Monday, August 27, 2012

Determination

 
Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Ruth had the freedom to go back to her family. Naiomi relieved her and blessed her. But Ruth had a determination that she would stay with her mother-in-law.   It was so deep of determination that I believe even if Naiomi would have made her stay, that she would have probably followed behind in the dust.

Where is our determination today?  Can we say that we are so determine to stay with God that we would follow behind in the dust?   Even when our hearts are hurting, or we feel like we are in a bottomless pit, how strong is our determination?

Monday, August 20, 2012

Go two miles with Jesus

Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

This Sunday, our memory verse was Matthew 5:41.   Bro. Kurt Pace, preached on this very scripture and the Holy Spirit has been beating me over the head with it ever since. 

I'm confessing there are some sermons that I usually have forgotten by the time the car hits the driveway of the church. Oh, but not this Sunday. 

There is so many times that when I am asked to do something, I do the very least I can do to get by.  But, man, after Bro. Kurt's message, I've been looking at things so different.   Jesus said go two miles. Another way I think of it is do more than you are asked. 

Our preacher gave so many examples that stuck in my head but what intrigued me most was the history behind the scripture.  The Roman soilders had a right to order anyone to carry their bags for them a mile. After the mile, they were relieved of this duty.  Whew!   Can you imagine carrying the heavy equipment of a soilder? I probably couldn't even pick it  up, much less carry it a mile.

But then, Jesus said carry it two miles.There are so many things that I have to do daily that I don't want to do. I do bare minimal.   Mainly because I can get by with it. But now that I know that it pleases God to better, I want to.  That doesn't mean that I won't fail. I already have this morning.  But with God's mercy and grace, I want to strive to please him to do the best no matter what it is; even, cleaning the bathroom.   I hope the Spirit leads you today.  

This blog is to encourage readers through scriptures, prayers, and articles.