WHY IS THIS NOT WORKING?
If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
John 13:17
Like many people, I had a goal to hit the month of January with a diet and exercise plan. I was going to cut carbs, get on my newly purchased elliptical machine four times a week, and lift weights three days a week. I was going to be a specimen by the end of the first quarter. Hmmm. As I write this, my elliptical machine is gathering dust, and I am heavier than ever.
Now we all know "why" my diet and exercise plan is not working. It is not working because I am not doing it! The Bible says, "A good understanding have all those who DO His commandments" (Psalm 111:10). Jesus told us that the blessing is not in the knowing but in the doing.
AT HOME
In the Christian life, the rubber meets the road at home. Without question, marriage and family are critical to our lives. It matters little how high you climb on the ladder of success in the business world. If your marriage and family is a disaster, everything else really rings hollow.
And why do so many who claim to follow Christ have such dissatisfying home-life situations? It is because the elliptical machine is gathering dust, so to speak. People often know what to do, they just don't do it. They want to have a great marriage and family without doing the things necessary to have a great marriage and family. They want to have a deep walk with God without doing the things necessary to have a deep walk with God - things like time in His Word, time on your knees and time with a small group who can hold you accountable and help you grow.
Debbie and I are privileged to get to share at Family Life Weekend Marriage Getaways around the country. Next weekend we will be in Roanoke, Virginia, sharing proven, biblical principles for experiencing a wonderful marriage and family. But you know what? Even though we teach on this stuff and know what the Bible says about it, we don't experience oneness in our marriage UNLESS we DO what we know. The blessing is not in the knowing, it is in the doing.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
There are some people I know who study the Bible and can give you chapter and verse on this doctrine and that doctrine, but those same people are mean, cruel, selfish, jealous, and bitter. They are just like the Pharisees of old who studied God's Word, taught God's Word and never really obeyed God's Word. They merely gave lip service to the commands of God.
Are you doing the same?
As you look over your life, are you doing what God says to do?
1. Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God, or do you have God on the back burner?
2. Are you forgiving people who hurt you, or are you holding on to grudges and bitterness?
3. Are you loving your wife, even if she is not very loveable right now, or are you ignoring her and doing your own thing?
4. Are you respecting your husband, even if he is not very respectable right now, or are you constantly chipping away at him with disrespectful barbs and snide comments?
5. Are you disciplining your children and training them up in the fear of the Lord, or are you too tired to really enforce any loving, healthy boundaries?
My friend, the time is NOW to start doing what God says to do. Does Christianity work? YES! But it does not work unless you do it. Start doing His will by obeying His Word. You will be amazed how the blessings will start to flow as a result. Remember, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them" (John 13:17). Will you start today?
Now for me, I'm off to the gym to start doing my exercise program. Debbie is looking forward to a whole new me, one who takes up less of the bed!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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