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"You need fuel. Doesn’t take long to burn up a tank."

 

A thought by Max Lucado, from his book, Begin Again (p. 75). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

That is so true isn't it?


Max says, "Boss demands more hours, doctor requires more tests, spouse wants more attention, church needs more volunteers—everyone wants more. Before long you are out of gas. Heaven has an ample supply of energy. But how do you make the connection? How do you put God’s gas in your tank?"

He goes on, "Here is my suggestion. Fill your tank with the promises of God. One student of Scripture spent a year and a half attempting to tally the number of promises God has made to humanity. He came up with 7,487 promises!1 God’s promises are pine trees in the Rocky Mountains of Scripture: abundant, unbending, and perennial. . . You’ll go further on a full tank of his love."

Later he says:

  • "Do critics define your identity? No, because God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image' (Gen. 1:26 NCV). That includes you. 
  • Can challenges deplete your strength? No, because 'we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ' (Rom. 8:17). 
  • You have access to the family fortune. Are you a victim of circumstances? Not in the least. 'When a believing person prays, great things happen' (James 5:16 NCV). 
  • Does God have a place for the small people of the world? You bet he does. 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble' (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV). 
  • Can anyone understand what it is like to lead your life? Jesus can. 'Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses' (Heb. 4:15 NCV). 
  • Do you feel all alone with your problems? You aren’t. Jesus 'is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us' (Rom. 8:34). 
  • Can God ever forgive your failures? He already has. 'There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Rom. 8:1). 
  • Is the grave a dead end? Just the opposite. 'Death has been swallowed up in victory' (1 Cor. 15:54). 
  • Will the sorrow ever end? Sometimes it feels as if it won’t. But God has assured us: 'Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning' (Ps. 30:5 NLT). 
  • Will you have the wisdom and energy for the remainder of your life? No, you won’t. But the Holy Spirit does. 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you' (Acts 1:8)." 

Max then says, "Death, failure, betrayal, sickness, disappointment—they cannot take your hope, because they cannot take your Jesus.

And he is so right, isn't he?

Yes, yes!

 

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