Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Pastor's Ponderings, May 30, 2017

Enough is Enough

One of my favorite short stories is about a dog lying on a nail. “A man walking down the street encountered folks sitting on their porch and a dog lying on the porch whining and groaning. He asked the folks why the dog was acting that way . . ."Because he's lying on a nail" they replied.
"Why doesn't he get up?" the man asked.
"Because it's not hurting bad enough" they replied.

It is time that we said, “Enough is enough.  I am getting off the nails in my life.” Many times we will tolerate irritations in our lives that we should simply get rid of. But because we have grown used to these negative influences, we allow them to sap our lives, destroy our dreams and deplete our energy so that we cannot achieve the purposes of God in our lives. Bad habits, disorganization, procrastination, or laziness can be the nails that we will complain to our friends about, but never do anything about.

Some of us will even keep people in our lives who discourage our vision, disparage our goals, and defame us even though the Bible tells His children to leave hindering people (2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 1 Corinthians 15:33). The Bible also says that the thief comes to kill, to steal and to destroy us (John 10:10). We have to realize that now is the time to wake up and do what God has told us to do and not simply whine and groan about our situation (Romans 13:11). We must refuse to let the devil or his influence have any place in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).

Today we must say enough is enough. We must say that we will live our lives to the fullest, taking advantage of every God-given opportunity knowing that our God is more than enough to meet every need in our life. God wants us to have a full and outstanding life (John 10:10). No longer will we tolerate negative people, obstacles, or hindrances in our lives.  It is time to say, enough is enough! 

2 Corinthians 6:17-18
New International Version (NIV)
17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

1 Corinthians 15:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

John 10:10

New International Version (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Romans 13:11

New International Version (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Ephesians 4:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.




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