Do You Even Try?

Do You Even Try?

by David Brenneman 

When the Spirit teaches you that you are involved in Spiritual warfare...do you take that seriously?  Because it's written there. 

When the Spirit had it written down that we're to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...did you believe it?

When the Spirit wrote that we're to be destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God...what were your thoughts on the matter? 

We're given the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  We're given the Shield of Faith.  Are you at all getting comfortable using them?  In these same Scriptures we read that Believer's are indeed soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ.  As soldiers do, they are always active in being comfortable using their offensive and their defensive weapons to the best of their ability. 

We aren't to come to Christ then act like we're on vacation until either we are called home to Heaven or the Rapture of the Church happens. 

Our lived are hidden in Christ Jesus. Our hand in in His to be lead through life, not to sit down on a bench or beach waiting for life to end. 

The Bible is not just history, it's His Story.  Have you at all attempted to read it all the way through?  He intended for us to.

The Kings of the nation of Israel were expected to write their own copies of the Word of God as they had them.  To make it personal.

Is your time with Jesus personal?  Or do you actually treat Jesus like personnel?  

Jesus is Truth.  So be truthful.  How are you viewing and interacting with Your Savior?  

In this truthful Spiritual War we are REALLY in...are you at all aware of the schemes of the Devil?  Are you at all seeking out what to do to fight against these things that are seeking to get your attention away from God?  Have you knuckled under when temptation taps you on the shoulder so often that you don't even recognize that you SHOULD be resisting?

Going into 2024...pick up your Bible and get serious about what the Spirit is serious about.  Make it a point to be growing in Christ, not sitting idle.  Get rid of thoughts and feelings that are binding you from the righteous life that God desires for you.  Recognize the stumbling blocks that are keeping you from living life in such a way that people see your good works and might glorify your Father in Heaven.   

We aren't to be wimpy soldiers of the cross.   We were empowered by the Spirit of God.  We weren't left to our own devices to figure it out, we were given the Spirit of God to teach us.  Class is still in session until we are at home with Jesus Christ. 

The challenge to you is to really be serious about being who you are meant to be in Christ Jesus.  Forget resolutions.  Forget promises.  We're to be fully devoted followers of Christ.  End of story. 

It may mean giving up things in our lives that we don't recognize as stumbling blocks.  God certainly knows what is for you and I. Ask. Ask Him to cause your spiritual eyes to see what He wants you to see about you.  To see what needs to go and to give you the strength to follow through.

Do you get it yet?  We're here for a purpose.  A divinely appointed purpose.  

Are you at all fighting to fulfill that purpose?  Do you even try?

That's your thoughts for today.  

Be prepared to shed some baggage.  It may mean your favorite this or that.  If it's in the way of you being who you're meant to be in Christ, it needs to go. No "but God!"'s.  Cast it away from you.  The Bible says that God seeks true worshipers. Are you striving for that?  Worshipers who worship in Spirit and truth.  

Take a good look at 2023...

Take a good look at 2024.

Now is the time to be about the Father’s business.  Now is the time to be more in the Word of God than you have been.  Now is the time to be in personal prayer with Jesus.  Now. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.