Hosanna Restoration Church

Once, we were pulling a travel trailer against the wind and up long climbs, and I was watching the gas gauge move to the empty mark and then below. All I wanted was to continue to a gas station. I was praying and praising and encouraging the family to do the same. When we finally crested the long hill and took the exit to a gas station we rolled to a stop and the engine died right at the pump. I have praised God for that many times over many years. I did not want to be stopped along the road, I wanted to continue.

I sometimes think that we Christians forget how important it is to continue in our walk with the Lord. I think we forget to look at the tank and see that it is on empty. When I saw the tank going empty on that trip, I did not give up. I did not just pull over. I did not prepare the family to wait along the road. I prepared to continue the trip. I wanted to continue so I thought about God helping us out. I declared that he was my fuel source. Even if we had ended up alongside the road, we would have just changed our prayer and praise to asking God to send someone quickly with fuel.

Everyone wants good things to continue, but it is even more important to know how to continue when it is not looking so good. This is why God tells us to continue in our faith in Him. Our faith may be week, but He is faithful when we are not. He is strong when we are weak. Our Daddy can handle everything.

I do not remember one time growing up when I worried about shelter or food. I never hesitated to ask even if the answer was no. I did not quit asking just because I heard no on one accession. I expected that my folks had it handled. It stands to reason that we can expect God to have things handled.

Later in this chapter, Paul tells the folks about praying about everything and then he gave them a key to proper waiting. Once you have prayed, He said to continue to think about what was good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true, honorable, right, pure, beautiful and respected. In other words, if you want good things, fill your thoughts with God and His ability to perform, because all of these are God characteristics.

We can use this to overcome our tendency to think about how it will not work out based on what we can see or what have heard or experienced in the past.

Watch for folks who are stalled along the road. Be ready to give them the fuel they need to keep moving. Some are wrecked in the ditch without God or faith in Him; be prepared to bring them to life.

If we continue, we will have the strength to help others to continue or get a start. I pray that you are encouraged and built up by the Holy Spirit.