Welcome to God's Lemonade Stand

It is my hope that by reading this daily you will grow in your walk with Christ and knowledge of scriptures and be set free from any struggles in your life that are weighing you down. Be blessed to be a blessing.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

EFFORT, EFFORT, AND MORE EFFORT

Things that are worthwhile are not easy to get. To get a nice 'nest egg' it takes discipline and sacrifice, not the lottery. To become a medical doctor it takes years of study and practically nothing else while you are doing this. Building a successful business takes effort, determination and hard work. Writing a book is not an overnight thing either. Whatever is is you want to do you have to put in some effort and time if you want it to be successful. When it comes to getting in shape that takes effort too. You can not expect to look good in your clothes and perform like an athlete unless you take the time and effort, there's that word again, to go to the gym and work out or select some type of fitness routine such as running or walking. You will not just lose weight and get healthy by watching a lady exercise on TV. You have to get up off the couch and join in. Discipline and effort are what is required to compete in the Boston Marathon.

Proverbs 20:4, when speaking of work, says "Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing."
Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." If you want to be a success then it takes some effort. This is not about getting rich as the Bible talks about not seeking after riches but this is about working hard at whatever it is you do. Nothing good is just handed to us on a silver platter. God does bless some with wealth but we are not to focus or set our heart on it.(See Psalm 62:10).  The 'Donald Trumps' of this world did not gain their wealth without some work. It did not 'just happen'.

Also as a believer you can not expect to sleep on top of your Bible and have its knowledge just sink into your brain. You have to take the time and effort to read it and study it to know what it says. The Bible is not boring at all. Maybe the parts of the old testament with all the tricky names or thees and thous scare folks away but really there is so much in there to guide your life. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Make sure you work hard at what you do just as if you were working for the Lord. Are you honorable in what you do? Do you put forth time to read and study God's word? Do  you only do what is required at work and nothing more? Would people describe you as a go getter and faithful worker?

Be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:9 says "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." Work at what you do with all your might to include getting to know God. To know your friends you have to invest time and effort. To know Jesus you need to make time in your day to pray and study his word. It will not just happen by going to church for one hour on Sunday. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is  to read one book of Proverbs each day for 31 days. Try it for starters to get you into the word. Have fun getting to know God better.

PRAYER:Father it is my desire to set an example as a hard worker no matter if it is my job, at home, or getting into your word to know you better. Give me the discipline to stay on task and not be distracted by the pleasures of this world which draw me away from doing my best for you. Help me Lord to stay focused on getting to know you better. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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