A Heart for Christ: December 2024

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Lukewarm Christians

Sometimes, people get confused about what it really means to follow God by giving our lives to Jesus Christ. Some believe that once they’re saved, they don’t need to do anything else. They don’t think they need to follow God’s Word or live by the example of our Lord and Savior. They think it’s okay to live like the world and do whatever they like, but this is not true.

In Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT), God says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” This means that it’s better to either have a real relationship with God or not be saved at all than to be in the middle—saved but not living how God calls us to live.

1 Peter 2:21 (NLT) tells us, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” Jesus lived a life of goodness, love, and service to others, even while suffering. His life is the blueprint that God wants us to follow. This is not hard or boring. It is a privilege to follow Christ and love people the way that he did.

Imagine if you had a friend who said they were saved, but you never saw them pray, read their Bible, or talk about God. Instead, they’re always on social media, partying, and doing things that don’t reflect God’s love. That’s an example of a lukewarm Christian. They’re saved, but their actions show that they’re not fully devoted to God.

This helps us see the difference between a Christian who is truly living for God and one who is only following God when it’s convenient. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) tells us to “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.” In this verse, God tells us to take a moment to honestly look at our own lives. We need to see if we are living fully for God or if we are just going through the motions. If we are just going through the motions, we should know that our wonderful Heavenly Father deserves way more than that. Let’s strive to be on fire for God, living out our faith with passion, devotion, and obedience.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Monday, December 23, 2024

When We Fail to Honor our Promise to God

Have you ever made a promise to God that you didn’t keep? His Word tells us that it is wrong to do things that He tells us are sins. So, maybe you promised Him that you were going to stop doing something that doesn’t please Him, and at the time, you were sure enough about your conviction that you made a vow to God about it. Or, maybe you promised to do something for Him and His Kingdom, but you didn’t follow through? It happens to many of us, but it's important to remember that promises to God are serious. He takes us at our word, so when we make promises or vows to God, we need to keep them. If we don’t, we should be aware that breaking these promises can have consequences that we really don’t want.

For example, imagine you promised God that you were going to read your Bible every day. You read 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT), which says, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” This verse tells us that reading and studying the Bible is what our Heavenly Father wants all of us to do, and you commit to Him to do better. You start out doing just what you promised, but then other things start to clash with your reading and studying time. Slowly, you abandon your promise. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. God cares about the promises we make. When we don’t keep our word, it can mess up our blessings.

In Numbers 30:2 (NLT), it says, “When you make a vow to the Lord, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vows.” This shows us how serious God is about the promises we make. If we vow to do something, we need to follow through. But before we make a vow to God, we should make sure we have developed a habit of walking by the Spirit, so that we understand how the Spirit helps us and we recognize his voice. Our faith in the Spirit’s help and guidance gives us the confidence that we can keep the vows and promises we make to God.

The truth is, sometimes it’s easy to make promises when we’re feeling good or motivated, but when temptation hits, it can be harder to keep them. So, if you know something is tough for you to do, like breaking a bad habit or giving something up, maybe instead of making a promise you might not keep, ask God to help you. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) reminds us, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”God’s Holy Spirit lives within us, and he can help us overcome challenges.

Asking for God’s help before making a promise will set us up for success. So, the next time you’re thinking about making a promise to Him, think carefully. Make sure you’re ready to keep your word, and if you’re not sure, ask Him for help first.

Monday, December 16, 2024

Discerning What Is and Isn’t of God

There are many churches and religions that claim to follow Jesus Christ and belong to him, but not all of them truly represent him. It is sad to say, but some are fake. They are counterfeits—false prophets and fake churches, and we must be very careful to discern them correctly.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:24 (NLT), “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Our Lord and Savior is warning us that there are prophets, preachers, and teachers that may look as if they are filled with the Holy Spirit, but they are not. They do not have a true relationship with God. They may appear to be doing amazing things, but they aren’t truly sent by our Heavenly Father. We must remember that just because someone seems to be doing great things doesn’t mean they are following Jesus the right way. Looks can be deceiving.

You might ask, “How can I tell if my church is really following God?” Well, when you accept Jesus into your life, God places His Holy Spirit within you, and the Spirit guides and shows us what’s true. 1 John 4:1 (NLT) says, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” Not every spirit is from God, so we need to be careful about what we hear and make sure it matches what the Bible says. The Holy Spirit helps us know the difference between what’s true and what’s not.

So, always listen to the Holy Spirit, and pray and ask God about everything. Ask the Lord to show you what is truly from and of Him. If something doesn’t sound right, check it with God’s Word. Trust that the Father will help you know the truth, because He loves you and wants you to be blessed by obeying His Word.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Pleasing God

Pleasing God can sometimes feel difficult, but it’s something we should always try to do. If you ever feel unsure about how to please God or don’t know where to start, remember this passage in Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT):

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

This verse reminds us of ways we can please God. It tells us to praise Him, do good things, and share with others. When we do these things, we are pleasing God. Knowing what God loves helps us want to please Him even more.

Another reason we should try to please God is that He promises to bless us when we do. God loves when we talk to Him, pray, and spend time with Him. Pleasing God isn’t just about following rules; it’s about building a relationship with Him.

If you're ever wondering how to please God, here are some things you can do:

Pray: Talk to God and share what’s on your heart.
Read the Bible: God speaks to us through His Word, and reading it helps us grow closer to Him.
Worship and praise: Praise God for who He is and all that He’s done.
Help others: God is pleased when we love and serve others.
Fast and seek Him: Sometimes taking time to focus on God without distractions helps us grow spiritually.

These are just a few ways you can please God, but there are many others. Remember, God loves you and is pleased when you choose to honor Him with your life. As Psalm 147:11 (NLT) tells us, “The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, with those who hope in his unfailing love.”

Monday, December 2, 2024

Never Be Afraid to Say You Follow Christ

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it’s important to always stand strong in our faith and never be afraid to say we follow him. But what do we do if we’re in a situation where we might be tempted to deny him? Here’s an example: Imagine you’re hanging out with your friends, and someone starts talking about what they believe. Some of them might say they don’t believe in God, or they might even say something negative and offensive about following God’s way. If they ask you about your beliefs, even though you might feel pressure or a little afraid, it’s so important that you never deny that you follow Christ. They may criticize you for it, but that is okay. God is so happy when we choose to show our love for Him and stand firm in our faith.

In Matthew 10:33 (NLT), Jesus says, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” This is a serious warning to us. Jesus is saying that if we deny him, he will deny us before God. It’s a reminder that no matter what, we must be unmovable when it comes to standing for Christ.

What if you actually did deny Christ or spoke something negative about him in the past, before you accepted his love in your heart or knew about him? It doesn’t mean that you can’t go to heaven. In these cases, we can lean on God’s grace! You can always ask God for forgiveness, and He will forgive you. But it’s really important to remember that we should never do it again.

In John 15:18 (NLT), Jesus teaches us: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”Jesus went through a lot of challenges. He even faced rejection for the people he came to help, so we shouldn’t be surprised if we face the same things. It is not always going to be easy to follow Christ, and people might not always understand our commitment to our faith, but we can find comfort knowing that Jesus experienced the same things. He is always with us, and he makes us strong.

So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where people are questioning your faith or trying to make you feel uncomfortable for believing in Christ, always remember to stand strong. Never be afraid to say you follow Christ, no matter what others say.

A Heart for Christ