A Hurting Word...
Free survival kits to all who pass the course--the course called "LIFE," of course! And while we juggled it last week, we will attempt to survive it this week! For whether you are a kid, a single, a parent, or a senior, you WILL survive, whatever's going on, until the course is complete. When, where, how it ends, no one but the Lord knows--but in the meantime, let's live life to its fullest. Let's do MORE than just barely survive--let's survive with STYLE...come to the Well and see how!!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Secrets to Survival!
Lose it!
"He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it (Matthew 10:39 KJV)."
Want to ace the course? Then learn early on that survival calls for self-surrender, on a daily basis! He who does not surrender will live in constant stress and turmoil--and that's not God's Will! Let's face it--to surrender to one who is weaker and less wise than ourselves is foolish--but we surrender to the Omnipotent, Omniscient God of the Universe, "Who is, Who was, and Who is to come!" But we are stubborn, strong-willed critters! We fight to find ourselves, and in the fighting we lose--AND fail!
And all the while, the Master Teacher waits--He waits for us to learn the lesson of surrender--for He knows that in it lies peace and joy, fulfillment and contentment beyond measure. Want to survive in style? Then LOSE your life and find it--IN HIM!
Refuse it!
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26 KJV)."
Want to ace the course? Then learn early on that survival calls for self-control, on a daily basis! To live a life pleasing to the Lord, to resist temptation, to commit to godly living--not in our perfection, but by His grace. Self-control and discipline are not fun words, but they are freeing words, for when Jesus Christ is Lord of our body, soul, mind, and spirit, we are free to love and live in the fullest way possible. Fight for your right to "enjoy the pleasures of sin" and you will fail. Surrender to serve Him, and you will live in joy and peace.
And all the while, the Master Teacher works to help us learn the lesson--He gives us strength to refuse Satan's tricks, taunts, and temptations. He rejoices when we survive in style! For when we REFUSE the world's way, we find that survival is more than just following His laws--it's following HIM!
Choose it!
"...choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 KJV)."
Want to ace the course? Then learn early on that survival calls for self-choice, on a daily basis! You, and only you, must make a decision to serve the Lord. Whatever your family, friends--or foes--choose has no bearing on your personal choice. You initially choose to serve the Lord at salvation, but daily you must choose to live God's way. "What Would Jesus Do?" is a good motto to live by--what choice would HE make in this situation or that? If I would truly follow my MASTER, the choices I make each day will be good ones that honor Him and reflect His love and grace.
And all the while, He, the Master Teacher, will wait for us to learn the lesson--to choose HIS way and HIS Kingdom, HIS WILL and HIS WAY--for He knows that in choosing Him, we choose LIFE, and life more abundantly!
God is more concerned with the student than his grade--but let's not just barely pass Survival 101--let's ace the course, and know REAL life in Him!
