“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht   

“Homily Grits Devotional”   http://www.homilygrits.com/ 

Hebrews 7:19… for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  (NKJV) 

I spent the day yesterday, writing about the blessings I have been receiving from the Lord, every time I have attended both Bible studies I have been going to for the past few months…  I indicated, that I thought finding a Bible study, even if it meant going to a Bible study sponsored by a different church…was something every dedicated Christian should consider doing…

I have spoken to a few local friends about these Bible studies my church is offering, that are open to all Christians; in hope of attracting some Christian friends I really care about, into coming and checking out our 2 Bible studies for themselves… I made mention, that if someone was led to consider making a change to another church…that finding a Bible believing, Bible preaching church that preached the gospel of Christ…and who had the right church doctrine, along with offering Bible studies, and a youth group, and all the other good things that make a church a complete church body of Christ…would be an excellent place to start…

In no way am I advocating that a person leave a church they have been going to for a number of years…unless they are led by God to consider making a change…  But by the same token…If God is urging someone to make a change in churches…they should be open to responding to the Lord’s urging… We as Christians should never allow our age, or our ties to a church for a number of years, or the fact that we have many friends at a church…keep us from following God’s call in our lives…

The number one thing a Christian should be thinking about, is pleasing the Lord… Two scripture verses come to mind… Both written by the Apostle Paul…Galatians 1:10… For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.  (NKJV)   This includes pleasing ourselves, before pleasing God…

And there is this scripture the Apostle Paul penned, in…1 Thessalonians 2:4… But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.  (NKJV)

We should not allow our pride, or our stubbornness, or our routine set ways in our lives; keep us from doing what God is leading us to do…

I am so enamored with the church I am attending…that I would not be doing the right thing, if I didn’t tell all those I really care about, how important finding the right church, really is… Here is a link to yesterdays writing, that anyone thinking about changing churches, or looking for a good church, should bookmark for possible future use…  It is titled… “Dig Deeper”; suggesting all Christians look to join a Bible study somewhere…  But it also has links to my writing on…“The Right Church”…“The right church doctrine”… “Getting Plugged in”, (about making use of your Spiritual gift God has given you)…and information about the church I am presently attending…

The right church, with all the right doctrinal teaching, and an atmosphere that is brimming with the love of Christ…will indeed help the dedicated Christian “draw near to God”…  For the Lord to be pleased with His children, we should be continuously trying to grow in our spiritual wisdom, as we work out our own salvation in reverent fear of the Lord…Philippians 2:12…   

It does require total submission to God…  But the rewards that walking in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20), as a true disciple of Jesus Christ…will keep Satan in check…bring us closer to being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29)…and indeed, have God draw nearer to ourselves…James 4:7-8a… Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  (NKJV)

Heavenly Father, I pray that all of Your children can work out their own salvation in a way that will be pleasing to You…  Help all of Your children to place Your will for their lives ahead of their wants and selfish desires…  I pray for this fullness of Christ for all Christians, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

written by bruce r mills

P.S.  Here is the link to save…to be opened at God’s urging…  https://godsmanforever.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/gods-group-thoughts-for-2132013-dig-deeper/