Are you looking for right answers in wrong places?

People in the world are desperately looking for answers: answers to problems, answers to difficult questions, answers to pain and suffering -- everyone wants answers to life's questions. But so many people look for right answers in all the wrong places: psychics, mediums, weegie boards, star charts, spiritists, astrological signs, and other similar places. Sadly, some of the most visited sites on the Internet contain popular horoscopes.

However, God sternly warns His people not to turn to such things. In Leviticus 19:31, God tells us, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them." Only a few verses later, He again warns: "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people" (Leviticus 20:6).

The Bible instructs us not to turn to worldly things for answers. Instead, we are to turn to Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life(John 14:6). Jesus is not one of the ways; He is the way. You will get real answers to life's difficult questions only from God.

So, instead of spending $3.99 per minute looking for right answers in wrong places, turn to the all-knowing God, himself, the creator of the universe!

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Time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.

One of the most valuable things that a person could possibly have is an intimate relationship with God. That same God who is big enough and powerful enough to create the whole universe is also small enough and caring enough to desire a personal relationship with you--a relationship that will last for eternity. Of course, such an intimate friendship won't happen by chance. Your relationship with your best friend didn't come overnight, and your relationship with God is no different. It requires time.

There is a principle that can be seen both in the Bible and in the world, which basically states that you reap what you sow (see 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-8). However, you can't expect to reap a harvest on seeds you've never sown. In other words, you can't expect to know God well if you don't invest significant amounts of time and energy into the relationship.

Therefore, it is very important how you use your time. No wonder Paul, in Ephesians 5:15-16, wrote this: Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Here, Paul is encouraging us to use our time wisely--that is, to make the most of it. 

The way to make the most of your time is to invest it into something of great value that lasts forever--an intimate relationship with God. A practical tip that I have found to be true in my own life is this: Reserve a specific slot each day to spend time with God. Don't do anything else during that time; make it your time specifically for you and God. You can't use the excuse, "I'll read my Bible and spend time with God, as soon as I can find some time." You will never find time! You must maketime. Therefore, reserve time for God, remembering that time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.

It's not our circumstances that steal our joy; it's our attitude during our circumstances.

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It is easy to think "If I could just get a new car, a bigger house, a better job, or more money, then I'll be happy." We tend to view happiness as a commodity attainable by wealth. However, as the old saying goes, "money cannot buy happiness."  Indeed, no amount of money or things will ever give you lasting joy or contentment; that's because joy and contentment are not based on circumstances. Therefore, if you're not content with what you have, you won't be content with what you want.  Although at first it may seem difficult, it is very possible to be content even during harsh circumstances. Paul said, in Philippians 4:11-12,"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  In those two verses, Paul is saying that he could be content—that is, have joy—regardless of his circumstances. Joy should not be dependent on circumstances; it should be present regardless of them. When Paul said that he could be content "in any and every situation," he truly meant everything—even the tough times of testing. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, he lists some of the tough times that he has endured: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."Even in all these things, Paul had "learned to be content." Clearly, it's not our circumstances that steal our joy. You, too, can learn "to be content whatever the circumstances.Stop thinking that you will have joy after you buy a new house, after you get married, after you buy a better car, after your in-laws treat you right. Don't put off joy untilafter everything goes your way; decide to have joy now! For you can have joy whatever the circumstances!

Be a channel for God's blessings, not a reservoir.

Have you ever wondered why God may not be blessing you as much as you think he should? 

It could be because you've become a reservoir for God's blessings, rather than a channel. If you're simply accumulating more and more rather than giving what has been given to you, then God probably won't bless you. However, if you give away the things that God gives you, then you become a channel through which his blessings flow. He blesses you so that you can bless others. That's exactly what God promised to Abram: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). God promised to bless Abram so that he could be a blessing to others. If you use what you have to bless others, then God will probably bless you with more (so that you can bless others even more). The Bible describes that principle using language of sowing and reaping: you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-8).  Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. These verses are a direct promise from God: If you will sow abundantly with a good (cheerful) attitude, then God will bless you. Why?. So that you can bless others. Being a channel for God's blessings means passing them on to others. This principle of sowing and reaping works in all areas of our life--not just money. You can bless others in ways that don't necessarily require Money. Decide to sow seeds of blessing aggressively, and you'll discover that God will provide a great abundance for you simply because you're a channel not a reservoir. 

with God i will make it.

with God i will make it.

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When life is going well, it can be easy to forget God. So, sometimes God will use painful circumstances — difficulties, trials, and troubles — to get our attention and remind us of our need for Him. In James 1:2-4, we are instructed to rejoice in trials: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Why are trials good for us? Because they make us more mature– that is, closer to God. So, when you feel the pain of life know that God is with you.

With God i will make it.

When life is going well, it can be easy to forget God. So, sometimes God will use painful circumstances — difficulties, trials, and troubles — to get our attention and remind us of our need for Him. In James 1:2-4, we are instructed to rejoice in trials: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Why are trials good for us? Because they make us more mature– that is, closer to God. So, when you feel the pain of life know that God is with you.