Thought for Tuesday, February 7th

February 7, 2012

Being Determined

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:3-14

Quote of the Day:

“Let us, then, be up and doing.

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

To be a fully committed, totally surrendered servant for the Lord takes a great deal of determination.

Often it seems the harder we try to live a Godly life the greater the obstacles we encounter and have to overcome.

That is because the battle we face is not a physical one, but rather a spiritual one.  Remember, we are not fighting against physical foes; but rather against principalities and powers and spirits of wickedness.  The enemy of our soul roams to and fro and roars like a lion as he seeks to devour our joy, our peace, our hope and as he aims to break our resolve, weaken our commitment and distract and detract us from our desire to be servants for the most High God.

That is why determination is so important in our spiritual life.  We must be determined to commit no matter what.  We must be willing to trust God will deliver us and defend us just as He promises He will.  We must be determined to reach the prize of the high calling of God, through Christ Jesus as we without wavering run the race of faith to obtain God’s prize at the end of the course.

If you have not resolved to be determined then the devil will have an easy time getting you off course and derailed.

Are you determined to follow Jesus no matter what?

Are you determined to live for Him regardless of the cost?

Are you determined that you will live victoriously in Him, regardless of what men may say?

Are you determined to give your all for His glory? 

Today’s Prayer

Father you’re amazing beyond measure, glorious and righteous beyond degrees and you are greater than great and I want to praise and adore you.  Help me to stick to my resolve and to be renewed each day in my determination to seek your face, to do your will and to live for you.

“I have not yet begun to fight.”

-          John Paul Jones

“Word of God speak, pour down like rain…”

- from ‘Word of God Speak’ by Mercy Me