Do More Than Pray

So many times we want to widdle our walk with the Lord to read your Bible and pray.  Read and pray will do it all.  Reading and praying is what Christians are called to do.  But that's not all.

Don't get me wrong...
We should read our Bible.
We should pray.

But there comes a time when we have to do more than just read and pray.

2 Timothy 2:4–6 (ESV) No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Paul relates our faith to being soldiers...

Soldiers submit their will to the will of the commander.  You are not called to fulfill your dreams, you are called to fulfill God's dream for the Earth.  You may not be in the station or place you desired, but you've been stationed by the Commander in Chief.  Do what He tells you.

Paul says it's like being an athlete.  We have obey.  We have to know the rules first!  Most of us are not familiar or we forget.  We need reminders.  Jesus repeated Himself constantly.  Peter said, "And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live." 2 Peter 1:13 (NLT)  He was constantly reminding people until his dying day.  We must obey.  Salvation is by grace, but blessing flows from obedience.  How often we forget, that it was a lack of obedience that destroyed the world with sin.

Paul says it's like being a farmer.  I was raised by a man who farmed as a hobby.  Believe me, it's hard stinking work.  Farmers get up early and stay out late.  They work with their hands, they get dirty, they get sweaty.  Christ followers - we must be willing to work!  It's not going to the beach.  It's not golf.  It's hard work and it must be done!  Peter said, 2 Peter 1:15 (NLT) I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

So yes, pray and read your Bible.  In some ways - that's the work you may need to start right now.  But in every area of your life, where you are failing consistently, where you're not seeing God's best, where you're drained and discouraged, perhaps that's the place where you need to submit, obey and put the effort in to see it through.  

I know my area... and now it's time to get to work.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for this wonderful reminder.  Thank you for being a Father who wants good things for His children, but also the kind of Father who believes His Children should take responsibility. So many times, we coast through this faith, and then we don't understand why we aren't seeing the results of Your absolute best for us. Forgive us, and stir us to remember to submit, obey and work hard in following after You!