Hosanna Restoration Church

As we walk the walk with Jesus, and that is what Christianity is, we find that there are times of acceleration and deceleration. In other words, sometimes we are really hot and pressing in, and other times we seem to come almost to a standstill.

There are pressures from the outside as well as pressures from the inside of us that tug and pull us in different directions. Sometimes a little failure will send us tumbling down the hill of despair and condemnation. Other times we will experience a little victory and we will be running way out ahead only to be found sitting down by the side of the road exhausted and discouraged that we could not keep sprinting ahead.

As we have now gone through a list of thoughts from position to prepare, it is needful that we acknowledge the need to practice these things that God has placed in our lives. As they say, practice makes perfect.

I was nearly 17 years old before I even tried to play the guitar. I had heard others do it. I thought it would be nice to do, but was convinced that I probably could not. Then a friend encouraged me to try, as it would be easier than trying to carry a piano around with me. Well I decided I would and in order to learn I had to practice. I practiced till my fingers bled on many occasions, but finally I could play well enough to sing along and that was what I wanted. Guess what? I still need to practice in order to keep my fingers in shape and trained to go where they should.

So far, two of my sons have been taught the same way I learned. They have both gone far beyond me in ability and I have a daughter who has begun as well. No matter what, it takes practice. None of us could just listen to someone else or buy a guitar and look at it. We had to pick it up and play it.

The same is true in our Christian faith. We cannot just sit and listen to someone else. We cannot just read the bible or hear it read. We have to put into practice what has been sown in our hearts. This scripture says to be strong and steady. We need to be strong when opposition arises so that we don’t fall back. We also need to be steady and growing. If we sprint out ahead, then we need to maintain our training so that we do not end up worn out and discouraged.

We also are told to be enthusiastic. We need to stand strong in our faith. Convinced that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and nothing is going to change that. If we are enthusiastic and not easily swayed the enthusiasm will catch on. And even if not everyone catches it, we can take comfort in the fact that nothing we do in the name of the Lord is useless. So let’s all keep practicing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.