Refuel

What happens when a car is running out of gas? we go to the gas station and fill it up again. Why? because otherwise the car will not work, it will not turn on and take you where you need to go.

 Cars even have a light that turns on before we run out of gas completely. It is indicating, giving us a hint, a flashing light that tells us "We need to refuel!". The same happens in our lives. We sometimes are trying to go on "empty".

What happens if we ignore that light? we will eventually run out of gas and the car will stop in the middle of no where, with no gas station for miles! If we are lucky, somebody else will drive by and stop to help us.

How many times do you wait for the car of life to finally stop running before you go to fill up your tank again? I almost always do that. I forget that I need Jesus as much as a car needs fuel (or electricity for my "green" friends) to work. Either way, it needs some sort of energy or power for it to work correctly. That to us, is Jesus. We need to seek him, spend time with him in prayer, bible reading, meditation and worship! Without him, we will be empty.

Cars also need oil, heating and cooling system, a good cleaning and good tires. That can be translated into fellowship, small group, prayer time, Sunday worship, a good sermon, counseling, bible study. If we don't seek to know more about Jesus we simply fail. If we don't know Jesus, our car will simply not work.

I know it is hard to be discipline. I can almost never get up in the morning and make devotional time a priority. There is always something distracting me...and I allow that distraction to pull me away from God. Like most people would say, "I am not a bad person", however, rejecting Jesus with my distractions, or by not making HIM my priority makes me a really bad person.  It is a daily struggle. We all forget that the car needs to have the oil changed! we go weeks without a good car wash! We are only humans. God understands that, that's why because of his mercies we are not consumed!

Nevertheless, sooner or later we will need to refuel, to wash the car or have the oil changed. We need to go back to Him, we need to have fellowship with other Christians, we need to get in the word and pray. We need to truly seek Him and worship Him. Otherwise, we will be tossed away. We will end up in a car junk yard.

So seek Him. Know Him. He is waiting for you. He wants to love you. Go refuel. The light is blinking. "Empty"

F.S.

"It's the government's fault"

Have you ever seen the movie "Faith Like Potatoes"? It is not the greatest movie - however, I strongly recommend it. It is set in Southern Africa. A Scottish man and his family were farmers there. Then he becomes a Christian. Many things happen that are very touchy but I won't tell you so that you watch the movie. However, I mention this movie because of one particular message. It is used in the movie directly from the Bible:

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chr. 7:14 (emphasis added).

Ever since I watched that movie I've had that verse in  my mind. Not that I did not know about it, but today more ever it should be a reality in our lives. In my life.
We are very quick to critizise and complain. When it is about politicians and presidents we always have something to say. Not necessarily positive. God commands us to respect our authorities:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Rom. 13:1-2

Now, most of us have no problems following the law and being a good citizen. However, It goes farther than stopping at a red light. Timothy encourages us to pray for our authorities:

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior," Tim. 2:1-3 (emphasis added)

YES! this includes that governor that you don't like. YES, it includes the president and everyone in office. YES, it includes every person holding some sort of authority in the country. We need to pray for our countries. We need to humble ourselves and pray for wisdom and humble hearts for our authorities. I titled this post "It's the government's fault" because that is what we say when we complain and critizise what they do. However, I believe that now, more than ever the phrase should say "It's OUR fault". Why? because how many times do we pray for our president? how many times do we give thanks for our brave firemen or policemen? how many times do we ask for wisdom for our congressmen? Or even pray for the guys at the DMV? (I know, they are always rude!).

You may pray for them to pass a bill that you agree with. You may pray for them to be recalled. However, that is not the prayer God is waiting for. Pray for their safety. Pray for God's wisdom in making decisions. Pray for justice to be done. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for them to seek after the country's long lasting well being, not just a momentary solution that fills their pockets with our money. Pray for real freedom. Pray for a country that glorifies God. Pray for things that matter. Things that will last. Finally, pray for God's grace and mercy and blessing to be with us.

Lets humble ourselves and pray for God to heal our land. Lets pray for our authorities.
F.S.