Over my years in serving the Lord, I have seen a lot of things move people away from their service to the Lord. Test, trials, heartaches, and hardships, have become a roller coster ride for many of us, but some choose to derail from the track that has been laid out for their service to God.
Paul is a chosen vessel that has been called to take the gospel message to those who are in darkness. Satan hates each of us who choose to stay on track regardless of the cost, the price, the ups and downs of our serving.
Paul informs the elders of the church in Acts 20:22 that I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies that chains and tribulation await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.
Too many of us want a easy ride. God never said that this journey would be without bumps and bruises and being shoved around with winds and waves and test and trials.
Paul declares that regardless of what is in front of me, I'm not backing down, no storm, no pain, no sorrow, no question, no difficulty, no hick-up or hurt in life is going to hinder my mission.
Paul had experience a lot of test in his path, nights in prison, beaten and bruised with rods 3 times, stoned and left for dead, ship wrecked where the whole ship came apart. They miraculously got to the shore on broken boards, cold, wet, and worn to a frazzle. Now their ready to warm their hands with a fire, when a poisonous viper came out and bit him. All swollen up, they thought he would die, but he shakes it off in the fire and declares "None of these things move me."
Friend reconsider where your commitment, where your backbone is in these last days? I haven't read anywhere in the book where things are going to get any easier.
Many of us are looking for deliverance when God may be bringing about His development in and through us.
My prayer for you today is that no roller coaster ride of despair or difficulties will stop you, but rather declare like Paul. "I have decided that neither death nor life nor angles nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come, nor height or depth shall be able to separate me from the love of God.
Is there anything today that has put into question your determination to do all that He has called you to do. Paul says I'm going to finish this race and finish it with joy. Friend the sweetest victory in your spirit is when you finish and complete what God has called you to do. Declare like Paul."None of these things move me."
Oceanwayag.com Danny Baggett
There is one phrase of Paul's I remember even in my studies of the Bible,and it is part of this message;None of these things move me.
ReplyDeleteI have a ways to go but I'm working on it.