No one has an excuse! Open your eyes and you know God exists, and God has a plan for you. He knows you better than anyone. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you were made to do. He knows what will make you soar with joy. Who doesn't want the best version of their life?
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5
We can't earn this or buy this. We can't earn or buy life no matter what we do or rich we are. So, how do we get this wonderful incredible version of life?
Tactic #1 Read the instruction manual:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
The Word is alive! It will speak to you. It will speak to your right now!
Tactic #2 Call the "Vendor/Customer Service":
Pray! Talk to God. Listen to God. Get into that ongoing conversation He wants to have with you.
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13
Tactic #3 Phone a friend:
We have each other. We need to seek each other out when we need help. We are a family. We are a community.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Today, church attendance is lower than it has been in history in this country. Part of it is that lots of people have never returned since Covid. They got too comfortable staying at home. 46% of protestant pastors surveyed are considering quitting. That is up from 27% in 2020.
We need each other.
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
Tactic #4 Use your resources:
Resources are things you have to help you.
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13
Do we ask? We need to ask. We need to listen. We need to follow Him. We need to obey -- believe what He says and do it. The Spirit is the Comforter and Teacher and Guide. Be sensitive to His moving. If we allow Him he will move through us.
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
God isn't finished with you yet. If you're alive you need to be growing. God's not done. He will open new doors. He will give us new insights. God has a plan. Let Him carry it out in your life!
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
You are not alone. You are not friendless. Attach yourself to the Rock!