Someone shared a devotion by Oswald Chambers this week that talked about how we all typically imagine that we would be able to handle any major crisis that could come up in our lives. But the truth of the matter is that a major crisis only reveals what we are made of, it does not make us into something. The phrase Chamber used was "If God gives the call, of course I will rise to the occasion." Well it's not quite that simple. How can you rise to the occasion if you're not prepared for the moment? The greatest athletes don't just show up on game day. Sometimes we see names we've never heard of come out and make big plays but I can assure you that it is not those guys' first time on the field. They have put in years of training and practice to prepare for a shot at making a play or making a team. The same is true in our Christian walk. If we're not putting in time on the practice field, which may be your desk, a study, the dining room table, or even your couch, then we will not be ready when the crisis comes. Chambers goes on to say that "when the crisis comes instead of being revealed as fit, you will be revealed as unfit." Crises reveal character, they do not create it.
Your private time of devotion, study, and worship of God is the key to your spiritual fitness. There will come a time when your private life, thoughts, and character are revealed and out in the open. If you have not worshipped in private as you should, you will not be ready for the crisis that is coming. Some people say "when my opportunity comes to rise up for God comes, I'll be alright." No, the truth is you will not. If your private worship has not prepared you for the work you will face, or the crisis on the horizon, you will not be ready.
I was glad I received this on the heels of the 9/11 remembrance this week as well. The attacks from 2001 did not make our country stronger or increase us in any way. They revealed what we were made of. The compassion for others, and passion for our country that came about during that time was amazing. People hugged their loved ones a little longer, began caring for people they didn't even know, and regained a since of pride in the United States of America that seems to be lacking today. Our country was founded on Christian principles and we need to remember our roots. This nation turned to prayer, to church, to God when tragedy struck 14 years ago, and we need to turn to Him again now. As individuals, as the church, as a nation, we need to turn to Him today and every day.
I pray we never face another terror attack like the one on 9/11/2001. And I pray none of us ever face anything as catastrophic as that in our personal lives. But the fact of the matter is that bad things happen in this world. And we must prepare ourselves daily to be able to handle whatever we may face. Let us also never forget the one who willingly died for us on the cross, Jesus Christ. The rescuers on 9/11 became heroes that day not knowing when they went to work what would happen, but Jesus knew God's plan and was willing to be sacrificed for our sins so that through Him we could have salvation.
#NeverForget
Your private time of devotion, study, and worship of God is the key to your spiritual fitness. There will come a time when your private life, thoughts, and character are revealed and out in the open. If you have not worshipped in private as you should, you will not be ready for the crisis that is coming. Some people say "when my opportunity comes to rise up for God comes, I'll be alright." No, the truth is you will not. If your private worship has not prepared you for the work you will face, or the crisis on the horizon, you will not be ready.
I was glad I received this on the heels of the 9/11 remembrance this week as well. The attacks from 2001 did not make our country stronger or increase us in any way. They revealed what we were made of. The compassion for others, and passion for our country that came about during that time was amazing. People hugged their loved ones a little longer, began caring for people they didn't even know, and regained a since of pride in the United States of America that seems to be lacking today. Our country was founded on Christian principles and we need to remember our roots. This nation turned to prayer, to church, to God when tragedy struck 14 years ago, and we need to turn to Him again now. As individuals, as the church, as a nation, we need to turn to Him today and every day.
I pray we never face another terror attack like the one on 9/11/2001. And I pray none of us ever face anything as catastrophic as that in our personal lives. But the fact of the matter is that bad things happen in this world. And we must prepare ourselves daily to be able to handle whatever we may face. Let us also never forget the one who willingly died for us on the cross, Jesus Christ. The rescuers on 9/11 became heroes that day not knowing when they went to work what would happen, but Jesus knew God's plan and was willing to be sacrificed for our sins so that through Him we could have salvation.
#NeverForget
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