BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
(John 12:24)
MEDITATION:
You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him or her.
Hebrews 12:1 says we are to
“run with patience the race that is set before us.”
The word “patience” is not used in the same sense that we use the word;
it literally means “endurance”.
We know that a runner is going to win or lose primarily based on his endurance.
A believers, we cannot quit when the challenges seem insurmountable.
The true athlete cannot quit.
When it hurts, he or she cannot quit.
When their lungs are on fire, he or she cannot quit.
When their feet feel like lead, he or she cannot quit.
When their sides ache, he or she cannot quit.
He or she will never be an athlete if they are quitters,
and we will never be a spiritual athlete if we are quitters!
Being a Christian means we will encounter special challenges.
How we cope with those challenges is the measure of our commitment.
Either our faith is strengthened, or it is weakened by our attitudes and actions.
An athlete doesn’t get stronger without challenging his or her muscles to do more.
The pain involved assures the athlete that progress is being made.
As Christians, the painful challenges we overcome
are our assurance that we are progressing in our faith.
No pain, no gain.
ACTION:
What is tugging at you and trying to make you quit?
What have you allowed into your life that has weakened you spiritually?
Are you justifying actions that YOU KNOW should not be a part of your life?
What are you doing that is outside the boundaries established by God?
In our environment, we are encouraged
to blame others for anything and everything that goes wrong.
Consequently we fail to accept ownership for our own actions.
Why? Because we choose to obey our own standards
rather than conforming to the guidelines established by God.
Instant gratification has taken the place of obedience,
and has weakened the faith of many Christians.
When our faith is damaged, we lose our capability to
“run the race that is set before us”.
As a result, we become frustrated, angry, more selfish,
and quite often our self-esteem is damaged as well.
God has a path for each of us and He has given us what we need
to follow His path, but if we keep in a closet what He has provided, then we
lose out on special opportunities to serve Him, and enjoy being victorious.
Take time to thank God for His power
which enables you to run the race and gain the victor’s crown!
Recommit to Him and enjoy the challenges and victories in your path.
Pray,
“Lord, thank You for saving me, and forgive me for the times I wander
outside Your boundaries. Remind me that some of my problems are a
result of my own attitudes and choices. Help me to change my attitudes
and actions whenever I am faced with challenges as a believer. Also, I
pray that You would remind me that my selfishness, self-centeredness,
and blaming others for problems, will not only fail to strengthen me for
the challenges ahead, but will contribute to my faith becoming weaker
and causing me to drift out of fellowship with You. Teach me the value
of encouraging and lifting up others, and the dangers of having an “It’s
all about me” attitude. Never let me forget that You are my Rock, my
Foundation, and my Lord and Savior! You are where my strength comes
from!”
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