Monday, June 24, 2019

Pastor's Ponderings, June 24, 2019

Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Try

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” In the 1980 Star Wars movie, “The Empire Strikes Back,” Yoda mentors Luke who was attempting to raise a space ship off the ground.  Luke was caught between doing and not doing and did not have confidence in his ability to accomplish what seemed to be an impossible feat. Just like Luke, many of us face great challenges in life, which causes us to doubt our ability to achieve victory.

God has given us divine ability to accomplish anything that He has given us to do through His strength (Philippians 4:13). The Bible says that in everything we do, we should do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).  We should do everything, not haphazardly or thoughtlessly, but we should do it as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).  

In Bishop T.D. Jakes latest book, “Soar,” he writes that some people in their sixties are at the funeral parlor door simply waiting for their turn.  They have decided that their time is up and they don’t have to do anything anymore.  But if we are breathing, God has given us purpose that we must continue to work (John 9:4).

We have to ask ourselves, what is God telling us to accomplish during our mission on earth.  Are we to start that business, complete that degree, run that marathon, make that new friend, plant that garden, or write that book?  We don’t have to simply try because the eternal God works effectively in us (Philippians 2:13). 

This week, let us begin by praying for wisdom and direction from God.  Then we can make a to do list of important tasks for our life.  We can continue with small steps and keep going until the task is done.  There is no try with God.  He wants to make our way prosperous in every area and have good success (Joshua 1:8).  Let us do God’s will in our life.

Philippians 4:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Colossians 3:17, 23
New International Version (NIV)
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

John 9:4
New International Version (NIV)
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Philippians 2:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Joshua 1:8
New International Version (NIV)
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.





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