The desire to do a thing must carry with it the willingness to sacrifice for it.
Greetings.
Recently I have been thinking about the statement above. What am I willing to sacrifice for? Now, let me challenge you to do the same… but in a slightly different way.
What do you spend your time on now that takes away from things you could / should be doing?
To put it another way, how much time do you waste on selfish things, when you could be spending your time encouraging and building up others? How much time during your day is consumed with trivial things that need not get done?
Maybe we do sacrifice our time, talent, and treasure… but for the wrong things?
It's all a matter of priorities.
…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4 - 5
(So sorry for not blogging in a while… excuse… excuse… there. Now I am out of excuses.)
"There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all."
-- Peter Drucker
Mr. Drucker has a great point there. Whether ministry, business, house work… anything really.
Why did Jesus come to earth? Why was He born in a manger? Why was He born to poor country folks? Why did He suffer the rejection and undergo the turmoil (not to mention the crucifixion!)? Why? Is saving humanity from their sin, "that which should not be done at all"?
Clearly in the heart and mind of God, we are His special possession. You remember that today… and tomorrow… and anytime you feel like no one cares. Jesus cares.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11I'm sure that in your life, gaining a little perspective on certain
things would reap great benefits.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Paul wrote 2 Timothy to a young guy named... of all things... Timothy.
Timothy had a lot going for him. He learned at Paul's side. He was well spoken of not only by Paul, but we can assume from the other apostles. But he, like all of us, wrestled with timidity.
What makes us back down from doing what we know we ought?
Fear of man? Possibly. There is always the fear that we will not be well received.
Insecurity? Possibly. There is always the potential for the nagging feeling that we are not able to accomplish such and such a job for the Lord.
Are there more than two? Of course. But the reasons for timidity are not nearly as important as the call to be powerful (in your faith), loving, and self disciplined. Ask yourself today:
What has the Lord called me to and equipped me for that I am not boldly pursuing?
"The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or fight its enemies is lunch."
-- Michael Friedman
I know it has been a while since my last post. But, as we all know, things happen. Today is not like any other day. It certainly is not like yesterday, and will undoubtedly be altogether different from tomorrow.
Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking to a young guy in the military. Over the years, I have really come to appreciate the character and passion of these folks. The men and women that serve us by fighting for our freedom are highly trained and it shows.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
