HOW FAT ARE YOU?
I have a dear friend that I used to play racquetball with when I lived in Houston. He and I use to tease each other about putting on some pounds. One Christmas he got me a tee shirt that said, “I Beat Anorexia.” He thought it was hilarious. I had to admit, I thought it was pretty funny… and I had no appropriate comeback. He won the “weight war put-downs” with that gag gift.
Gaining weight is something we all seem to battle, especially as we get older. Obviously, God does not want us physically fat… but He does want us spiritually FAT. The question then is this: how FAT are you?
A GOOD ACRONYM
Early in my Christian life, a friend taught me the acronym F.A.T. He said God is looking for FAT disciples.
F stands for FAITHFUL – 1 Corinthians 4:2 reads, “Moreover it is required in stewards [managers] that a man be found faithful.” When I am faithful, God can trust me with assignments and responsibilities. I am not going to flake out on Him or go A.W.O.L. if the going gets tough.
Not only does it mean that God can trust me and count on me, but it also means that I trust God and count on Him. If I am faithful, I am full of faith and believe God enough to step out on His Word, regardless of the circumstances. The best way to become a person full of faith is to spend time in the Bible, reading and meditating on God’s wonderful track record of miracles and deliverance. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
A stands for AVAILABLE – The Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). God is looking for volunteers, people who will say, “I am Yours, Lord. I am ready and willing to do Your will, whatever it may be.” Are you available to the Lord like that?
Interestingly, God never looks for ability. He does not call the equipped, He equips the called. Moses told God he could not speak well… and God said, “No problem. I can give you the ability to speak” (Exodus 4:10-12). As Adrian Rogers used to say, “The best ability is simple availability.”
T stands for TEACHABLE – It is really hard for God to work in a heart that does not easily and readily receive instruction (a hard-soiled or rocky-soiled heart). I often pray, “Lord give me a heart that is good soil so that your Word can penetrate and bear fruit in me thirty, sixty and a hundredfold.” God can teach a person wonderful lessons, even through a little child, if that person is open and teachable.
God is not only looking for those open to instruction, He is looking for those open to correction. You see, if I am truly teachable, you can point out deficiencies and blind spots in my life (speak the truth in love)… and I will listen and take those comments to heart. David prayed, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it” (Psalm 141:5). If you and I truly want to grow strong in the Lord, we need people around us who will love us enough to tell us the truth and point out blind spots so that we can work on them… to the glory of God.
A PRAYER OF DETERMINATION
Would you determine in your heart to be a FAT disciple? Would you find a godly friend with whom you can give the green light to in your life so that he/she can provide “faithful wounds” and let you know where your blind spots are? Although it may hurt a little, you will be glad you did. Remember, the FATTER you become spiritually, the more God will be able to use you to make a difference in the world for Christ.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
From His Heart Ministries
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL SPONSOR:
If you were to die today are you 100% sure you would go to HEAVEN?
Yes___No___?
Please read the following if you answered No to the question above. Could you honestly say the following??
Jesus Christ, "I am just as good as you. I have never lusted in my heart; I have never lied; Never cheated; Never stolen anything; Never hated anyone; Never thought a dirty thought. Never said anything wrong; Never lost my temper. I am just as good as you are Jesus. I have never sinned.
Now, if you are truly honest with yourself, you know that somewhere, somehow you have sinned. You know that you could not compare yourself to the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ.
BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT YOU ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" ".your iniquities have separated between you and your God..."
YOU HAVE BROKEN THE LAWS OF GOD "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." "For the wages of sin is death..."
YOU ARE CONDEMNED BY GOD AT THIS MOMENT. "... he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."John 3:18b "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" "The wicked shall be turned into hell..."
BUT JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU AND DIED FOR YOU. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. "Jesus saith., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE TRUTH THE DECISION IS YOURS!
WILL YOU REPENT? "The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," Repentance is when a person admits his guilt to God, and sincerely desires in his heart to get right with God.
"...repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
WILL YOU TRUST JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR? "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again from the dead. He paid for your sins on the cross. That is why He is called the Savior. You cannot save yourself by good works; baptism, church attendance, sacraments, going to confession; giving money, praying to Mary and the saints, or trying to live a good life. In order to be saved, you must completely put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
CAN YOU AFFORD TO WAIT? The most important decision that you will make in this life will be that of either trusting or rejecting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Don't take a chance! Call on God now! You might not be alive tomorrow!
DEAR FRIEND, In your own words pray and tell God that you are guilty as a sinner, and that you now believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and that you now want to completely trust Him, and ONLY HIM as your Lord and Savior.
References used from a King James Bible -(Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 3:4; Heb 9:27; Isaiah 59:2; John 3:18b; Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 9:17a; Romans 5:8; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6;1 Tim 2:5; II Peter 3:9; Acts 3:19a; 20:21; Romans 10:13)
DAILY SMILE:
What Did the Brit Say?
Submitted by Jenmo1
What did the Brit say when he paid 2,000 pounds for his fridge?
"Goodness gracious, that costs a ton!"
BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF
Ingredients:
• ½ cup brown sugar…
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1½ pounds meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, ground veal and ground lamb, although all ground beef will work fine too)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup bread crumbs
How to make it:
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Pour the brown sugar into a 9×5 loaf pan and press it into the bottom. Spread the ketchup on top of the sugar.
3. Mix all remaining ingredients together and press into the loaf pan on top of the ketchup.
Bake for one hour. Remove from oven and pour juices into a bowl. Discard juice and let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes.
4. Invert loaf onto a platter or cutting board, slice it up and serve
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