Posted:
Based on “iServe” by Pastor Dean Corns; 7/25-26/09,
Message #DC129;
Daily Devotional #6 - “Don’t Grow Weary”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10) It certainly is easy to grow weary in this fast paced world. What with inflation, recession, gas prices, and just the stress of daily living, it’s hard to keep a smile on our face and do good. Just trying to survive each day with a victorious attitude has become an art form. Yet along with all of this stress comes the unique "trials of life." From health issues to financial disaster, we must all battle the ups and downs of living in this fallen world. Yet, unlike the unsaved, God has empowered us to be victorious during these exhausting times. His Spirit within us will allow us to soar on eagles’ wings over frightening situations in our lives. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to embrace, appropriate, and share with the family of believers these eternal Promises as we follow the example of our Christ!
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): We can be disobedient and choose not to accept His plans for us. Or, we can walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and believe in His Promises, serving wherever He directs. It’s absolutely our choice. My five-year-old granddaughter faced such a situation recently. Against her better judgment, her parents encouraged her to remove the training wheels from her bike. After only going a few feet she ended up under the bike in the middle of the sidewalk. Immediately she got up, picked up the bike and walked it back to the garage. She threw it on the floor and told her dad to put the training wheels back on! The next day she walked out into the garage and asked her dad to take the training wheels back off the bike. Her dad, reluctant to relive the horror of the previous day, asked her if she was sure. She assured him she was! Once the training wheels were off of her bike, she sailed off down the sidewalk without one mishap and never looked back! For her, it was all about determination. She didn’t give up! How about us, are we as determined to ride down the sidewalk of life, without training wheels, totally dependent on God? Or are we living life the safe way by keeping our training wheels on and depending on our own abilities to keep us safe? Are we afraid to step out and try something new?
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Our Heavenly Dad wants us to remove any "manmade" ideas and schemes we have to get us safely through life. His plan is always the best plan. I know this firsthand. Burdened by an insatiable desire to control my life and the lives of others, I have secured loans, manipulated people, and have even tried to manipulate God! But even my best plans failed, and I would always end up on my knees repenting for my actions of unbelief. Thankfully, He is a forgiving God and continues to remind me of His Promises, because His Word is the only thing in this world that we can trust! Governments will fall, friends will fail, and loved ones will leave, but Jesus Christ will never abandon us! He has given His very life for our success, and it is His will that we trust Him completely, following His plans for our lives, serving Him and others wherever He places us. So don’t grow weary doing good!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 1 Peter 4; Galatians 6:14
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