HAVE YOU BEEN IGNORING THE LORD AND HIS WILL FOR YOU?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do 
and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. 
(James 4:17)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever felt ignored? 
Everyone longs for love, acceptance, and attention, but perhaps a friend 
or close relative has shown little interest in you, or what you have to say. 
Such treatment is hurtful and can lead to feelings of inadequacy.

However, there is something even worse than a lack of concern for others.
It is when we disregard God. 
Yet all of us have been guilty of this at times. 
One way we disregard Him is by failing to obey His instructions. 

For example, if we are feeling cornered or pressured, 
we can are often tempted to justify what we call a ‘white lie’. 
We try to categorize it as a minor offense 
but as soon as the lie has left our lips, we’ve ignored our Heavenly Father.

We also disregard the Lord when we sense His leading but we fail to follow, 
because it takes us out of our comfort zone and makes us feel inadequate. 
Unless we discipline ourselves to spend time 
with our Father (in His Word, and in prayer), we are neglecting Him.

The Lord desires a closeness with each of His followers and it grieves Him 
whenever we choose to disregard Him as being important to us, and our life. 
If we are honest as believers, none of us want to grieve our Heavenly Father.

Connecting with the Lord is like being ‘plugged into’ the source of life, 
so ignoring Him can mean missing out on His best for us.  
We also miss out on 
fulfilling the purpose for which He created us - glorifying Him. 

And never forget, 
we eventually will be held accountable for our actions or inactions.
Look at what Paul said to the Christians in Corinth.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body 
or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

ACTION:
How are you choosing to live?
Do you heed what your Heavenly Father says, 
or are you living with our own set of standards? 
Your conscious choices affect your walk with Jesus. 
If you tune your spirit to listen, and discipline yourself to obey, 
you can enjoy great intimacy with the Lord.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I ignore those around me, 
and forgive me for the times I have ignored You through my actions 
(or inactions). I want to enjoy the blessings of having an intimate 
relationship with You. Give me a spirit of courage and determination 
to do the things You call me to do. Help me to realize that whatever 
You want me to do, You will equip me to do. Thank You for how You 
have blessed me in so many ways and for Jesus who went to the cross 
for my sins.”

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