Thee Most Important Thing to Protect In Your Life

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Yesterday, I talked with you about a thief called familiarity. "Don't Let These Blessings be Stolen From You!"  Familiarity is the taking for granted and the diminishing appreciation of blessings that God has delivered to your life. What is it that was once a great blessing to you that you have now taken for granted? There are some things in life that we simply must not let familiarity touch. That is most true in priority relationships—spouse, children, great friendships, etc. What is our most important relationship that we must protect from the curse of familiarity? Can you figure that out?  

Familiarity unchecked leads to what can become days, weeks, months, or even years of not appreciating someone or something we should value and appreciate. We should because, what is valuable and precious was given to us by God to bless our life! James 1:17 (NIV) says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Losing appreciation is losing value, and what you no longer value will lose its place to bless your life! That is why its a blessing thief! In the beginning, you greatly appreciate what God has given you—even if you don't appreciate it was from Him! But, because you've stopped appreciating it, you've let what should be special and appreciated in your heart, become mundane. When that happens to your relationship with God, it’s critical to confront it and make changes! Loving, worshipping, and seeking God—putting God first and giving Him first place in the beginning of your day, tops the list!

How can our life with God possibly become familiar and mundane? Life is busy. In the effort to get a little extra sleep, many wake up last-minute and are suddenly in a fast-moving scramble. Get up and get ready. Get everyone else going. Eat and get yourself and everyone else out the door. Whatever your scenario is, it happens. Suddenly, reading the Bible, or at least reading a devotional about His Word and spending time with God in pray falls on the back burner. We feel demands on our time all day long and when we get a break, we just want some time to ourself. God has been put on the back burner and because of familiarity, this is repeated and becomes a regular occurrence. Not only is God not first place, but He's been relegated to slivers of time where we squeeze Him in. How would you feel if the appreciation your spouse, children or boss showed you was that low?

The majority of surveyed Christians have reluctantly admitted that they rush into their day without spending time in the Word of God or in prayer. They also admit that they spend large amounts of time on the Internet or social media, reading the newspaper, watching television, or in other daily activities.  

To put it honestly, thinking we can go through our day without God's guidance and instruction in our life is either pride or familiarity at it's worst! And, it is a blessing robber, I promise you! Familiarity causes you to lose sight of what is precious and valuable, and that turns off the spigot of blessing one way or another.
Don't take this as a scolding. Take this as a prompting of the Holy Spirit as a loving wake-up call!

Make the decision to make some changes. Get up and get going earlier to spend time with God.
When you let the Holy Spirit re-establish your priorities and spend time with Him through His word and prayer, God will reward you with a powerful and refreshed Christian walk. You’ll drive a stake in the heart of familiarity and instead talk and walk with Him everywhere you go. Your appreciation and time with the Lord will bless you. He will show you secret things that only His children get to know and experience. And it will cause you to hear His voice, receive His direction, and open the spigot of blessing to flow in your life.

Psalm 25:14 (NKJV) "The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant."

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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