Drifting…

Dear beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus,

I have missed you during this past 3 1/2 months.  After I posted my Christmas message;  my computer suddenly (and quite unexpectedly) hit the skids.  The magnitude of the technical problems put her in  ICU (immediate computer unusable) mode.  Fearful of the worst; I frantically started to do all the geek-stuff I knew, but to no avail.  The situation created much anxiety for me, so I walked away.  Finally several weeks passed… I with much purpose and more knowledge got her out of ICU into SWO (simple working order).  Not quite ready for an attempt to boot her up and go online because “oops change over to Windows 7 needed”!  So, finally I have a refurbished system with  Windows 7 up and running.

The awesome, wonderful part of all this is I found myself spending more time in the Word than ever before.  I thank our amazing God for allowing me such time with Him in His Word and prayer!

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Hebrews 2:3 says “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”   the writer of Hebrews (Paul) started chapter 2 with this ” Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”  or ” run out as leaking vessels” (Scofield)

“we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Imagine a leisurely float down a winding river in a “wholly boat” not (holy).  If we choose to relax in the Christian life we are assured that the tide of our culture, the tug of our flesh and the flaming darts of the enemy will manage to pull our hearts and minds away from God’s truth.  Then we flow further down the river of unbelief and compromise.  Let me tell you something you may not like nor believe:  I personally see and hear of it happening  everyday.

The world we live in and the bodies we reside in are not neutral.  They persistently and actively work against the desires of our regenerate hearts and the righteous convictions of God’s Spirit. This is why the Bible says to “present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God” and to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).

This is an active, focused, thoughtful work to “pay close attention” to God’s truth. And it is needful because your regenerate heart is designed to be continually growing in our new life and walk with the Lord.  If we don’t actively focus daily on our growth as a blood bought child of God by searching and studying the Scriptures; and being in an attitude of continual prayer we will be swept away by the old man (our sinful nature), the seduction of the world and be an open target for the wicked one. 

Praying daily for all my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.  May you continue boldly running the race, fighting the good fight and keeping the faith.  For your edification… 1 John 5.  ♥ Streim