••••••• INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS •••••••

Remember when going to school and learning was all about reading, writing, and arithmetic? You don’t? Well, to be honest I can’t either. Now school days are filled with so much more, or is it less?

CSAP training for tests, socialization skills, bullying identification, respect classes, assemblies and the list goes on. These are some of the classes included in student’s schedules today. While test scores are improving in my local school district, I wonder if it is because students are smarter or are they being schooled to pass the test?

Let’s consider if any of us are living in such a manner to pass the Master’s test, or are we truly living as children of God? First, how do we live to pass the Master’s test? By knowing the answers we can skate through life without following the example of Christ. Any child that has been to church knows the answer to questions asked at church must include Jesus, or God, or the church.

Do you have just enough “religion” to pass the test? Or do you long for a deeper faith, a closer walk with Christ or more in your relationship with God? Let me suggest that you go back to school. Not elementary, middle, or high school, but the school of Christ. Ask most students and their favorite classes are school lunch and recess. Yet, it’s in the classroom that the learning often takes place.

So, we begin with reading the Word of God. The Bible is the greatest book ever written. What variety too. Read about history, war and peace, romance, poetry, logic, parables, and religious law. It’s been the number one bestseller every year since someone started keeping track of stats like that. Plus, there is so much available to read about the Bible. Most of us have books at home that we bought to read or someone gave to us believing that we would gain from reading them that still remain unread. I cheat at reading by listening to books and sermons on the radio or via CD or internet. Whatever gets you into reading, just do it. Be sure to have a plan, a daily reading plan!

Writing comes next. We all can improve our writing skills. Start by writing a letter to God. This might be a letter of confession or a love letter or a commitment to follow God more closely. Then, write to others including cards of encouragement, email responses—especially to those friends who send all the emails that “someone loves you” and if you return this email in the next 10 seconds they know that you love them too—and letters that you have put off too long. Also, write to yourself by journaling and by taking notes in Bible study and from sermons. No greater compliment is given to a speaker than to see participants in worship writing down the keys to unlock the scripture.

Next is arithmetic, so I can hear you saying, “What does arithmetic have to do with my walk with the Lord?” Well, I will let you do the math. Are you current in your giving to the Lord? First thing that comes to my mind is money. Have I been faithful in giving to the Lord? Rejoice if you have. Pray and give thanks to the Lord that you have returned to God that which is God’s! Otherwise, stop stealing from God and make good on your promise.

Second, what about your time? Are you sharing in the work of the Lord by offing your time in Bible study, prayer, and worship? Time is a liquid resource that easily escapes our presence. Start today by giving your offing of time, talent (spiritual gifts), and tithe to the Kingdom of God. This form of worship helps in “paying it forward” to the right account.

Rev. James Conley Pastor First Baptist Church Delta, CO

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