For several years I have carried a burden on my heart for God’s people, and I have tried to respond to it in a way that would be pleasing in God’s sight and instructive and useful to those with whom I have contact and opportunity to share.

This hasn’t always made me popular!

My heart’s burden, my calling, is to help and encourage God’s people to realize that being a follower of Jesus Christ is more than just a Sunday morning endeavor; it is an entirely new way of life that is fully applicable seven days a week.  This is not to say that we don’t still make mistakes and mess up, for we do.  It is not to say that we must be superior to others, for we are not.  It is not to say that we will have something to brag about, for we must never do such a thing.

It is to say that we must take our life in Christ more seriously.  It is to say that we must be willing to put others first and to become the servants of all.  It is to say that we need to put self aside…

Looking back, many people have responded to this message, and I thank God for every single one; God has worked in many lives, including my own. For this, I claim no credit whatsoever, for I have only done what I have been called to do as a servant.  On a good day, I have done my duty; on a bad day I have not done enough. Yet, in spite of my personal imperfections, frequent mistakes and general unworthiness, God has used these efforts to His glory.  This is a good thing indeed!

There comes a time when we all need to take stock of our situations, and Paul provides us with guidance:

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)

So much has happened, so many have come so far; now is time to “pour it on” not time to rest and relax!  Each and every one of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to live as He would live, “more and more.” Did our Lord ever stop serving: NO!  He served even to death on the cross, and while we will probably not have to go to such a destination as the cross, we must keep on living for Him: “more and more.”

It’s time to sprint for the finish line, to pull out all of the stops and never ever give up the good fight!

If you would like to be challenged further, check out this post from another reader/blogger:

http://thegentlehome.wordpress.com/