Post by Michele on Feb 22, 2007 11:54:27 GMT -5
Be Enthusiastic!
"Serve the Lord enthusiastically." Romans 12:11 NLT
Life can become humdrum and wear you down. For example, a job that once challenged you can get monotonous, a relationship that was exciting and fresh can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that once elated and inspired you can feel like you're going through the motions. Enthusiasm comes from a Greek word meaning "inspired by God." Just as the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every morning in the wilderness, you need a daily infusion of God's Spirit to "fan into flames the… gift [He] gave you" (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT). Even when things aren't going especially well, Paul encourages us to "serve the Lord enthusiastically," adding, "It is good to be zealous [passionate and fully committed] in a good thing always" (Galatians 4:18 NKJV).
So instead of going around complaining, put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. It's amazing how "lucky" you get when you change your attitude and approach! Sheldon Vanauken says: "The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians - when they are somber and joyless, when they are self righteous and smug in complacent consecrations, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths." Life wasn't meant to be a journey to the grave with the goal of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather a race to the finish line, used up, totally fulfilled, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!" Poet Maya Angelou says, "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, 'I'm with you kid. Let's go!'" We should be the most enthusiastic people in the world, because not only have we a great future, we have "abundant life" now!
Bob Gass Ministries
"Serve the Lord enthusiastically." Romans 12:11 NLT
Life can become humdrum and wear you down. For example, a job that once challenged you can get monotonous, a relationship that was exciting and fresh can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that once elated and inspired you can feel like you're going through the motions. Enthusiasm comes from a Greek word meaning "inspired by God." Just as the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every morning in the wilderness, you need a daily infusion of God's Spirit to "fan into flames the… gift [He] gave you" (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT). Even when things aren't going especially well, Paul encourages us to "serve the Lord enthusiastically," adding, "It is good to be zealous [passionate and fully committed] in a good thing always" (Galatians 4:18 NKJV).
So instead of going around complaining, put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. It's amazing how "lucky" you get when you change your attitude and approach! Sheldon Vanauken says: "The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians - when they are somber and joyless, when they are self righteous and smug in complacent consecrations, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths." Life wasn't meant to be a journey to the grave with the goal of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather a race to the finish line, used up, totally fulfilled, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!" Poet Maya Angelou says, "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, 'I'm with you kid. Let's go!'" We should be the most enthusiastic people in the world, because not only have we a great future, we have "abundant life" now!
Bob Gass Ministries
