Running on Empty

Routine maintenance. Lots of things require it. Cars, skateboards, computers, backyard gardens, teeth, our spiritual lives - That's right, our spiritual lives need regular maintenance as well. But our faith just can't be put off. We have a responsibility to refuel daily. If we don't, we run the risk of serious attck from Satan.

Most of us have heard the same old story - A friend becomes a Christian at youth camp, then, within a week, they're back in their old lifestyle - as if nothing happened. This kind of person believes that if she/he acceptsJesusasmypersonalLordandSavior, his ticket has been paid. Next stop eternity!

It's true that if a person's commitment is sincere, Jesus is faithful to come in, cleanse them, and change their life. But what some people forget is the responsibility each Christian has to grow their faith.

This means:

Acting on the messages we hear in church... James 1:22-25 MSG

Living daily by God's awesome power... Ephesians 1:17-23 MSG

Allowing God to help us fight off the old, sinful nature and build a new, spiritally buff body, one that's in the image of Christ... Philipians 3:17-21 MSG

FUEL UP

Those who don't make the effort to grow in the Lord usually want eternal life; they just don't want to give anything in return. They operate on their own fuel, not God's - and eventually conk out. "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:6)

But check out the rewards of fueling up daily: "if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:7-8)

God has all the joy, love, hope and peace we need to face life. But He won't give it to us if we don't spend time listening and talking with Him. Turning our lives around is God's responsibility. Making time for Him is ours.

Credit goes to Micheal Ross, Jeff Edmondson, and Breakaway Magazine