Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Keep It Going

“Keep It Going”
By Zach Wood
Galatians 6:9-10

 
When I read this passage on my YouVersion Bible app yesterday morning, it really hit home with me.  I don’t think there is any one of us who has not been affected by what this passage talks about.  We try to be consistent in our efforts to do our best to be good and Godly servants to others.  I think most of us would nod and agree there.  However, it can become frustrating and discouraging, after a period of time, when things don’t seem to change or progress at all in our opportunities of trying to help others and do good things to improve the life around us.

 
Being consistent can be very hard, especially when you feel worn out from doing good and you don’t see any progress.  This is our human perspective and thinking.  In these times, which most of us regularly have, we must put our faith in God and leave these situations in His hands and trust that He is working, even when we cannot see.  Paul says here that at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

 
When we feel like giving up, it’s those times that we really must put our trust and faith in God and be strengthened through Him to continue on.  Our perspective is so limited, but He sees the whole picture.  Let us not become weary in doing good.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Is He Your True Desire?

“Is He Your True Desire?”
By Zach Wood
Psalm 73:25-26

Every one of us would agree about how our desire should be for God and not for the things of this world.  However, if we honestly took a daily look at our lives from a distance, we would most likely see a difference from what we desire and how we really live. 

It is truly my desire each day to make God number one and to serve Him with all my heart in whatever the day may bring.  Even though my honest desire is to seek Him, there are many different distractions that seem to catch my attention as I go about my day.  I find it difficult to keep my attention often on growing with God.  It is easy for me to get caught up in daily preparations that I completely miss out on just stopping for a while to see something God wants me to focus on and meditate on. 

We all experience challenges all through our day.  I hope and pray that this passage will encourage you to be strong in your daily desire to seek God with all your heart.  We are bombarded with needs and demands at work, at home and other various things we are involved with.  We must remember that our number one desire, above all other things, should be to make God priority and our heart’s desire to serve.  If anything else is more important than desiring Him, then a priority check is in order.

From the time we get up in the morning to the time we lay our head on the pillow at night, Satan is working hard to pull you away from your desire and focus in serving God in any possible way he can.  He will not stop or rest in getting you to forsake that desire.  He wants to put anything possible in your way to lure you and entice you to fall from walking with God.  However, the more we desire Him and the stronger we become in our relationship with Him, the less impact Satan has on us. 

Honestly ask yourself the question again, "Is He your true desire?"

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

From Desire To Intentional

“From Desire To Intentional”
By Zach Wood
Proverbs 2:1-5

I try to be intentional about a lot of things.  I want to be intentional about being a positive role model to my kids.  I want to be intentional about being a supportive and loving husband for my wife.  I want to be intentional about connecting with my family and staying in contact with them.  I also desire to be intentional about my ministry job as a pastor in that I help guide and encourage people in their walk with the Lord.  I desire to be intentional.  It is something I’m working harder and harder to be better about.

When I read this passage in Proverbs, I am encouraged and reminded that if I want to be strong in my walk with God, then I need to be intentional about spending time in His Word and gaining knowledge.  My desire is to grow in wisdom from His Word and to follow Him by being a fully, committed follower of Jesus Christ.  I desire to call out to Him for insight and to search for that as for hidden treasure. 

My desire should drive me to be intentional in my effort of growth.  Many times, that does not happen.  I have the desire, but something distracts me and I lose focus completely.  With all that is going on in my daily life, it is often very easy to forget that I need to be intentional about a lot of things, but first and foremost, I need to be strong in my walk with God. 

Do you want to be intentional about your walk with God?  Do you really and truly desire to grow in Him and to search for wisdom in His Word as you would search for hidden treasure? I hope that to be true of your heart.  I do have the desire, but it’s often tripped up by some distraction or one more thing I want to complete before I actually sit down and take the time to read.  I need to be stronger.  I am sure you feel the same as I do.  I hope you feel the desire to be more intentional in your desire and effort to be in the Word and to grow with Him.