Determination

 

All of us have heard, at some time or other, that hard work pays off. We have been told that we can succeed at anything if we have the determination and will. We hear over and over that we need to focus on our goals. Late night television is full of people advertising get-rich-quick schemes that are guaranteed to make you a millionaire in a few short months IF you follow the plan that they want to sell you. Donald Trump tours the world telling people how he became rich and telling them they can be just like him. (Married how many times?)

 

Motivational speakers draw crowds (and make millions) as they make speeches to inspire us to greatness. Even our churches have become places where we go to get stimulated and motivated to make it through another week.

 

What would happen if we took all of the information that we have acquired about succeeding in life and made prayer our primary focus? What would happen if we spent as much time working on our relationship with God as we do working on becoming rich and/or successful?

 

The bible is full of promises. God tells us that He will "never leave us or forsake us". God promises to "meet all of our needs according to His riches in glory". Jesus said if we have "faith the size of a mustard seed" we can move mountains.

 

What would happen if we decided to spend more time reading and studying the bible and became determined to use our "mustard seed faith" to move the mountains in our lives? What would happen if we learned to "stand still" and wait on God to show us the way out of our current dilemma? What would happen if we prayed about everything and left nothing to chance? What would happen if we learned all of the promises of God and trusted Him to do what he said? What would happen if we became totally dependent on God?  

 

God tells us in His word that He wants us all to "prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers". I know, I know, there are some of us who say that we don't care about being rich, but we just want to be healthy and safe and comfortable. What about those people who do want to be rich? The bible says that God will give us "the desires of our hearts", but it also says that we have to "delight ourselves in Him".  The bottom line is this - if we focus on the promises of God and do what God says do, we will find out that God really will meet all of our needs and keep all of His promises to us. There is also a bonus in doing it God's way - His peace (not as the world gives).

 

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back

 

Though no one join me, still I will follow

Though no one join me, still I will follow

Though no one join me, still I will follow

No turning back, no turning back

 

The world behind me, the cross before me

The world behind me, the cross before me

The world behind me, the cross before me

No turning back, no turning back

 

Prayer

Father we thank you now for your word that gives us instructions for living. Thank you that your word is a true and living word that continues to breathe life in every situation even when WE think it's dead. Help us to trust you to do what you say you will do in your word. Help us in our determination to succeed and reach our hearts desire while trusting you.

 

AMEN

 

Be blessed!

 

Minister Sherri Hoover

 

Scripture References:

Hebrews 13:5

Philippians 4:19

Matthew 17:20

Exodus 14:13

2 Chronicles 20:17

3 John 2

Psalm 37:4

Isaiah 26:3

John 14:27