It seems like everyone is caught up in the “rat race” – always trying to get ahead, make more money, be more popular, look younger, beat the other guy – WIN, WIN, WIN!
There’s a lot of pressure to succeed.
I once saw a license plate frame on a fancy sports car – “He who dies with the most toys, wins!”
Can you imagine a more futile life purpose?
Unfortunately, that’s how most of the world operates. Thinking they’re in control, people only look to fulfill their selfish desires. It’s all about “me” – and being better than “you.”
As Christians, we’re supposed to be different…right?!
But are you like me? Sometimes I get caught up in my own form of spiritual “rat race.” I put a lot of pressure on myself to DO more for God – and then I chastise myself when I fall short and fail. Am I dotting all those saintly “i’s” and crossing all those godly “t’s”? Sometimes I run through a “checklist” – Bible Study, check…prayer, check…go to church, check…tithe, check…oops, could do a little more serving – oh man, I’m such a failure as a Christian.
Just the other day, I was feeling a little frustrated. Couldn’t escape the feeling that I wasn’t doing everything God wanted me to do. As a matter of fact, what DID He want me to do? So, I turned to His Word – “Lord, speak to me…”
And He did!
Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from Deuteronomy. And these verses told me exactly what God wants from me:
“…what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul…Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD…And he chose you…You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him…He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise…Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.”
(Deuteronomy 10:12, 14-15, 20a, 21a / 11:22b)
The checklist just became really easy…
Fear the Lord.
Live in a way that pleases Him.
Love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
Worship Him.
Praise Him.
Cling to Him.
Walk in His ways.
Hold tightly to Him.
Lord, I can do that!!! – Check!
“When in doubt, search God out!”
The checklist just became really easy…
Fear the Lord.
Live in a way that pleases Him.
Love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
Worship Him.
Praise Him.
Cling to Him.
Walk in His ways.
Hold tightly to Him.
Lord, I can do that!!! – Check!
“When in doubt, search God out!”
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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
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