Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.–Philippians 4:6   I’ve got an idea that the most commonly confessed sin is worry. Few people have the audicity to say that they never worry. But although we readily confess it, we seldom repent of it. Why ? Maybe it’s because we fail to realize what great harm it does. We seem to believe it is a harmless sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth.   Someone defined worry as “a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” James describes the danger like this–“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”(James 1:8). The worrier is like the mule that starved to death while standing between two stacks of hay, because he couldn’t make up his mind which one to eat out of.   The fact of the matter is that worry affects us in every way: emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually. Worry can be deadly. When the Bible says,”Be careful for nothing” we ought to take it as a serious warning. God is looking out for our welfare! Heed His warnings, obey His commands,and claim His promises. A child of God in the will of God has nothing to worry about. When trouble come, go to God in prayer. When your burden is heavy cast “all your care upon him” and leave it there.   Mike Singletary was one of the greatest football players ever. Mike grew up in the ghetto of Houston. He was one of ten children and times were tough, especially after his father abandoned the family. Six months later, the oldest child was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Everyone wondered how Mike’s mother could ever support such a large family by herself. How could a poor single mother possibly provide for so many children? Mike answered that question when he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame”. He said,”She responded the only way true champions respond: on the knees”. Dear friend, that’s the only way any of us can make it!

Flee also youthful lust: but follow after righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.–2 Timothy 2:22

Why is it that some Christians succeed, while others who make a profession of faith miserably fail? Why is it that some seem to run the race of life and cross the finish line with flying colors, while others just collapse in a heap? It is because of choices-choices that we make each and every day. We make our choices, and our choices make us. And life is filled with choices.

From the moment you get up in the morning until the moment you lay your head on your pillow, you will have made hundreds-maybe even thousands-of choices. Some are simple choices that don’t mean a lot, and others are choices that mean a great deal. It comes down to this: If you want to grow spiritually, you will. And if you don’t want to grow spiritually, you won’t. It is not the luck of the draw or something that only happens randomly; it is making the right choice to do the right thing.

We either will go forward as Christians, or we will go backward. We either will progress, or we will regress. We either will gain ground, or we will lose ground. And if we stand still, we will lose ground. So this is the kind of commitment where we should be seeking, on a daily basis, to grow spiritually, to progress, and to learn-and not just hold our own.

We all need to commit ourselves to growing spiritually, because there are things that impair our spiritual growth, and there are things that help it. We want to live lives that will honor God and stay away from the things that will drag us down spiritually. Because spiritual growth is based on doing what is good-and not doing what is bad. (Greg Laurie)

Then they gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly….
Acts 2:41-42.

Churches in many parts of the world are flourishing, but in parts of Europe and North America, the going is a little tougher. A recent survey of 2,527 congregations in America found that less than half reported growth of two percent or more in the past five years. Only 35 percent said they were spiritually vital and alive. Only 19 percent reported excellent financial health.1

Since the church is simply the collection of Christians like us, it is important for each of us to grow, to witness, to stay vital and alive, and to support our churches financially. Our congregations are simply a reflection of the believers who comprise them.

Spiritual growth requires us to sink our roots into a local church. We aren’t consumers who go to church for entertainment; we’re worshippers and workers who go to grow, and who grow to serve. The early Church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

Stay rooted in church, and root for your congregation.

We must prepare the soil before God will send the rain. It is true that God gives the increase, but we have to do some farming.                                                                              –From Turning Point
Vance Havner

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.–John 13:34

A missionary was sick. He had to come home for treatment. He asked a little girl, “What shall I send you?”

“Somebody to love me,” she sobbed.

That’s the cry at home and abroad.

Let’s love others selflessly. Not for what they can give us, but for what we can give them.

Let’s love others sacrificially. Not to be served, but to serve. Not to be blessed, but to bless.

Let’s love others sympathetically. Feeling their burden, and bearing it. Sensing their need, and supplying it. Sharing their sorrow, and strengthening them.

Our Lord did, and He said, “Love one another; as I have loved you.”

Prayer: O Thou God of love,—-love others through me. Help me to speak love, to show love, to give love, and to live love: this I pray in the name of the One who loved me and died for me. Amen. —By Dr. Michael Guido

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.–Psalm 119:11

When we talk about what is most important we better be careful. All too often we get things out of their proper order. However when I say that nothing is more important to the Christian than the Word of God, I do so without reservation. It is impossible for us to live as God desires if we neglect His Word. We must know it and obey it. Sadly many folks don’t seem to care. They go day after day without ever reading it. It’s no wonder that they fail to grow spiritually, resist temptation, cope with difficulties, etc. They are spiritually malnourished.

I can’t understand how a Christian could not love the Word of God. It is food for the soul, light for our path, a map to guide us, and a weapon against our enemy. It provides information, insight, and inspiration. We need that whether we think so or not. However, as great as the Bible is, it does you no good setting on a shelf gathering dust.

It would be good if every believer would study the Bible as does a teacher who is preparing a lesson or a pastor who studies in preparation for a sermon. The problem is that many do not see it as the treasure it is. That is a dangerous thing. Thomas Guthrie wrote, “If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any persons better than Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven – take alarm.”

A. W. Tozer gave us this wise advice: “Read it much, read it often, brood over it, think over it, meditate over it-meditate on the Word of God day and night. When you awake at night, think of a helpful verse. When you get up in the morning, no matter how you feel, think of a verse and make the Word of God the important element in your day. The Holy Ghost wrote the Word, and if you make much of the Word, he will make much of you. It is through the Word that He reveals Himself. Between those covers is a living Book. God wrote it and it is still vital and effective and alive. God is in this Book, the Holy Ghost is in this Book, and if you want to find Him, go into this Book.“