Do you need a realignment?

Every so often our cars need to have their tires aligned. This need can come from a something specific (such as hitting a pothole or a curb, getting in an accident, etc.) or it can just come from natural uneven wear on the tires. Either way, the result is that your car "drifts" or "pulls," it no longer just goes straight.

This can happen in our spiritual life. Whether its something specific or you've just put in a lot of miles in with your walk, we can sometimes get off track. It's not that we're heading in the wrong direction, we're just "drifting."

So what do we do? If you've ever heard me speak, I almost always talk about the "fundamentals of the Christian faith." That's becasue I think they are so important. The little things are what keep you on track. To switch analogies, remember that the fundamentals in any sport are what allow you to to be successful in that sport.

My point is, when is the last time you have had a spiritual alignment? The last time that you got some things tweeked to make sure you're going straight.

I'll give you an example from my life. Remember, for you it can be anything. For me it was staying focused on the end. Let's go back a couple of weeks. I was still walking with God, reading my Bible praying, etc., but something was off. I couldn't figure out what, but I was "drifting" against my will. So I headed to the "shop." That is, I fasted for a day last week and asked God for a spiritual realignment. Well today I got the answer. I had lost focus of the end. I wasn't living expecting Christ to return at any moment. I asked for forgiveness and God quickly got me back on the road, going a little bit straighter than before.

So what is it for you? Are you heading straight, or do you need a spiritual alignment like I did? Ask God, I'm sure He will show you with time.

Can God really forgive ME?

Can God really forgive me?

"You don't know what I've done. I've done some things that you can't even imagine. I know He's real and that He does forgive some people, but not me; I've made some mistakes that I have to live with for the rest of my life. I regret it, but it's too late now."

Does that sound familiar?

Or how about this:

"I'm stuck in this sin. I just cannot stop. I really don't think God can forgive me again."

These are legitimate questions, and I think more of us have struggled with them at some point or another than we would like to admit. I know I have.

Whether God's forgiveness is a struggle that is keeping you from a relationship with Him, or you've had a relationship with Him and are worried He's just going to give up on you, don't worry; there is hope. Just stick with me for a second.

It's hard knowing that Jesus died for our sin. I feel guilty about it, I mean, it is my fault. I think the popular song has it right when it says, "it was our sin that held Him there." But here's the thing, He knew what He was doing. John 10:17-18 explains that He freely chose to lay down His life for us. He knew what He was getting Himself into and yet He did it anyway! That's how much He loves us. He let us kill Him. If He can forgive us for that, He can forgive us for anything.


So instead of doubting Him, thank Him.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

A prayer

God, please teach me how to pray. Spirit, may you guide my words; You know what's best for me. Selah.

God I want more of you in my life. I ask for more of you. Please take control. I surrender my will; Holy Spirit please come fill me, saturate me. I want more of You. May Your presence rain down on me and may You reign in me. You are all I want, You're all I need, please be my everything.

May I be still and listen to You God. Please speak clearly to me. My heart's desire is to know and love You. Father, please pour out your mercy and grace on me. Oh, Lord revive my soul. I long to hear Your voice. Your presence is all I need. May Your work be done in me and trough me. May everything I do bring glory to Your name. You deserve all glory and honor King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Emmanuel, God with us; may You take center stage of my life. May You be first, then others, and finally me.

Father, may I be producing good fruit. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in my life. May I exemplify supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May I live and walk by the Spirit. May I walk hand in hand and step in step with You. Not a step ahead, nor a step behind, but following You as You lead and direct.

Father forgive me for my filthiness. I desire to live for You. Please give me self-control that could only be from You. Lord, please use me as an instrument of Your love. May Your grace and love flow through me, may I be overflowing with Your presence. Lord renew me and transform me. I desire to see a revival breakout. God change our hearts, may we come back to You. May we be a people longing to see Your will done. May we be a generation that brings you glory. May we exalt you above all else! Be lifted high Emmanuel. Father we desire for heaven to invade Earth. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

God help me to see things that way you do. Open up my eyes Lord. Give me the capacity to love as you do, sacrificially and truly. Please break my heart for what breaks Yours. May I be a living sacrifice unto Your name. May You be glorified above all else. Lord please reign in me. God I ask for Your power in my life. Supernatural power. Power that can't be accredited to me because of it's clearly and wholly of You. I ask for an outpowering of Your Spirit to accomplish your purposes, not to fulfil my agenda. God erase my agenda and lead me in Yours. You are all I want, God You're all I need. Please satisfy me oh Lord, the author of my salvation. The rock of my life. Continue your work in me until it is complete. Guide my path and direct my steps. May I be in constant communion with You. God invade my life, invade this place oh Lord. Fill me with Your presence. Cleanse me and purify me oh Lord. Wash me white as snow. Forgive me of my sins. Father thank you for all that you do for me. Thank you for your love. May you receive all the glory, honor and power. It is in your sons name, the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that I pray these things.

Amen.