Day 3 Don't Just "Do It"

Day 3... Don't Just "Do It"

Today's bible verse is;

Luke 4:1-2  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was lead by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.  He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Day 3's reading in Rendezvous talks about how the media such as television ads is sending the message that if we purchase a particular brand of shoes, drink a particular type of sports drink, and "add equal doses of effort, willpower, and determination, we can excel at the sport of our choice" (Moore, p.22).  This would be remarkable if it were true, but as we all know there is more to it than that.  Unfortunately we cannot just "do it".

Taking a bit of a detour here, I have been an avid watcher of television my whole life, it has been my relaxation, my entertainment, my exercise, and as I have grown and matured in my walk with Jesus, I have learned that it has been my excuse for not living life.  Deep down in my mind at times, I believed that life should be like the shows and movies I have watched.  I should look like that actress, or be as good at that sport like that athlete, I should just be able to have my Master's degree completed by next week's episode.  Now there are more reasons why I submerged myself into television, but I won't go into that now.  What I will say is that I am learning that if I want to achieve any goal, it takes a lot of work on my part, and I have not done it by myself.  God has been with me every step of the way!

Now, not only has God been with me, but my husband, children, friends, fellow students, instructors, and even people I don't even know have been with me all through this journey and those that came before.  But mostly this journey I have had all of these people, and the Holy Spirit with me.  See it is not just "Jesus and Me", it's everyone that touches my life that has contributed to this journey.

"Christ never expects us to live our Christian lives under our own power.  We have the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did" (Moore, p.23).

It is our responsibility and our choice to follow Jesus, to make the initial commitment, but He never intended us to "go it alone", or just "do it" by ourselves.  We have to be careful that we don't fall into the trap of trying to earn our salvation. 

Here are a few bible verses to remember when you think that you have to everything yourself, by yourself;

1 Peter 4:8-10
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Don't be jealous of what gifts others have, we cannot be all things, only Jesus can.  Instead find a way to meld your gifts with their gifts to make both of you stronger.

 Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is important to continue to meet as Christians, to hold one another up, encourage one another, be a joy to one another.

 1 Corinthians 12:17-20
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?  If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, be thankful for the body that you have, with all of it's imperfections, you are the way you are because God made you that way.... BEAUTIFUL!!

 Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

We need to be encouraging to one another, lean on one another, be there for one another, ask for help when you hear the Spirit directing you too because you know the voice I am talking about don't you?  The one that is quiet and whispers, "ask and you shall receive".

Today, open your eyes and see who you might help today, who needs your help today.  As the author leaves us for now he says;

Remember:  You can't do it alone; you need the help of the Spirit and of other Christian believers.

Thank you for visiting the blog today, I pray that God speaks to all of you who have come, and remember, I didn't do this alone, God has been with me the whole time, as He is with you always.

God Bless
Wendy