Make Every Effort
We know we’re called to be more like Christ. How does that spiritual transformation actually happen?
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24)
The Christian faith isn’t a casual undertaking. It’s not something we do on a once-a-week basis or in our spare time. It demands our every effort. Jesus tells his listeners that they will try to enter eternal life but will be turned away.
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with You, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from Me, all you evildoers!’” (Luke 13:26-27)
As Jews – God’s chosen people – they assumed that their heritage assured them a place in God’s kingdom. Jesus’ words must have startled them. What about us?
Jesus’ instructions to us include:
· Believe in the One He sent (John 6:29)
· Store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20 & Luke 12:33)
· Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
· Love each other to show the world you follow Me (John 13:35)
· Feed the hungry, welcome strangers, clothe those in need, care for the sick and visit those in prison (Matthew 25:35-40)
God calls us to the work of believing and seeking and loving and serving. He urges us to make every effort.
Holy and merciful God, thank you for giving me the incredible gift of salvation. I want to make every effort to live for You because of what You have done for me. Amen.
Questions: Have you ever had a time when you found yourself drifting in your faith? What did you do to get back to your first love?
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Dear Stephine,
Have you accepted Christ into your heart and life? It is through your faith in what Jesus did on the cross that allows you to have a close, intimate relationship with God. Here is a link that explains more:
http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/discoverpurpose/
At this time, I would like to pray for you.
Father God, I pray You will reveal Your presence in Stephnie’s heart and life in a greater way. She is searching desperately for You and needs to know that You are with her. I ask that You fill her with Your Spirit so she can experience greater closeness with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
I have been praying and calling on God. I have been praying to hear His voice and presence in my life. I know that all i need to go is repent and ask for help and he is faithful and just to forgive me. I need to know i am not walking alone. I want to feel God is with me leading me.
Barbara,
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know what a blessing this devotional was for you. Let me just pray for you right now:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for using this devotional to encourage and bless Barbara. Continue to draw her near to your heart dear Lord, and help her to eagerly desire to press into you in every way, every day. Amen
I sometimes feel disconnected from God. Your words and pray to “plea for help” seemed as through they were for me. Thank you for being a blessing to me
good article thank you for posting it
1st and for most I will like to give a honor to our almighty god. Everything on suz site is so much very true. He did a lot of things and die for us gods only son Jesus . I feel if you have life pay back such as walking and talking living right for Jesus Christ he deserve some much more everyday we live and get to see another day. Am just glad that I seek more of him and wants what he have planned for me and many others that except him in there lives and hearts most of all their spirit. Amen may god continue to use you according to his plan.
Dear Friend,
Thank you for asking for help. God hears the cry of a humble heart. How good it is to realize that that we are not where we hope to be! Listen to these amazing words from Isaiah:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David….Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:1-3, 6)
Please allow me to pray for you.
Gracious Heavenly Father, I pray for this dear child of Yours. You never stop calling to us, reminder her of this truth. God, I pray that You would make us truly thirsty. Thank you for helping this child of Yours realize that she is drifting. Help her to meditate today on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, renew her understanding of Your great love and Your great sacrifice for her. Help her to call on You and keep calling on You until You show her the way. Reveal to her if there is anything standing in the way of her hearing You. Show her how to surrender more completely to You. Pour out Your grace and forgiveness and love on her. Draw her into the incredible celebration of Your resurrection. Amen.
When the Israelites were in captivity and far from God, God spoke to them through the prophet Jeremiah: “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
I urge you to seek after God with all your heart.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
Suzanne
..to invest not on what is temporal, but eternal.
I’m drifting in my faith. What can i do to get back to my first love? # help