Convenient Christianity | Devotions From The Bible

Convenient Christianity

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For over ten years, I have been e-mailing 2,000+ people a daily devotion I have written.  About a year ago, I suddenly lost the ability to reach over 165+ countries with sound biblical doctrine because of a large technology company’s decision.

At first, I was furious that the company caused that part of my ministry to halt.  I, of course,  prayed.  Soon, I came to an understanding that perhaps it was not a bad thing.  I could have fought it and gone to another company, but I realized in these times, it could easily happen again.

I realized that seeking the truths from God’s Word should not always be “easy,” as perhaps my e-mails made it for some.  If one pursues what He has preserved for them, it would matter more to that person and build a stronger Christian if one made an effort to get spiritually fed himself. 

Christianity has been made readily available to many, but what caliber of Christian has it produced? When I e-mailed the devotion to people, how many read it, and how many lives did it change?

Because Christianity has been made “easy,” many no longer go to church because they can watch it on television. Others do not concentrate and read the Bible but listen to a Christian broadcast while doing something else.  What so many call a “devotion” is a reference to a Bible verse they are supposed to look up and a short, cute story.  That spiritual snack will do little in building a stronger Christian.

Very few feed themselves with the only things that will open their eyes and change their lives.  Those efforts should be to read and study God’s Word and talk to its Originator in prayer.

One gets out of what one puts into most things in life.  This applies to getting an education, career, and most areas.  Having a close walk with the Lord is also no different.  God is watching the efforts we make to hear His truths, to obey Him, and He reads our heart’s desires to know if we want to have a close relationship with Him.

Christianity today has, for many, been made too convenient and has produced fewer strong, faithful, obedient believers.  Many will not pay the cost to witness to their neighbors or those they encounter because it may cost them embarrassment.  Their lack of desiring to be what God wants them to be, not attempting to seek what God has for them, and not separating from what God warns them to avoid will never produce a strong Christian. The only way any Christian grows is if they pay the cost of seeking God’s truths and obeying them.  That price tag includes desire, effort, and sacrifice, no matter what it takes to be close to God and be used by Him.

In the past, I have heard of one man who walked through the African jungle over 1,000 miles through swamps, dangers, and treacherous jungles to listen to a man read from the Word of God. The journey took several months.  It was important to him, so he was willing to pay the price to know God and what He desired of the man.

In John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, one will read of those who sacrificed their possessions, relationships, and even their lives rather than deny Christ or stop reading His Word.  God’s truths were important to them. They did whatever it took to hear His Word and obey His commandments.

Today, many Christians in Islamic countries are being slaughtered and tortured, but the believers would not recant their faith.  They were willing to pay the price to be close to God with their life!  No matter what happened to them, they made an effort because it was of great value to them.

Instead of making reading God’s Word easy and convenient, if people want to learn what God has for them, I urge them to get into their car and drive to every church service they can.  If they want to know God’s will and way for them, they need to pay the cost of reading His Word for themselves and laboring over sincere prayers.

My devotions are still available on www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and www.OpenThouMineEyes.com to provide supplemental teaching of God’s Word.  However, I urge you to be willing to pay the cost (my material is always free financially) and make a consistant effort to delve in and study God’s Word yourself. 

“The best truths are gotten by digging deep for them.”  — D. L. Moody