GETTING BACK ON TRACK!

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (Psalm 51:12) It's difficult to stay motivated when things don't seem to be going the way we want, or when something devastating happens, or when life brings major changes we didn't expect or necessarily want. It's normal to feel disconnected from life, people and even God. But, God has said, 'Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

We have so many distractions today that cause us to take our focus off of God - social media, TV, movies, etc. - we spend more time on devices than we do studying the Word of God, and most of what we're looking at is not leading us towards God, but more away from Him and towards the world's way of thinking and behaving. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. (Psalm 119:37)

I want to encourage each of us to get back on track! We may have changed for many different reasons, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) If He feels more distant than He used to, it's because we've pulled away or turned away from Him. For He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) We have to realize that once we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior by faith in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, ...in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:19-22)

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, (Hebrews 3:12-14) So, let's not turn away from God during the difficult times, but let's seek Him even more, through studying His Word daily; Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:5-11)