March 2005

Don’t Quit Now! Don’t Quit Ever!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“The Little Engine that Could.” That little train kept going and going – working, and struggling, straining and pulling, rolling and surging forward. And it didn’t quit. It just kept working and working.

If that little train stopped, it was in trouble. If that engine stopped trying, its chances of getting where it was going diminished rapidly. If that little engine stopped pushing forward, its chances of rolling back down the mountain it was trying to climb increased dramatically.

You, dear Christian, keep on going. Keep on encouraging fellow Christians. Continue being encouraged by your brothers and sisters in Christ. Gather together for worship and Bible Study. Find ways to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Don’t stop! Just keep on going! And in fact, increase your zeal and work!

Why? Because you won’t get to heaven if you don’t get enough stuff done for God now? No – of course not! Your salvation is a finished fact. And God’s free gift of forgiveness and heaven is what feeds and motivates your faith and your life now. If you’re not working for salvation, why should you and I try so hard? Why should we try at all? Keep pulling and working, encouraging, spurring, and meeting together:

† Because that’s the work that God gives to you now.

† Because the Word you’ll share and hear and follow is what feeds your faith and heart.

† Because you and your fellow Christians need support, help and encouragement.

† Because many hungry and dying souls need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Energizer bunny keeps going and going and going… Verizon Wireless claims to: “Never stop working for you.” In your life as a Christian, be like the Energizer bunny as you serve your God. Faithfully do what he asks of you. Keep going and working and doing. As you live with fellow Christians and look to serve others, adopt Verizon’s motto as your own – “Never stop working for others.” And as you get to work, be comforted and motivated and empowered in knowing:

† That your Savior God has already completely done all of the salvation work for all people – including everyone you serve and you.

† That your Savior God will never stop working for you.

from “40 Days With the Lord” March 4, 2005