As we look around us today we
often see people in fear and confusion as they watch TV and listen to the fear
mongers in the media. But fear and confusion should have no place in the life
of the Christian. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power
and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7; KJV).
God says that perfect love
drives fear from our lives (1 John 4:18). Fear is the opposite of faith; faith
believes God, fear believes the reports of the devil.
If our lives are driven by
selfishness and evil motives then confusion easily results (James 3:16) but “For
God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33).
How do we walk in peace? In
Isaiah chapter 26 and verse 3 it is written: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee” Let’s commit to walk
in love, focus on God’s word and believe it; not the noise in the world around
us. Let’s cut through the confusion in our world and be beacons of God’s life,
peace and truth. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”
(John 8:32).
True life and freedom are not
to be found in rushing after everything the world says is important. God’s
greatest desire is to bless us, but His word says: “But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (God’s provisions
and blessings) shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33).
We need to put God first and
do things God’s way.
Please visit the promotional video
for our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Click on this link: https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c
Have
you ever noticed that there is no prize for starting, the only reward is for
the one that finishes the race (1Cor 9:24). At the end of his life for Christ
Paul could say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7; KJV) and he eagerly looked forward to his heavenly
reward.
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2; KJV).
Paul paints a picture for us of the heavenly
hosts cheering us on. As we look back at all the amazing men and women of God
who have gone before us, we should be encouraged to focus on Jesus and put
aside all the distractions and sins, to serve Him on this earth.
We
need the same heavenly focus that Jesus had and need to know that we don’t run
in our own strength but His (Phil 2:13; Phil 4:13). Paul exhorted us to press
on, to lay hold of all God has for us and be disciplined (Phil 3:12-14; 1Cor
9:25). We are God’s salt and lights in this world (Matt 5:13-14), He so wants
to work through us, to bless us in our earthly journey (Eph 3:20) and to bring
us to that eternal reward in Heaven. Let's cooperate and press in; the rewards
are great and the journey amazing. Finish Strong!
Check out the promotional video for our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian
Training”; click on the following link: https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c