“It’s time to stop making excuses and start getting well.”

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2015-10-27) from his book, #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World (p. 201). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I don’t know how you are finishing this year and what you are carrying into the new year. Is it the same thing that you started 2015 with? Craig gives some great advice. Oh I know. My dad used to say that advice not asked for stinks. I know that can be true. But this thought could make all the difference in the new year ahead. Here it is, “It’s time to stop making excuses and start getting well.” That is very good stuff.

Over in John 5:8-9 we find Jesus looking at a crippled man and He said to him, “‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” Maybe that is what he is saying to you at the end of 2015.

Craig said, “Jesus didn’t heal the man a month later; it happened immediately. In the same way, when you surrender this challenge to Jesus, he can do more in that moment than you can even imagine. You might not feel any different, and the change might not happen all at once, but Jesus’ power will be working in you.”

He continues, “Jesus told the invalid to get up and start walking. That’s a pretty hefty assignment for a guy who most likely had never walked in his life. Jesus told him to do what everyone else would have considered impossible. Notice that the guy didn’t even ask Jesus to heal him. Jesus just did it because he’s Jesus.”

And then Craig gives another good thought, “When you get close to Jesus, he will do things you don’t even ask him to do. He’s just that good.”

Craig then says, “Right now Jesus may be saying to you, ‘I don’t want to hear your excuses. I want you to believe that I have something even better, something richer for you. Something that will satisfy your longing that nothing else can quench.’”

Is that what He is saying to you?

Comments

"Jesus comes in the midst of the torrent."

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, You Are Never Alone (p. 60). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) We all have storms in our lives, don't we? Max says, "No one gets through life scot-free. At one point or another the sky will darken, the winds will rage, and we will find ourselves in a modern-day version of the Galilean gusher." John 6:16–18 (NIV) says, "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough." Max goes on, "The hearts of the followers began to sink as their boat was certain to do. Their skin was soaked, throats hoarse, eyes wide. They searched the sky for a break in the clouds. They gripped the boat for fear of the waves. They screamed their prayers for help. But they heard nothing. "If only Jesu

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life. It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed. Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life. Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you. You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good. Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because God is good He will use e

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident. In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose. In other words you are not an accident. I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth. In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man. And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like? Like that characteristic is a curse or something. Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God. Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Jesus did answer the question about the blind

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog