Posts Tagged ‘effort’

How Comfortable Are You?

Posted: April 30, 2023 in Something to think about
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After watching the chaos and mayhem of this world over the last few months, it is clear to me who is in charge…our collective enemy, Satan. Moreover, if you have ever read any of my posts, you know that  I have talked about “navigating the path” we all face as Christians during this critical time. Things are not easy for believers. Especially when I watch what is happening in the United States towards the people of our faith I find myself stunned. We are truly under attack. That statement is not meant to scare you but to remind you…

But…the name of this blog involves comfort. So you may ask how do I get from the statements I made above to being comfortable? That is what I want to talk about today. You see, even in the midst of this storm I mentioned above, there are Christians that don’t feel the pressure of this world against them. Frankly, to me, IS the scary part. Why? Because they have gotten too comfortable. Here is what I mean-

Ahh, yes… “Comfort” has become one of our favorite words, and most effective tools. Because when you’re comfortable, you don’t rock the boat. You don’t challenge corruption. You don’t take any chances on greatness. You don’t critically look at yourselves. Nefarious, “A Nefarious Plot”. Page 23.

If you do not know what Nefarious is, look it up. It is a movie and a book by Steve Deace that is written by a demon who is a General and works for Satan. The paragraph above is important because it illustrates my point; if you(me) become too comfortable with your(our) personal situation(s), then you(me) are NOT a threat to the enemy.

Look at what Christ says about this topic:

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25

So do I read that correctly? If I love my life I will lose it? Jesus was very clear in this verse about a Christian’s responsibility to hate his life while in this world. PLEASE understand me…There is NOTHING wrong with being happy… But being satisfied or comfortable with your situation; meaning you are in neutral and no longer in pursuit…those are the people Jesus is referring to. This behavior comes across to God as you only need Him when you are in trouble. So my attitude might be now with my house, my job, $ in the bank, my friends, and my local church…I am pretty comfortable. I have it going on…

Let me put it another way; when the things of this life are more important than your eternal future; When your desire for earthly success becomes more of a pursuit than your personal pursuit of God, that is what I am talking about today…and  I am desperately trying to wake you up.

If you love this life on earth, you WILL lose it. It is that simple. 

Guys, the remedy to all of this is a relationship with Christ that is ACTIVE. Not just on Easter and Christmas when you might attend church. It is a daily choice you make to seek Him. 

What I find interesting is that some guys approach a relationship with God with a“one and done” mentality. What I mean is, they say, “ I spoke to God when I was 10, and after that, I was a Christian. I haven’t actually prayed to Him since”. Let me be honest…THAT WILL NOT WORK.

What I have found is that you should approach your Christian more like being a member of your gym. If you regularly exercise, you probably are a fit person. If you don’t, then you are not. It is exactly the same way with God. If you participate in an active relationship with Him, YOU will know HIM and He will know you. 

If you don’t pursue Him, He will tell you at the end of your life, “ I never knew you”. Don’t believe me? Read this…

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Matthew 7:23

The bottom line…for you and for me is from Jeremiah 29:13-

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

When He says, ALL of your heart, He means it. He knows when you are apathetic and are simply just “mailing it in”. You have to make the choice and then work at it. I urge you to consider this post wholeheartedly and DO NOT get comfortable.

Until next time Guys-

Deace, Steve. (2017) “A Nefarious Plot.” Nashville, Tennesse. Post Hill Press. Page 23

Perseverance

Posted: March 12, 2023 in Inspirational
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I was walking through our facility recently and noticed an employee really struggling with a machine he was trying to operate. This guy was working hard, sweating, and really under some pressure but what I found strange was that his boss was nowhere to be found. As I surveyed the area closely, my eye came across his supervisor far off in a corner…almost hidden. When I went to see what he was doing, he told me he had his eye on this guy from a distance and he wanted to see how this young man would handle this equipment problem on his own. 

I turned around and looked back at the employee again with his head underneath the machine trying desperately to get the equipment to run right and then I looked back at the supervisor…Clearly, he noticed the look on my face and he said, “this is the kind of problem that can produce perseverance in someone”. I said, “perseverance?” where did that come from?” He said, “I have been doing this a long time…

In my younger days, I would run right over right and help the newbies every time they needed help…but I learned over time, this method really didn’t help them…What they needed was to persevere through the problem until they figured out the solution on their own, then they became the kind of operator we wanted working here”. I said, “Very impressive…and I agree with you”. But of course, that got me thinking about his lesson to this young man. So I went to the dictionary and I found the word; perseverance:

The continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

I know the word and I use the word but when I saw what it meant, I was kind of shocked. Perseverance was the word that was meant for this Iron Sharpens Iron blog audience…this is the foundation we are built upon because perseverance is exactly what God wants Christian men to have…

A little fortitude…a little toughness and a whole lot of perseverance.

Even more importantly, God has something to say on this subject and I found the scripture to back this up for us:

Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

So now it makes perfect sense right? Do you remember that poor guy at the beginning of my post that was struggling to get that piece of equipment to run? Well ultimately… he was successful and that success has made him a better employee…all because of the simple test his boss put him through…but I will point out one key point here…

HE DID NOT GIVE UP…He kept at it, even though it was hard…

And that is why God tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. He already knew before you were made all of the various predicaments you were going to find yourself in that ultimately would be opportunities to show that you can “get up off of the mat” when you are knocked down. So don’t just lay there…get up!

If you are a Christian, you will be tested. If you are tested, then hang in there because you just read a few lines ago that this same testing and adversity will produce a character quality that is huge for you…perseverance…

Because when you finally achieve the ability to “Keep on, keeping on”…in other words, perseverance. God will truly look down from heaven and smile at you…why?

Because He understands everything YOU went through to get there and He admires the person you became as a result…

Let me leave you with this verse:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Until next time guys…

Perseverance

Posted: September 5, 2014 in Inspirational
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

perseverence

I was walking through our plant the other day and noticed an employee really struggling with a machine he was trying to operate. This guy was working hard, sweating and really under some pressure but what I found strange was his boss was nowhere to be found? As I surveyed the area closely, my eye came across his supervisor far off in a corner…almost hidden. When I went to see what he was doing, he told me he had his eye on this guy from a distance and he wanted to see how this young man would handle this equipment problem on his own. I turned around and looked back at the employee again with his head underneath the machine trying desperately to get the thing to run right and then I looked back at the supervisor…Clearly he noticed the look on my face and he said, “this is the kind of problem that can produce perseverance in someone”. I said, “perseverance?” where did that come from?” He said, “I have been doing this a long time…In my younger days, I would run right over right and help the newbies every time they needed help…but I learned over time, this method really didn’t help them…What they needed was to persevere through the problem until they figured out the solution on their own, then they became the kind of operator I wanted working for me”. I said, “Very impressive…and I agree with you”. But of course, that got me thinking about his lesson to this young man. So I went to the dictionary and I found the word; perseverance:

Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

Wow…I know the word and I use the word all the time but when I saw what it meant, I was kind of shocked. Perseverance was the word that was meant for our Iron Sharpens Iron blog audience…this is the foundation we are built upon because perseverance is exactly what God wants Christian men to have…a little fortitude…a little toughness and a whole lot of perseverance.

Even more important, God has something to say on this subject and I found the scripture to back this up for us:

Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

So now it makes perfect sense right? Do you remember that poor guy at the beginning of my post that was struggling mightily to get that piece of equipment to run? Well ultimately… he was successful and that success has made him a better employee…all because of the simple test his boss put him through…but I will point out one key point here…

HE DID NOT GIVE UP…He kept at it, even though it was hard…

And that is why God tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. He already knew before you were made all of the various predicaments you were going to find yourself in that ultimately would be opportunities to show that you can “get up off of the mat” when you are knocked down. So don’t just lay there…get up!

If you are a Christian, you will be tested. If you are tested, then hang in there because you just read a few lines ago that this same testing and adversity will produce a character quality that is huge for you…perseverance…

Because when you finally achieve the ability to keep on, keeping on, in other words, perseverance. God will truly look down from heaven and smile on you…why?

Because He understands everything YOU went through to get there and He admires the person you became as a result…

Let me leave you with this verse:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Until next time Guys…