Is there an attitude out there that wimps out on God’s Word and teaching? Do we water God’s Word down to get ourselves off the hook? Do we start out believing God for His purpose in our lives and, if it appears to us not to be working, do we then decide it can’t have been His will? Is that wimping out?

I’m very pleased Moses or David or Jesus (and so many others) didn’t do that. The crucifixion appears the ultimate in our view of “not working out” but, as we know, it was God’s plan.

Moses was in training for 40 years before he was called and then he lost his argument many times before the exodus and after that his people let him down so many times. I’m sure there were times in his life as a fugitive and as God’s messenger he thought things were “not working out.”

Do we look at our circumstances (instead of at God) and decide maybe we were wrong? Moses “stepped out” often. Do we?

I was told of a minister leaving the word “wretch” out of the song Amazing Grace because someone may be upset! We are wretches! One day we will all realise (one way or another) just what Christians have been saved from! That’s why we need to learn to “step out” for God and His salvation promises.

It often seems the way now of just asking people to raise a hand (while others are praying) to commit their lives to Jesus, instead of making a personal public stand; “stepping out” for God as He did, and does, for us.

People need to know that stepping out for Jesus (as hard as it can be) is joining God’s army. It shouldn’t be a hidden thing while all heads are bowed and all eyes closed. To make that first step takes courage and it should be displayed, enjoyed, encouraged and celebrated by all. That stepping out soul has just become eternal. Salvation has entered their house. They have been born again. Please don’t hide it quietly away.

Life following that commitment can be very difficult and the new soul needs to know there are many others who will stand by them in times of trouble (and there will be trouble when the enemy finds out).

We seem to be afraid to preach about tithing, and when the words “wives submit to your husbands” appear, people almost run for the hills. When the word “men” is mentioned in some verses, I’ve heard the word “women” added to it.

Are we so busy looking at ourselves we forget to look at, and understand, what God’s Word is actually saying? If we are upset about something God’s Word says, perhaps that’s just where we need to start.

Are we trying to be PC and pretty and not upset anyone? Sometimes we need upsetting! We need to learn and grow.

Life can be very difficult sometimes and we need the stamina to stand up against the enemy’s attacks. That’s how we learn and grow to be the Christians God wants us to be.

As the song says; “We fall down, we get up again.”

Personally, I want to hear God say to me, “Well done good and faithful servant!” Praise God for his love and promises.

– Sue Cuthbert
Northland