Electric Blanket Issues

I have the worlds most ineffective electric blanket.

When it is cold, I push the button and the light comes on, but the blanket produces no heat.

So the question is, "Why do I keep pushing the button?"

Michele insists that that if you turn the control high enough, it does produce some heat.

However, I suggest that what little heat it produces is the result of 2 pugs laying around her. Those 2 little beggars kick out a lot of heat and snore like steam engines.

She thinks there is one single wire in the blanket that is still cranking out some heat.

I think that is called "wishful thinking".

So back to my original question, "Why do I keep pushing the button -- when I know it doesn't produce any heat?"

Perhaps a better question is, "How many people go through routine religious rituals knowing that it doesn't produce any heat?"

Remember the old definition of insanity? "Doing the same thing over and over and each time expecting a different result".

How long has it been since you had God answer one of your prayers?

"You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.
You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it,
so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.
Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
And even when you ask, you don’t get it
because your motives are all wrong—
you want only what will give you pleasure."
James 4:2-3

So lets stay with the prayer question. When was the last time you seriously prayed for something? Or, have you ever prayed for something and actually EXPECTED God to answer?

So is it possible that your Christianity has all the demonstrated power of my electric blanket? The light is on but it produces no heat?

So, HOW can you experience the power of God in your daily life?

#1. Make a daily habit of confessing our sin to Him.
Sin is what drives a wedge in our relationship with God, so confession removes that wedge. When we confess our sins before God, He promises to forgive us (1 John 1:9)

#2. Listen when God speaks.
It is through God's Word that you become “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So if you want to grow closer to God, ‘listen’ to God speak through it by his Spirit when you read the Bible.

#3. Speak to Him through prayer.
If reading the Bible is listening to God speak to us, speaking to God is through prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13) A helpful model to guide our prayer is the acronym ACTS, which is: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

#4. Find a body of believers where you can regularly worship.
Too often we approach church with a “what can I get out of it?” mentality. We seldom take the time to prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
(Psalm 95:1-2)

#5. A close relationship with God is built on a life of obedience.
Jesus told His disciples, “if you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:23).
James tells us, "draw near to God, He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8).

Blurred Lines

I clearly remember my U.S Army boot camp experience.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... When I was blessed with physical fitness and a full head of hair, the good Lord temporarily substituted my guardian angel with a U.S. Army drill sergeant.

My heavenly designated U.S. Army drill sergeant felt the need to explain the proper method of standing, sitting, walking, running, shaving, brushing teeth, and of course, standing in the chow line.

For whatever reason, he believed that I was hard of hearing and all instruction needed to communicated at the top of his lungs. In hindsight, he must have felt like a parent teaching a difficult child how to walk and talk. His training was effective and timeless.

Fast forward my life to a recent graveside funeral service that I officiated. The service was honored to have full military honors, complete with a bugle playing taps, 21 gun salute and the flag presentation to the grieving widow.

The Marine Corp Honor Guard showed up in their dress blues to honor their fallen brother. The Marine Corp consistently amazes me with their standard for discipline and respect. I consider it an honor to work with them.

When the bugle began to play taps, without realizing it, I cupped my hands (exactly like my drill sergeant instructed), my thumbs found the outside seam of my pants (exactly like my drill sergeant instructed), my heels were matched in a 45 degree angle (exactly like my drill sergeant instructed), and I felt my heart slow and my eyes level -- and for a brief moment, it seemed like time blurred and I was once again a warrior dressed in battle green, -- standing at attention, experiencing the fierce pride that comes from being part of a brotherhood of warriors.

During that brief moment in time, I realized that the line between who I am and what I do was blurred. The U.S. Army had transformed me from a kid with a 4 year Bible College experience into a skilled warrior.

The exact same principle reveals the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. The Holy Spirit will take us from immature believers that know very little about God or what He desires from us and transform us into mature "Saints" whose lives delight God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
      Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
      and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and make me willing to obey you.
Psalm 51:10-12

Our spiritual thought for today is,
"The Holy Spirit desires to erase the line between WHO you are and WHAT you do",
will you surrender control of your life to Him?