" DEVOTE / DEVOTION "

As believers, we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do. Now I have a question, and please think before answering, are you loyal to God only when other believers are present? We tend to follow the same cycle-remaining loyal to God as long as we are near those who are devoted to him. But when we are on our own, the pressure to be drawn away from God increases. Determine to be faithful to God despite the difficult situations you encounter. Get rid of anything that hinders your devotion to God. God is not content with our doing what is right some of the time. He wants us to do what is right all the time. We are under his orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him. We should likewise devote ourselves to prayer. It's time to ask yourself a thought provoking question. Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Now, when Paul says we should " Devote" ourselves to prayer and be " Alert " in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn't die if the answer comes slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working his will in our lives. When you feel tired of praying, but know that God is present, always listening, always answering may be not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best. Jesus says that our Christ-Like love will show we are his disciples. Do people see petty bickering, jealously, and division in your church? Or do they know you are Jesus' followers by your love for one another? Until Next Time... Jim,