It's Easy to Leave God, but Hard to Get Back to Him.

On our way to church a couple of Sundays ago, my dad said something that stuck with me. He said the words, "It's easy to leave God, but it's a lot harder to get back to Him." I thought about this, and I have found this to be true in my own life. There are many times that I fail God, and it seems to become harder every time that I sin against God to get back to the place I was before with Him. For a while, I'll do everything that I can for God, but then, I'll slowly make my way back to not praying and reading my Bible as much as I should. During the times that I serve God, I am at my happiest, but once I sway away from God, that happiness fades, and it becomes harder to worship God the way that I would like to.

Of course, we can repent for our sins, but that's not all we have to do to get back to where God wants us. We have to pray, pray, and pray to get back in the Lord's will. We have to read our Bibles and live right to get back where we were before. It's well worth the efforts, but it's much easier to continue on our path and not waver.


Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear."

When we let our sin get in-between us and God, God isn't going to hear us when we pray like He would if we are doing His will. For example, if you and your best friend are fighting. Say, your friend throws your phone down and stomps on it. Are you going to be okay with that, or is it going to take an apology and time to forgive? That friend is going to have to keep trying and trying to repair the relationship. The same is with God. When we sin, it hurts God, and although he is forgiving, it still takes repentance and efforts to repair that part of the relationship with God. It's not going to be instant, it's going to take time. We have to build back up to the relationship that we had with God, which can be harder than it sounds.

Psalms Chapter 1

"1. Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

When we walk for God, and put our sin in the past, we will be blessed for that. It is impossible to fully live for God if we still have sin in our lives. For example, I used to love to wear denim shorts that were much shorter than I should have been wearing. That was a problem for me in my spiritual walk with God. I still long to go back to the way that I lived before I began living for God sometimes because my flesh longs for that kind of life.

Having the strength to fight the sinful urges of the world is so important to God. When He sees our efforts to live for Him, we will be blessed for it. If we continuously make decisions in our lives that abide by God's law, that is when we are going to be at our happiness. Sure, sin can bring about happiness, but it's only temporary, and will only lead to a dark path. The effort to live for God is well worth it, for God is the greatest friend that we could ever know, and losing Him would be the worst thing that could ever happen to us.

Beware of Cavities

Our teeth are something that needs to be taken care of every single day. They need to be flossed and brushed, and mouth wash can be used to add even further care. If teeth are taken care of as they should, they can work against cavities, and they can be built up to be very strong. 

On the other hand, if our teeth are not taken care of every day, they can develop cavities, and other serious damage. After this damage has been done, toothpaste, floss, and mouth wash is not able to fix that damage. At that point, teeth may have to be pulled, or a dentist will need to drill the cavity out of the tooth. 

Our relationship with God is the exact same concept. If we daily care for our relationship with God; praying, reading our Bible, witnessing for Him, etc. the connection we have with God will grow to be very strong. 

Contrary to living for God, if we don't care for our relationship with God daily, and we keep sin in our lives, cavities will be created, or in this sense, damage to our spiritual life. After the damage of sin has been done, reading our Bibles, or witnessing will not be able to change what has been done in the past, and it surely won't take it away. At that point, the dentist, our Heavenly Father has to step in, and we have to repent of our sins. Repentance is the only thing that will take the sins away. 

Unfortunately, while on this Earth, sin will not be forgotten. God will forgive, but until we die, we have to live with what sins we commit while in the world, which is why it is so important to stay away from sin. Even though it may be forgiven, sin has the possibility to follow us the rest of our days. Sin has the power to permanently damage our lives, and it can be out of our control, much like our teeth that can't be fixed once they are gone. 

Having sin in our lives brings more problems than luxuries. It may not be instant damage, but be sure that sin will have its consequences at one point or another. Sin builds up until it turns into something much worse. Don't let sin damage your life, take care of your sin from the start, and let God cleanse you. 

Workout With God

Feeling weak in God? Try these simple workouts to get that relationship with God that you've always dreamed of! 

1) Run a Mile in God's shoes: 

1 Corinthians 11:1: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ."

Put yourself in God's shoes. Try and intimidate His kindness and love. His greatness can never be reached, but we can try our best to show the world the work God has done in our own lives. 

2) Lift Bible Dumbbells: 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Bible was given to us for a guide for our lives. Work out your mind and absorb the knowledge that God has given us. The Bible will give you strength to spread His word, and have hope for a better future.

3) Crunch Away Sin: 

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Confess your sins to God, and rid them from your life. Without all that weight, you can become stronger in God, and go a longer distance for God. 

4) Prayer Planks: 

Philippians 4:6 - "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Find a place where you can fully concentrate on God, and pray. Pray that God will help you be a light to the world. Pray that He will give you the strength to stand up for God, and show Him your gratitude for doing all He does. 

5) Partner Medicine Ball Throw: 

Galatians 6:2 - "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Grab a partner, and help carry their burden. We all need help in life, which is why God puts other Christians in our lives. Lend a helping hand to fellow Christians, and let's cross the finish line together.

When is the Right Time to Pray?

When does God say to pray?

God says to pray when we are TROUBLED: Psalms 34:17 - "[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."

God says to pray when we are in NEED OF WISDOM: James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

God says to pray when we are HAPPY: Psalms 37:4 - "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

God says to pray when we are BURDENED: Psalms 55:22 - "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

God says to pray when we are ANGRY: Ecclesiastes 7:9 - "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

God says to pray WHEN OTHERS NEED PRAYER: James 5:16 - "Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

God says to pray in time of LOSS: Matthew 5:4 - "Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

God says to pray ALWAYS: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

There are so many instances in the Bible that God tells us to pray. He tells us to pray through the good times and the bad times, and every time in-between. I think that a lot of Christians, including myself have become so accustomed to only praying when it is convenient or if we need something from God, that we don't consider that we need to be praying the rest of the times too. I've found that God answers prayers when I'm faithfully praying everyday for something. If you were to have a baby, would you only take care of it when it was hungry or needed a diaper change? Of course not. You would take care of it always. Prayer needs to be taken care of in the same way. Prayers are answered when they are honored and attended to. Show God you are faithful to your prayer, and God will give you an answer. 

Before Meeting Your Helpmeet

One definition of a help-meet can be, "a helpful companion or partner, especially one's husband or wife." In the sense of marriage, a help-meet is someone that loves another person, and wants to be with them for the rest of their lives, through thick and thin, to help and comfort them through every step of life. In a Godly relationship, marriage is much different than the normal, everyday marriage. A Godly marriage has God at the center of the marriage. Not only do the two people have to worry about taking care of one another, but they must also make sure that they are living for God, and encouraging each other in their walk with God. Of course, a Godly marriage may take more work because they are following more rules, but having God at the center of one's marriage will be what keeps the two people together, and will continue their love throughout their lives.

Preparing for this type of relationship is very important because a relationship begins before even meeting the other person. You can touch the other person's life without even knowing them, and you can get yourself ready to be a better spouse as well. Here are 5 ways to prepare yourself for this meeting:

1) Love Yourself: Ephesians 2:10- "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

God made us exactly how he wants us to be; even the quirks and imperfections, and they should be honored because they are from God. If we don't love those things about ourselves, how do we expect someone else to love them? By having different qualities that others might not possess, we are special to the world, and someone will adore the qualities that God gives us. 

2) Seek God: Psalms 119:10- "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."

God blesses when we are following Him and His word. If we are to honor Him, He will honor us, and give us a Godly spouse. A strong relationship with God will lead to a great, loving relationship with the right person, because God will be the at the center of it.

3) Pray: Philippians 4:6,7- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Finding the person that we will spend the rest of our lives with is one of the biggest decisions that we will ever make, therefore, we need to pray a lot about it. We need to pray that God will lead us and direct us to the person, and that we will be a Godly spouse to whoever it may be. Also, we need to pray dearly for the person we are supposed to be with. It is important to pray about the other person's life and walk with God because this is the person that we will raise a family with, and it's important to know God is the center of their life. 

4) Trust: Proverbs 3:5- "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Waiting for something so important takes a lot of patience and trust. We must trust that God knows exactly what He's doing, which He does. It's important to have faith in God because He knows what's best for us, while we would mess everything up if we were in control. 

5) Be Pure: Hebrews 13:4- "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

In any Godly relationship, it is super important that purity is a key element. Before marriage, two people that are in a relationship with one another should enter into marriage being pure because this is how God wants it to be. Refraining from immoral behavior will only make the relationship stronger because they are using their strength to wait until marriage, and they are telling one another that they consider each other worthy of waiting for, even before meeting the person they will marry. Waiting for the one, special person to marry, and then being able to act how married couples should, tells the other person that they honor them and God enough to wait. 

Praying For The Wrong Things.

James 4:3- "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

So many times in my life, I find myself praying for the wrong things. Things that I know are against God, but yet, I still pray for them out of my own stupidity. No joke, I prayed for the longest time that God would let me marry a famous boy band member. I mean, how crazy I must have been! This specific guy has no relationship with God, he drinks, smokes, curses, and parties. I have no idea why I would want a guy like that in my life, but I thought that he might change if I pray hard enough. Though, the truth is, this boy has to decide to let God change him, and its God's choice whether He wanted me to be with this celebrity or not. 

Praying for the right things is a key determiner in staying on God's path. When we pray for the wrong things, we are asking God to do evil. God is not of evil; He is only goodness, and He is looking out for us. He wants us to be happy, which is why He doesn't let us choose our path for our lives. I mean, just imagine if God would've answered my prayer to be with a boy band member; there is no possible way that I could have kept a good relationship with God while dating someone in so much sin. God knows what is best for us, and He will provide us with whatever that is, but on His time and way. 

Instead of asking God for what we want, we should be praying that God would do what He wants in our life. We have no possible way of knowing what God has in store for us, so maybe it's best to throw our arms up and admit that we have no idea what to pray for. It is better to not pray for specific things, than to pray for the wrong things. God will take care of everything, afterall, He already knows what our future looks like 20 years from now. With God in control of our future, we have nothing to fear, so let Him work; a bright future is ahead.

Reigniting Your Fire For God

So, how do we reignite our fire for God? 

1) Give up all the sin in your life: (James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"). As long as we have sin in our lives, our relationship with God will be at a standstill. God can't cohabit in our hearts with sin. If God and the devil were to live together in our hearts, could you imagine the strife and disastrous end that would be? God isn't able to use a sinful person to be the light that the world needs because a sinful person is only going to multiply the darkness. He is only able to use to use those that follow Him. God needs Christians that will show the mercy of God to the world, not one that will join the sinners. If we are to confess our sins, God will do wondrous acts in our lives, and will use us to help a dying world. All we have to do is ask. (1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"). 

2) Don't just read your Bible, study it: I spent years solely reading my Bible, and it being just words on a page for me. Having gone to church my entire life, it embarrassed me that I hardly knew anything about the Bible, even children's stories. When I began studying God's word though, it really blessed my heart because God opened my heart up to more knowledge of the Bible. I was learning more about the Bible than I had ever known because God was opening my heart up to things I couldn't see when I was just reading words. When God sees that we are trying to learn His word, He will give us understanding of the Bible. (Ecclesiastes 2:26: “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness"). When we have wisdom and knowledge of the Bible, this is when we can witness to the world, and tell them of God's wondrous works. 

3) Memorize knowledge of the Bible: This goes along with studying the Bible, but I have found that since I started memorizing verses and stories of the Bible, I have been finding so much joy in my life. I am finally able to have discussions of the Bible with other people, and share what I have learned. Like in Ephesians 6, I was so happy when I memorized the armor of God because I had never been able to discuss something so in depth from the Bible. Also, it might sound crazy, since I grew up in church my whole life, but I had never learned all the books of the Bible. I began listening to a children's song, and I'm still working on memorizing them completely, but I found such joy from knowing at least half of them. The knowledge that comes from God's word is holy, and will protect us. We can use His word to lead others to Christ, and bring light into a dim world. (Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee").

4) Pray: (1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing"). What a simple statement, but powerful message. God created prayer, so that we may confess our sins, give our burdens to God, and ask God for help in times of need. It is something that is solely between the person and God, which makes it so powerful. God is able to take away our sins and cleanse of to be white as snow. He is able to answer our prayers, and make us worry free. There is not one person in the world that wouldn't love to have that in their life. All a person must do is talk to God. He will listen. (Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak"). Prayer with God will keep us out of sin. He will instill in us the power to stay away from fleshly desires if we ask Him. Prayer is a powerful thing, and a key action in our walk with God. 

5) Find Godly Friends: (1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners"). God wants us to surround ourselves with people of God, so that we do not sway from our walk with God. If we have people of sin in our lives, the only way that they will lead us is down. It's impossible to keep a close relationship with God, while we are dabbing around with sin. With Godly friends, a person can overcome any problem in their life. They will have someone to pray with, study with, comfort one another, and encourage each other in their Christian lives. 

6) Find a place of worship and fellowship: Last, but not least, it is important that we have a place to escape the world. Finding a church filled with the people of God and the joy of God is a very key element in bettering your relationship with God. (Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"). God states that when people gather together to praise His name, He will be there with them. It is important to worship God for what He has done for us. He will bless us for it. God honors people that are willing to stand in front of a crowd of people for His glory. Church also is a great place to find Godly friends and influences. We should look to the people of God as examples of who we should be. For example, we can try to be more like our pastor, a Sunday school teacher, our choir director, or simply a Godly man or woman that is trying to live for Christ. A Godly church will provide us with friendships, knowledge, and help, leading us closer to our God. (Psalms 122:1-9 "(A Song of degrees of David.) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD").