Pursuing the right efforts!

Luke 13: 24

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Jesus said that we should make every effort to enter through the narrow door.

“make every effort”……..

How would you say your daily effort is, to learn the things of God?

Do you make every effort, or on the other hand, do you exert effort just once in a while, or maybe just once a week?

The ultimate goal of walking with Jesus, is to become like Him.

How’s that going for you?

We display effort in so many areas of our lives, but does that effort match the effort we should display, when pursuing the things of God?

Jesus says we should make every effort—His words, not mine.

In the church, there are so many ways to enact effort.

We can pray and serve and learn and worship and obey and trust and give.

I need to weigh today, if I’m making every effort to enter through the narrow door.

It appears, that those who don’t make every effort, will one day have a hard time entering into God’s presence.

Actually the Word says they won’t be able to enter.

Maybe our effort needs to change………..

Son light!

1 John 1: 5 – 6

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

This verse is pretty much to the point, isn’t it?

God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Darkness is defined as sin.

Believer’s can’t have it both ways. We can’t have fellowship with Jesus, while something dark is going on in our lives.

The Word actually calls us a liar, and that we’re not truthful—because we don’t live by the truth.

We are great at justifying, or even making excuses about the darkness we allow in.

Did you know, that we can live in the light, and have as much light as we desire?

The reason that people purchase “mood” lights, is because darkness does something to them.

Darkness makes people sad. How many people do you see on the beach in the summer, when the storm clouds form and it grows dark?

Generally not very many.

But then the Sun comes out, and the sky becomes bright and blue, people gather in great numbers.

They want to enjoy the light.

Maybe it’s time we come out of the dark, and walk for a change, in the glorious light of Christ.

This will probably take some effort on our part…………..

What binds you?

Mark 5: 2 – 4

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.

For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.

Often times we underestimate the power of evil.

No one was strong enough to subdue him—except for Jesus.

The demonic couldn’t be bound—it tore the chains apart—and broke the irons on his feet.

But Jesus came into this man’s life, and everything changed for the better.

Isn’t that just like us? Nothing seems to work right in life, and then Jesus makes His entrance.

Everything we try, to escape evil on our own, will never match wits against Jesus.

We know this man’s name to be “Legion”, because many demons entered him.

These demons were no match for Jesus.

What have you allowed into your life, that might represent evil?

Why not take it to Jesus? Those things that seem to bind you, won’t bind you anymore, if you do.

Maybe it feels like you’re living in a tomb these days. Then why not bring that “thing” or “things” to Jesus?

He’s an expert in coming out of the tomb fully alive, you know

What is crowding you out?

Luke 2: 6 – 7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Not much has changed over the years, has it?

There wasn’t room for Jesus over 2,000 years ago, and it appears there isn’t a lot of room for Him now.

I often overhear people, plan their weekends and summer vacations.

Not that it’s bad to plan ahead for rest and entertainment, but planning room for Jesus isn’t often at the top of the list.

Funny, how there was room for everything else in the Inn in Bethlehem, but no room for the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Often times, folks justify not reading the bible in the morning, or bowing their heads in prayer.

Have the things of the world, really crowded out the One who gives us life and hope?

How will you start this new week?

Will Jesus be the center of it, or will he be sent to the back of the bus?

Be Blameless

Job 1: 8

“There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

How do you become like no one else on earth, in God’s eyes?

The Word of God spells it out for us….. be blameless—upright—fear God—shun evil.

It’s said that Job would offer up burnt offering sacrifices for his 10 children, just in case his children sinned.

What might happen to our families, if father’s did likewise?

Actually, the bible says that for Job, this was a regular thing.

I think it’s important to ask the question….. “How do I fit the mold of Job?”

Job was put to the ultimate test, and he survived without blaming God for the fiasco that took place in his life.

When something goes wrong in our lives—often the first One we do want to blame is God.

The modern day picture of blameless/upright, might have people flocking to bible study, or even praying without ceasing.

Instead of pursuing our own selfish interests, pursuing God, would be at the top of the list.

A person who fears God and shuns evil, will turn the TV off, when garbage appears on the screen.

Forget about being like no one else on earth, what about becoming like no one else in your church?

That might be something we could all attain to—but that would take a concerted effort on our part………

Are you satisfied with status quo?

Philippians 3: 14 (NKJV)

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The call of God in Christ Jesus is upward.

Our goal is to win the prize. The prize is an ordained place in glory, in the presence of Almighty God.

We should be gaining altitude in our walk with God, and yet some folks are satisfied with a status quo, quest.

When we become satisfied with nominal Christianity, we’ve essentially stopped the accent toward the upward call.

Our study of the Word of God should be intentional.

Our time of prayer should become steadfast.

Our worship should become filled with God’s power.

Summer is about to take shape, and the church has a tendency to become complacent.

We want to take breaks from the action, because we think we need the rest.

When that happens, we’ve begun to sink to a lower level, not a higher one.

Which direction is your walk of faith heading?

Are you gaining upward momentum, or on the other hand, are you descending to a new all time low?

Do something about it today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your walk of faith.

Then be ready to respond, if what He reveals, needs to be addressed…………

Bad news!

Psalm 112: 7

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

There seems to be more bad news today, than good news.

God’s Word gives us a directive of how to respond. We shouldn’t fear it!

I’d like to say that my heart is steadfast when I receive bad news.

How do we respond when these words enter into our lives?

Cancer—Overdrawn—Deception—Divorce—Unfaithful—Death—Bankrupt—Wayard—Debt

Steadfast means; “firmly fixed in place—IMOVABLE”

So when bad news comes, God’s Word says we shouldn’t be shaken by it.

His Word is a compilation of commands. When bad news comes, we really do need to trust in the Lord.

Is that what you do, when bad news comes?

I guess I have some work to do in this area………..