You who have been long-time subscribers realize I've been very lax in my producing the newsletter every week for a long time. But, being busy and having many pressing matters, I let the newsletter slide by from week to week. But, something within made me want to produce the newsletter today.

Being lax on matters of life sometimes is okay.  I can let the housecleaning slide by for a time, and nobody suffers. Oh, perhaps we get a little embarrassed when unannounced company comes by, but it does nothing to us as a person. We may let our apparel suffer by not buying new clothing, but it just makes us look a little dowdy; again, it means nothing to our body.

But, when we are lax on spiritual things, we suffer the . . .

You who have been long-time subscribers realize I've been very lax in my producing the newsletter every week for a long time. But, being busy and having many pressing matters, I let the newsletter slide by from week to week. But, something within made me want to produce the newsletter today.

Being lax on matters of life sometimes is okay.  I can let the housecleaning slide by for a time, and nobody suffers. Oh, perhaps we get a little embarrassed when unannounced company comes by, but it does nothing to us as a person. We may let our apparel suffer by not buying new clothing, but it just makes us look a little dowdy; again, it means nothing to our body.

But, when we are lax on spiritual things, we suffer the consequences. Our relationship with God suffers; it is harder to reach the throne room and get a prayer through, when we don't keep a close contact with Him. Scripture tells us to 'study to show ourselves approved', (II Tim 2:15) and, without that Word within us, it is hard to live up to the expectations of Christ. Word says 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much'. (James 5:16)  But, how are we to be effectual in our prayer life, if we don't have that Word settled deeply within our heart and soul? How can we pray the Word, if the Word isn't in our heart and minds, ready to pop from our tongue, the minute we go to pray or intercede for another Christian?

Also, a lax spirit opens the door to evil and deception. The devil is very attentive in watching how we act toward the Word and God - how we live what we say we have within our lives.  He knows the minute a door is ajar, and is ready to cast his net to get the easy catch!  So, today, make sure you are studying the Word, and that you have the entire armor of God on you at all times! As I said, the devil is very attentive, and he knows the minute we get lax!

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Copyright 2006 by Barbara Sanders, Empire, AL. Used by permission.
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