My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
- Psalm 57:7
In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.
When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.
Press on with holy determination, and God’s plan will be fulfilled in your life.
Don’t Turn Anyone Away
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:15–16
It’s hard for us to understand the reaction of the disciples when parents brought their young children to Jesus for a blessing. Rather than welcoming them with open arms, they rebuked these parents who dared to bother the Lord with their babies. In the time of Christ, children (especially the very young) were not considered important or valuable. It appears that the disciples thought that the ministry of Jesus would be hindered if He stopped to bless these children who they thought would not benefit from it because they were so young. Jesus’ response was very different. He corrected the disciples and welcomed the children with open arms. In fact, He went on to use their innocence as an illustration of the process of salvation.
In this story we see a vitally important spiritual principle—we should never turn away anyone who wants to come to Jesus. The truth is that God calls us to reach sinners with the gospel, and if we obey that command, we will end up meeting and working with people who we could faithlessly assume won’t come to Jesus and whose lives are falling apart.
The gospel is not meant for those who already have everything together, but for those who recognize their need. Jesus said, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). We have the privilege of sharing the good news, and we need to not limit the scope of our outreach.
Luke 18:15–16
It’s hard for us to understand the reaction of the disciples when parents brought their young children to Jesus for a blessing. Rather than welcoming them with open arms, they rebuked these parents who dared to bother the Lord with their babies. In the time of Christ, children (especially the very young) were not considered important or valuable. It appears that the disciples thought that the ministry of Jesus would be hindered if He stopped to bless these children who they thought would not benefit from it because they were so young. Jesus’ response was very different. He corrected the disciples and welcomed the children with open arms. In fact, He went on to use their innocence as an illustration of the process of salvation.
In this story we see a vitally important spiritual principle—we should never turn away anyone who wants to come to Jesus. The truth is that God calls us to reach sinners with the gospel, and if we obey that command, we will end up meeting and working with people who we could faithlessly assume won’t come to Jesus and whose lives are falling apart.
The gospel is not meant for those who already have everything together, but for those who recognize their need. Jesus said, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). We have the privilege of sharing the good news, and we need to not limit the scope of our outreach.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Jesus never turns away those who come to Him in faith, and we should make them welcome as well.
A Steadfast Heart
by Joyce Meyer - posted August 11, 2016My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
- Psalm 57:7
In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.
When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.
Press on with holy determination, and God’s plan will be fulfilled in your life.
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