
pray with females. This greatly reduces the sensitive nature of intimate
prayer requests. If you have personal prayer requests, let them be
known to others so they can pray for them too. If you're uncomfortable
praying aloud, it's okay. You don't have to, but you should try and
grow in this area to where you can pray aloud. No one is there to
critique you. Pray from the heart and ask God's guidance and strength
in this. We all had to start somewhere!
Are You Growing Spiritually?
1 Peter 2:2-3; Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,
so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted
that the Lord is good.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual
but as worldy-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid
food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed you still are not ready.
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling
among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?
Hebrews 5:12-14; In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers,
you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over
again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk,
being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves
to distinguish good from evil.
When I first accepted Christ I was hungry for God's word and eager
to grow. Then for whatever reason[s], I'm not sure, I became stagnant.
I then became idle which lead to my withdrawing from fellowship and attendance
at Church. There were things going on in my personal life, spiritual
life and at Church that lead to the above. In reflection, it was
my spiritual life that suffered most. I can't emphasize enough how
much one needs to continue to grow spiritually and not become idle.
Regarding this I refer to;
Hebrews 10:25; Let us not give up meeting together, as some are
in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more
as you see the Day approaching.
Stages of Growth
The Baby Stage [1Cor. 3:1-4] A baby thinks only of self; and, if denied the things desired, it will raise a rumpus. It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt and it is often jealous. A baby lives to be served-it never serves. It drinks milk and cannot eat strong meat. It cries but never sings. It tries to talk but never makes sense.
The Little Child Stage [1 John 2:12] Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually, but stop there. Here are some characteristics of children; they are often untruthful, envious, and cruel. If rebuked they become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful and often make a scene. They are gossipers and are given to emotional outbursts; and are easily puffed up. They love praise, and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self.
The Young Man Stage [1 John 2:13] Spiritual growth to that of a young man is not achieved by many. He is strong and virile and well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You too can become a young man spiritually by "putting away childish things" [1 Cor. 13:11] and grow.
The Father Stage [1 John 2:13] This stage of spiritual development can be achieved by all, but so few ever attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God [Rom 5:1]. He knows the peace of God [Phil 4:7]. He rejoices in his spiritual children 1 Thess. 2:19, also 1 Tim 1:2]. He has learned contentment under all circumstances [Phil 4:11]. He knows the only source of true strength [Phil 4:13]. He does not brood over the past but looks to the future [Phil 3:13]. He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good [Rom 8:28]. He enjoys the abundant life now and will enjoy it in the life to come [Eph 2:7]
Works
We cannot earn our way to heaven. It can't be done.
Some find this hard to comprehend as if we have to earn our way and that;
believing, confessing and accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God, born
of the virgin Mary, died for our sins, was buried and rose again; is just
not enough.
I would like to call your attention to;
Luke 23:39-43; One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults
at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But
the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since
you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are
getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today
you will be with me in paradise."
When did the thief have time to do good works,
earn his way? He was hung on a tree at the time of this conversation.
But he confessed, believed and accepted Jesus Christ.
The Book of James, Chapter 1 tells us to not only be hearers of the Word but be doers of the Word. It also tells us to persevere through trials and when we have stood the test we will receive the Crown of Life. And that testing of faith develops perseverance.
READ...READ...READ!!!
Read the Bible. Some say that it does not make sense to them or that they cannot understand it. I found that if you just read the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation without trying to understand it all, but more as a story it helps. Then read it all again and it will become more familiar. Do this maybe by a chapter a day as well as attend Church regularly [at least every week] and see if it doesn't start coming more into focus. Then after reading the New Testament 2-3 times, start at Genesis and read through the Old Testament in similar fashion as described as above.
Did You Know?
Over 200 years ago our Founding Fathers shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain by Divine call citing 27 biblical violations they wrote the Declaration of Independence with Liberty and Justice for all.
Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution, 52 were active members of their church. Founding fathers like Noah Webster who wrote the first dictionary,could literally quote the Bible chapter and verse.
James Madison said, "We've staked our our future on the ability to follow the Ten Commandments", with these men who believed you couldn't call yourself an American if you subvert the Word of God.
In his farewell address, George Washington said, "You can't have National Morality apart from Religious Principle."
Quick Questions
If you died today would your soul spend eternity in HEAVEN where eye hath not seen, nor ear heard what God hath prepared for them that love love Him...[1 Corintians 2:9]
...Or in HELL where the rich man said, "I am tormented in this flame." [Luke 16:24]
What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? [Mark 8:36]
You must be born again. [John 3:3]
Pray: God be merciful to me a sinner. Lord forgive me and save my soul. [Like 18:13]
It is appointed unto men once to die, after this the judgement. [Hebrews 9:27]
Why look to the stars for answers when you can look to the very one who created those stars. Let that same right hand of God that placed those stars in the sky hold you up each day.
I hope you enjoyed the Medicine Cabinet and should you have any
comments or suggestions please feel free to Email me below.
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Since 24 Dec 97