The Essentials

Joshua 1:⁸ “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Rom. 6:^4b “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we can also live a new life.” (NCV, emphasis added). This new life the Bible is talking about here, does it apply to people who have been Christians for over thirty years, people that may be referred to as old Christians? Yes, it does. There is always more in God and everyone can have a fresh start. What if I am Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim, or Catholic, or Baptist; can I also have a fresh start? Yes, you can. In fact, the fresh start is for you. What of those who are not even religious? As you will discover, it is not about religion. Jesus makes a huge statement in Luke 5:³² Jesus: “I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders —an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” (MSG, emphasis added). So, if you feel you do not belong, if you feel that you have been on a level for too long, if you feel like an outsider even though you have been in church all your life, if you feel like you are an outsider with God, then it is you Jesus is talking to and it is you that He wants to give a fresh start.

To enjoy the fullness that God has for us in any area, it is all about the fundamentals. In your marriage, it is all about the fundamentals. Even if you have been married for thirty years, it is still all about the fundamentals.  If you have played any sport to any level, you will discover that it is all about the fundamentals. In soccer, for instance, it is all about the fundamentals. I see people kick the ball and it flies up and they wonder what happened. It is all about the fundamentals; when you open your body, the ball flies up. When you close your body, the ball stays down. In tennis, it is all about the fundamentals. Before the ball gets to you, prepare for the shot. In golf, it is all about the fundamentals; your grip, your stance- all about the fundamentals.

We will spend a lot of time on this because if you can get the fundamentals right in God, you will operate at levels that will shock people. A lot of people pretend as if there is something super special to their walk with God. But the truth is that it is just about the fundamentals. For instance, a fundamental is, read your Bible, and pray every day if you want to grow. By the grace of God, countless people come to me looking to grow spiritually. One young man, in particular, was telling me about the different programs he has been attending because he wants to grow spiritually. So, I asked him, “Do you read your Bible?” He said, “No.” I asked him the last time he read his Bible. A lot of people ignore the fundamentals and go chasing shadows. I said to him, “Go and read your Bible. Start from the Book of John and pray every day.” That is all. You are building a relationship and it is all about the fundamentals. If you can get the fundamentals, you will be fine, and I pray that you will get the fundamentals in Jesus Name.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I open my heart to the wisdom of God. Help me get the fundamentals to living as God intends, in Jesus Name. Amen!