Guts

The Christian life takes guts, but where get we this intestinal fortitude? We gain courage as we wait on the Lord, look diligently at the road ahead, access our transporting integrity, allow it’s righteousness to smooth the way mentally, watch God snatch us away!

Proverbs 4:25-27 teaches: “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”E.S.V.

1 Peter 1:13 then teaches: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” E.S.V.

Finally Heb 12:15 directs us:  “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” K.J.V.

Courage comes in many forms. I am happy that the word “grace” describes it. It’s a freely given endowment, a surge of energy, an open door, an escape path.

Grace coming at me must meet my diligent gaze, my fixed focus, my unswerving concentration, my determined desire.

Grace will hide itself, delay itself, disguise itself and wait. Why? Grace needs faith to operate, or to get an access.

Faith builds a capacity, cup, bowl or earthen vessel that God can fill — one that can hold the juice, (of grace).

Here’s some quotes:

“Keep faith. The most amazing things in life tend to happen right at the moment you’re about to give up hope.”Anonymous

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“Feed your faith and your fear will starve.” Anonymous

“The principal part of faith is patience.” George MacDonald

“When you have come to the edge, faith is knowing you will be taught to fly.” Anonymous

When young men and women grow into adulthood, there comes an interesting phenomena. They assume an individuality, whether they want it or not. Yes, as folks grow older their support may wane, but the way they are viewed by others will also change. They will less and less be “George’s boy or Jim’s friend, or from that good “Christian” school. No, now they are purely and cleanly alone in their own name, identity, individuality. They are looked upon and evaluated as simply Tom, Jane, or Bob.

Let’s delve further, now they enter into a new kind of consciousness. “I am purely the source of all my deeds.” I cannot rely on any others to take blame or receive accolades for anything I do. My work is solely mine, it represents only me,

This means when I write a blog, readers will refer to that blog as the work of Tom. This could scare us a bit. We must consider, what will people think of me? Will my work be accepted? How do I go about writing acceptable blogs? Do I only want to be socially acceptable? Politically correct? Do I speak things that others want to hear only? The temptation is strong.

Or, do I have the guts to stand on my own two feet?

Lastly a short story condensed by me:

“Once upon a time, Satan was having a garage sale ……….

………..The visitor, as he browsed, noticed two well worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not being nearly as tempting as the other items, he found it curious that these two tools had price tags higher than any other. When he asked why, Satan just laughed and said, “Well, that’s because I use them so much. If they weren’t so plain looking, people might see them for what they were.” Satan pointed to the two tools, saying, “You see, that one’s Doubt and that one’s Discouragement — and those will work when nothing else will.” inspirationalarchive.com

Beloved, of course life will discourage and bring doubt. We must battle through these too. But remember this:

With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Abide in Him and you will bring forth much fruit.” “Without Him we can do nothing.”  love ya