Hosanna Restoration Church

Why are we here? What are we supposed to do? What is my purpose in life? These are all questions that continue to run in the circle of our lives. For some they are an encouragement and for others they are a hammer that brings them down. As in everything, Jesus had a simple solution which Paul was able to pick up and pass on. He simply encouraged the folks to keep putting the things they had learned into practice.
This was really what Jesus was saying when He told us to go into the entire world and continue what He started; revealing God to all who would see. We are here as representatives of God. We are examples of His promises and His person. We are evidence of His ability to add His super to our natural.
In Chapter 3 of Philippians Paul told them that they needed to hold on to the progress they had already made. If we do not practice, we will lose what we have. I do not lift weights as much as I once did, nor to do run like I once did. As a result, I am not as strong, nor can I run as far or as fast. Now I realize that age may a reasonable excuse when it comes to the physical, but it just has no place when it comes to the spiritual. I can do even more through Christ who strengthens me as I not only hold on to the progress I have made, but also put it into practice.
We might think because we are doing ok in life that it does not matter if we practice, but in the long run we know that is not true. I used to play a lot of pool and did pretty well at it. When I ceased to have time or chose not to play much, I noticed on occasion that if I picked up a stick I could have very game, like I never lost the touch. Then the next game would reveal just how much out of touch I was.
Spiritually we might go along okay, but when the bottom falls out, we find out just how hard it is to manufacture something we have not kept in practice.
Recently I read a verse about trusting the Lord. It caused me to question whether I trusted Him as I should. Then I wondered if He could trust me! At times like that, we stand in place where we can be determined or discouraged. I could go downhill declaring that after all these years I am a failure. I should be stronger. God is telling me I do not trust Him enough and He cannot trust me at all. Or I could be determined to grow and keep putting it in practice. There is always room for improvement.
When I was in sports, I did not just want to be on the team; I wanted to be a starter. I did as well as I could when I wasn’t, but I still wanted to start. On God’s team, whoever wants to, can!