I have, sad to say, allowed myself to be stranded on two occasions because I neglected to notice the fuel gauge dipping into the red. Once was bad enough, but making that call to my husband the second time was downright humiliating. He’s been gracious over the years not to remind me, but I have definitely learned my lesson. When I drop below a quarter tank, it’s time for a fill up. If I’m making a trip by myself to visit the children, he tops off the tank for me. It’s an important discipline that I learned the hard way.
How are your resolutions holding up as we near the end of the second month of the new year? Are you eating healthier or is Lenten season another timely reason to give something up? Are you more active, more hospitable, more forgiving, or whatever you intended to accomplish in the 365 days allotted to 2023?
Maybe you’re one of the millions each year who decide to set aside time to grow their faith relationship. It’s a worthy goal no matter your age or spiritual maturity because this side of heaven, we’ve always got room to grow. God intends for His children to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus.
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
And having chosen them, he called them to come to him.
And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself.
And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”
Romans 8:29-30 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.29-30.NLT
“And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.3.18.NLT
“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.
And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
2 Corinthians 5:18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.18.NLT
We cannot coast in our faith. We must be deliberate about moving forward with momentum or we will backslide, like it or not. The world will press in around us, choking out the light of life by means of busyness or distraction. If the word of God is not ever before us, we will be conformed to the pattern of the world, not the image of Christ.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.2.NLT
If you feel like you’re moving from crisis to crisis, exhausted in between, you may simply be running on empty, out of spiritual fuel. If you feel inadequate, inefficient, inept, or ineffective, there are probably a million reasons why and dozens of solutions but how will you know which ones to choose? What is your next step?
There’s no shortage of people willing to advise you, but there is only One who knows the path you are on and the way to your final destination. He promises to walk with you each step of the way. You don’t need an appointment. He’s everywhere you are by His Spirit and He invites you to abide with Him. (John 15:5) He’s here to stay and He promised never to leave or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Make God’s Word a priority- no, make it THE priority. Jesus came as the Living Word- the embodiment of God and His revelation of Himself to humanity for our sakes. (Colossians 1:19-20) He left His Spirit and His Word behind to strengthen all who would believe in Him. You wouldn’t skip the gas station with your fuel gauge in the red. God’s gift is available 24/7/365 without cost! (Isaiah 55:1)
“Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
“Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.”
Isaiah 55:2-3, 6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.2-6.NLT
Jesus told His first followers that it was better for them if He returned to the Father. Then our Advocate, the Comforter, Encourager, Counselor, the Holy Spirit of God would come and never leave. This indwelling Spirit teaches us, as an interpreter would, the language of God. (John 16:7, 14:16-17) Any time you are able to understand or recall Scripture, the Holy Spirit is at work within you, teaching and guiding you. Jesus prayed that all who follow Him would be sanctified- made holy- by God’s Word, which is truth, and that through us, the world would recognize Jesus as God’s Son.
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.
All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.
I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.
And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
John 17:9-10, 15-21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.9-21.NLT
“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world.
It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.
All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.
May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.
He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”
Colossians 1:6, 9-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.1.6-9.NLT
We’re on a one way trip. It may seem long, but it’s actually quite brief, like a vapor in light of eternity. Jesus ensured our final destination when He endured the cross and rose victorious. Don’t get stranded along the way, bogged down by the cares of this world. Keep your tank filled with God’s Word and keep taking the next step. God is with you. You are never alone.
A Fitting Reply 