Note of Encouragement "Put the Remote Down!" The Lord has been speaking to me about my desire to live an easy care-free life. This is a distraction I am working on. I would love to sit in my recliner every night and watch old seventies and eighties TV shows. Of course, I need a big bowl of buttered popcorn and cold soda. My basic attitude is, “Leave me alone.” But I have an unction from the Lord to resist this and instead let my light shine. God has a work to do - the Great Commission. The one who says he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:6. Recently, I read Proverbs One and the word complacency stood out. Proverbs 1:32 For the faithlessness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. The word complacency in the Hebrew is Salva. Strongs defines it as, security, abundance, peace (-ably) prosperity, and quietness. All of these things are desirable to my flesh. To live a secure, abundant, peaceful, prosperous, quiet life – LEAVE ME ALONE. When I think of the heroes of our Christian faith, I think of people who were not complacent. They were people of faith and action. Complacency will destroy us. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-9 Now keep in mind, someone might read this and think I need to do more. I think of young parents who have zero margin. We don't need to do more but simply walk in obedience. The key to this is seeking the Lord and then walking out His plan step by step. Let us encourage one another to press into the Lord’s “good works” he has prepared for us. Maybe your struggle is similar to mine, or totally different, but whatever it is, let us be honest about it. If possible, share with another brother or sister in the Lord and ask them to check in with you about your struggle. I hope and pray we will, "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 Not for our glory but that we would bring glory to our King Jesus! Blessings, Tom and Joy Bollig |