The Pinching

One addiction has been conquered and another rises to the service. When things begin to drop off – when you start dropping the baggage in your walk with Christ – what remains rises to the service. The pinching begins as God calls us to raise our standard to the way of life he has ordained for us as believers. It is a call to draw you even closer to Him and to walk worthy of the calling.

Ephesians 4 – “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Things become more challenging as He calls us back to making Him the center and the first priority again. It is amazing to me how many layers are uncovered as I strive to give everything to God. The flesh will always rise to contend with your spirit to glorify God. This is a very real and true aspect of the spiritual battle that we face every day. You have to resolve in your heart and mind to put God first. I haven’t always been successful in this area, however, I will never give up but continue to strive to fight the good fight of faith.

Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Eternity, eternal life with Jesus and our heavenly Father, is certainly worth it. He has already given us everything we need. The victory was won on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus died on the cross.

Going from glory to glory in the Lord is our life on earth, though definitely not our permanent home.

2^nd Corinthians 3:11 – “For if what was brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.”

As I write, I find that the focus needs to change from self to the Lord. Not our circumstances or what is going on around us, but what the will of the Father is for us. Jesus came to do the will of His Father, God the creator of heaven and earth. Can we not strive to be obedient to Christ because He was obedient unto death?