“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chron. 15:7, NKJV).
This scripture caused me to reflect on my spiritual condition, and ask, Have I done enough? Have I gone far enough? As Christians, we may do “enough” to satisfy ourselves, or even our pastor. But is it enough to please God?
“Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24, KJV).
My husband and I live in rural Ohio with our two daughters, sons-in-law and five delightful granddaughters. Our family farm is named “Winds of Faith Farm.” One day, God did something incredible.
I was busy in the house in southern Ohio, when all of a sudden my youngest granddaughters, Lydia and Gabrielle, bolted through the front door with terror on their young faces.
They screamed that our beloved mini-horse Dumplin had somehow gotten out of his stall and was galloping toward the road. The thought of what my granddaughters might witness was too much! But what to do?
“This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15, NIV).
God loves us very much. No matter what we do, He will still forgive us because His love for us is unconditional.
Before the apostle Paul became a follower of Jesus, his name was Saul. Saul thought he knew all about God and that Jesus was a false messiah. He even convinced people to kill Stephen. Saul was angry that the disciples were preaching about Jesus.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22–23, KJV).
I believe that a Christian must have the fruit of the spirit. If all Christians would read and take to heart these verses daily, along with Philippians 4:8, which tells us to think on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, we would not have the problems in church we are faced with today. But the only way to attain, retain and maintain that fruit is by steadily focusing on Jesus; to “think on” Him continuously.
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I consider myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I am off and running, and I’m not turning back” (Phil. 3:13–14, MSG).