The Most Important Connection
Is the One You Have with God!
As we move into October I pray an infusion of awareness of the Lord’s work in each of us and in our lives. So often in the super-fast paced life of today it is easy to lose sight of God and His presence in each and every aspect of your life. Obsessions with cell phones, texting, non-stop email, computer games, and countless hours on Facebook are just a few of the technological advances that have really done little to ‘advance’ us as a people. I am not against technology but rather saddened by the diminishment of personal relationships that we have allowed through our obsession with gadgets and the need for constant wireless connection.
The internet is a wonderful tool if used well. We are called to go into all the world and bring the good news of the Gospel. Through the worldwide web you can connect with people all over the world with the message of hope and peace. I am thankfully seeing more and more postings by Christians on Facebook and other social media sites over the past few years. There are beautiful pictures with scripture references that can touch someone going through a difficult time. Use the internet wisely. Use it to edify and to encourage.
Are You Present?
The ability to connect via a cell phone is also a great tool at our disposal today if used wisely and respectfully. I was out for dinner this week and watched a young couple with a small child. The entire meal the mother was texting, oblivious to the child’s needs while the father simply gazed off into space. The little boy climbed all over the booth, tried to take down the blinds and finally crawled over into the adjacent booth to join other diners. All the while the mom continued to text. Sadly, this is not an isolated occurrence. I see this frequently when I am out.
I have seen couples sit down for a meal, never have eye contact with each other while they text or talk on their cell, eat and leave without ever connecting with the person across the table. Such behavior dishonors the person you are with and is most disrespectful. We are called to love one another which includes to respect others and their time. Look around the next time you are out. Maybe you are so enthralled with your phone that you are missing a true connection with the person or people right in front of you.
How Do You Spend Your Time?
I cannot help but think that if we cannot even fully interact with those right in front of us, how is our relationship with God who is not visibly present? Think about it. How often do you interact with the Lord? Do you fit Him in between texts or are you so busy perusing Facebook that your ‘God time’ is sparse if at all a part of your day? If you diminish your relationship with Him every other relationship in your life will suffer.
So many today cannot spend time alone with themselves let alone with the Lord. If you always have to be ‘connected’ with others or glued to your gadgets consider disconnecting for a period this week Reduce your social media time and instead spend that time taking a walk and talking to God about His plan for your life. Pray, read, do something that does not require an internet connection or a Wi-Fi link. Fill your time and focus with the things of God and see how your life will change to become most fruitful with the people you encounter.
The Server You Can Count on 24/7!
Let your wireless connection be a God connection. He is always available. His connection never crashes. If a storm knocks out your power, He is right there in the fullness of His power to come along side of you and get you through. I hear so many people say they cannot hear from God. With the frenetic noise of electronics it is easy to drown out His voice and His presence. He is here. He is speaking. Turn off your worldly connection and click on the God link. It is always working.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Jesus, John 10:27
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus, John 13:34
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus, Revelation 3:20
“You will draw people if you refuse to be contaminated by the world.” Smith Wigglesworth, Devotional, p 409
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.
God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe. Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You that You are always with us. Thank You for Your faithfulness, grace and mercy that are ever present for us. May we turn off the things of this world so we can hear Your voice. May we put away the idols of this generation so we will hear You knock. Grace us to open the door and let You in above every worldly thing. Teach us to use technology to expand Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and to take Your Gospel to all the world. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and amen.