Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

There is more to the Christian life than simply professing to be a Christian. Christ teaches during the Sermon on the Mount that just because a person who professes to be a Christian, it does not mean that they will enter the kingdom of heaven. Christ gives the example of how many will claim to have prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works all in the name of Christ. Nonetheless, even though the person was doing these mighty deeds in Christ�s name and professed to be Christ�s, it does not automatically entitle them to live forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Paul is presenting his innocence to king Agrippa. While he is presenting his case, Paul shares his testimony of how he was called by God on the road to Damascus. Paul shares how God spoke to him that he was to preach to the Gentiles. Paul is quick to share how he had not departed from God�s vision for his life.

Paul understood what God was instructing him to do and he did it. Paul�s testimony was that he heard God�s instruction for his life and that while the road Paul was instructed to travel was not easy, Paul obeyed God and remained faithful to God�s calling. Paul had a clear vision from God and he was not going to allow himself to be distracted from doing the perfect will of God.

Acts 18:9-10 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Paul was in the city of Corinth preaching the gospel unto the Jews. However, the Jews rejected the truth and Paul shook his cloth and told the Jews that their blood was on their own heads and that he was now going to only preach to the Gentiles. Paul evidently had some fear in his life that because of his actions, the Jews were going to kill him. Paul must have been considering leaving the town of Corinth because God came to him by night and told him not to be afraid.

Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Paul was in Troas when he received a vision of a Macedonia man asking him to come to Macedonia. After receiving this vision, Paul determined that the Lord was speaking to him and as such, Paul and his companions immediately obeyed God and left for Macedonia. There was no hesitation in Paul�s actions; he had heard God�s direction. Paul had desired to go into Asia but he had been told no, he did not go. He then desired to go to Bithynia but the Spirit stopped that. When God opened the door, Paul was ready to follow God�s direction.

Acts 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Peter had simply obeyed God instruction for his life in preaching to Cornelius. Yet, when he returned to Jerusalem, he had to answer to the other apostles and brethren as to why he had fellowship with a gentile. The Christians in Jerusalem had not received the vision Peter had received and as such, Peter�s actions appeared to be unacceptable.

Peter knew that he had a clear conscience before God but he still had to give a reason for his departure from the Jewish tradition. The Christian�s in Jerusalem at this moment were more concerned about the tradition of the Jews being violated then they were that Cornelius and his house had been baptized. The apostles were very godly men, but at this particular time in their life, they had lost focus upon thinking upon those things that are true, just and of a good report.

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture,
and preached unto him Jesus.

Philip was commanded by God to go into the desert. While he was in the
desert, he saw an Ethiopian eunuch passing by reading the prophet
Isaiah. God told Philip to join himself to the chariot and Philip
obeyed. Philip was invited to join the Ethiopian and he asked Philip
whether the prophet spoke of himself or of another. Philip took the
scriptures and shared the gospel. The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized that
very day.

The Ethiopian eunuch was spiritually ready to hear the truth. He had

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Peter and the other apostles had been teaching in the temple but the high priest had them thrown into a prison. During the night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and commanded them to go back to the temple and preach. The next morning when the high priest sent for them, the guards were seen intently guarding an empty prison cell. The guards found the apostles obeying God teaching in the temple.

The high priest asked the apostles whether they understood that they had been commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and the other apostles answered that they are to obey God rather than man. They then went on to give the good report that they had witnessed Jesus� death, burial and resurrection. The apostles informed the high priest that they were filled with the Holy Ghost because they chose to obey God.

Daniel 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Daniel was one of the three presidents placed by Darius over the entire kingdom of Babylon. The other two presidents and the 120 princes under the presidents were jealous of Daniel. Daniel had an excellent spirit that caused the king to set him over the whole realm. These other 122 men were so hungry for power, they were looking for ways to cause Daniel to do something wrong to cause Darius to lose favor in Daniel. Nonetheless, they could not find anything that Daniel did wrong.

Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea And the Lord said to Hosea, Go take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of woredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.

�Lord, you want me to do what?� You can just hear Hosea second-guessing the Lord trying to figure out if he heard the Lord correctly. God had spoken to Hosea and HE told Hosea to take a prostitute for a wife. God was preparing a life message through Hosea, and thus Hosea was required to marry a woman who had not been faithful. Hosea may have been faithful in waiting for the right woman to marry, but God was asking him to allow his life to be an example to Israel of God�s faithfulness and the children of Israel had strayed from their relationship with God.

Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Pharaoh commanded Shiphrah and Puah, two Hebrew midwives, that if a male child was born to an Israelite, that they were to kill the child but if a female child was born, then they were to let her live. However, the midwives feared God and they refused to obey the commands of Pharaoh but instead allowed the male babies live. Because the midwives feared God more then man, scripture tells us that �God dealt well with the midwives� and �that he made them houses.�

Exodus 4:10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

God has just told Moses that he is to go and tell Pharaoh to let the nation of Israel go. Moses argues with God about how no one will believe him or hear his voice and God gave Moses two miracles Moses could do; turn the rod into a snake and cause his hand to be leprous. After God gave Moses these two signs, Moses next excuse was that he was not eloquent of speech and as such, he needed an assistant.

God told Moses that HE made the mouth and that Moses was to go and God would teach him what to say. However, Moses was reluctant and he insisted that God give him an assistant. Moses simply did not have the faith to trust that God could use his weakness. God gave Moses Aaron as an assistant. It was Aaron who led the people into worshiping the golden calf. God�s perfect plan was to use Moses� weakness so that God would be glorified and receive all the glory. Moses had received a great calling and while he obeyed, he hampered his ministry because he did not have the faith to trust God to work through his weaknesses.

II Chronicles 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.

The children of Moab and of Ammon arose to do battle against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Rather then run and raise an army, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout the land. Jehoshaphat went to the temple and reminded God that it was by HIS power that the land was given to them and that the nation had built the Lord�s temple. Scripture is clear that all of Judah came before God seeking HIM in this trial. Scripture tells us that even the little ones, the children, and the wives stood before God.

Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me, neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Esther understood that the Jews were about to be destroyed. Esther did not know what to do since the king had not bidden her to come into him for a period of time. Mordecai, Esther�s uncle, asked her �whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?� Esther�s response was to commit to going before the king even though it may mean her life, but she requested that Mordecai gather all the Jews together and that they humble themselves by fasting.

Genesis 26:2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

While Isaac was sojourning in the land of Canaan, a famine arose in the land just as a famine had occurred during the life of Abraham. Isaac must have been contemplating doing as his father did by traveling to Egypt during the famine. However, God had different plans for Isaac, and God came and spoke to Isaac about staying in the Promised Land. Isaac heard the voice of God and he obeyed.

God told Isaac that if he stayed in the Promised Land that HE would be with Isaac and would bless him. God told Isaac that it was through his seed that he would give the Promise Land to. God gave Isaac the same promise he gave Abraham that his seed would multiply. God told Isaac the reason all these blessings were being bestowed upon him and his seed was because �Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.�

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Christ is made manifest to the entire world by your obedience to HIS instructions for your life. By faith you hear God and by faith you will do those things that God desires you to do. When you whole-heartedly follow God�s instruction for your life, HE will lay a burden upon your heart as to where you are to go and what you are to do. As you follow HIS direction, HIS name is lifted up to those whom HE has prepared to draw closer to HIMSELF. Your obedience of faith brings HIM glory.

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Just because a brother or sister in Christ is weak in the faith, it does not give you the right to avoid fellowship with that individual. In this verse, Paul commands the church to receive those who are weak in the faith. However, you are not supposed to receive those who are weak for the purpose of honing your debate skills. Remember how Paul taught you in I Corinthians 13 that the most important thing is love.

If you are receiving your weaker brother or sister for the purpose of debating them and showing them the higher calling of God, then your lack of love will probably be evident to them and they will be more likely to reject the truth that you are attempting to share with them. Instead, when you receive a weaker brother and sister, you have an obligation to demonstrate to them your love for them.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Do you desire to increase your faith? Have you have read the stories of individuals from the Bible who have demonstrated great faith and wished that God would bless you in a similar manner? Have you read biography of Christians who did great things for God because of their faith and wished that your life would have a similar testimony?

Scripture tells you what you must do in order to live a life of faith. The instructions are actually rather simple. If you desire to have faith, then you must hear God. Once you hear God, all you have to do is trust in HIM and obey that which HE has commanded you to do. When you live your life simply obeying God, you will quickly find God working through you in ways you never expected.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

How many times have you heard someone say that because we live in the age of grace, the law is of no effect? In Matthew 5:17, Jesus told us, �Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.� The simple truth is that Jesus never said that the law was over and neither did the Apostle Paul. God no longer requires the sacrifices outlined in the Old Testament. These sacrifices are not necessary because God made the Perfect Sacrifices that made the need for animal sacrifices no longer necessary. The main difference between before Christ and after Christ is that instead of us making a sacrifice to appease our guilty conscience, now one only needs to turn to Jesus Christ and ask HIM to blot out all your sins.

Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

God created everyone in this world. God created the Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Asians, Africans, Indians, Europeans, and every other tribe, nation, or people. The same God that created you is the same God that created Karl Marx. While God loves HIS creation and desires to have fellowship with HIS creation, the sin nature of man has prohibited God�s desire. However, God�s gift to mankind opened the door so that all who believe in the Son might have eternal life and renewed communication with God.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

In this verse, Paul reminds us that it is not the toiling of the law that makes one innocent before a Holy God, but it is the faith that sets one free. Remember the young ruler came to Jesus and asked HIM what he should do to obtain eternal life. Jesus told the young ruler that he needed to obey the law. The young ruler replied that he had obeyed the commandments from his youth. Jesus then replied that the young ruler needed to sell all that he had and to come follow Jesus. This young ruler may have followed the law, but he left that day a condemned man because he did not have the faith to follow Jesus.

Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Paul starts out his letter to the church at Rome with this phrase �obedience to the faith�. In the second to last verse of this letter, Paul states �But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:� Romans 16:26. The phrase obedience of faith is used only twice in this letter, but the placement of the phrase at the beginning and the end of the letter is telling as to the significance of the principle.

Genesis 22:12 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac upon the altar, when all of a sudden Abraham heard the voice of an angel calling him. Abraham�s ears were prepared to hear the voice of God. Abraham was prepared to hear from God and Abraham did hear from God. If Abraham had been so wrapped up in what he was doing, he could have easily missed God�s message to him.

Abraham understood the importance of always being ready to hear the voice of God. Regardless of where you are at or what you are doing, you need to be ready to hear God. Samuel heard God�s voice while he was in bed, David heard God while fleeing from his enemy, Moses heard God on a mountaintop, Daniel heard God�s voice through a vision, Joseph heard God while in prison, and Elijah heard God through a still small voice. God speaks in many different ways, and regardless of where you are or what you are doing; you need to be prepared to hear God.

Genesis 22:1-2 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

What would you do if God told you give back to HIM, something that HE promised you; something that you had waited a long time for; something that you really loved? Abraham had a close relationship with God. Abraham clearly heard the voice of God. Abraham was probably not happy to hear these instructions from God, but Abraham knew that it was vital that he obey God immediately. By faith Abraham obeyed God.

Genesis 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

The promised child Isaac was finally born to Abraham and Sarah and Ishmael was found mocking Isaac. Sarah requested that Abraham remove Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham had a decision to make and he did not know what to do. God came to Abraham and told him to send Ishmael and Hagar away and that God would make a nation out of Ishmael because he was Abraham�s son. However, God stated that it was Isaac who was the promised child and it was through Isaac�s seed that God�s promise would be fulfilled.

Genesis 21:3-4 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

It has been a year since God�s last recorded conversation with Abraham and it had been ten years since God made a covenant with Abraham. When God made a covenant with Abraham, he told Abraham that, Sarah�s son should be called Isaac. In addition, a part of the covenant between Abraham and God was that all of his seed was to be circumcised on the eighth day. Ten years after God made a covenant with Abraham and left specific direction for Abraham to follow, Abraham demonstrated his faith by obeying.

Genesis 17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son an all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham�s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

God told Abraham a new thing. No one knew what circumcision was. Nonetheless, Abraham did not take time to second-guess God. God told Abraham what to do and Abraham did it in the same day. It did not matter that it was new, it did not matter that no one else was doing it, all that mattered is that God commanded it and Abraham immediately followed God�s commands.

Genesis 12:7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

God had told Abraham to go but HE did not tell Abraham where to go. Abraham obeyed God and he began to travel through many countries. When Abraham reached the land of Canaan, God appeared to him once again and told Abraham that he had reached the land that his children were going to inherit.

Abraham did not know where he was going until he got there, yet nonetheless, he demonstrated his faith by simply obeying God and trusting God that he would make HIS will clear in due time. Abraham did not have any children, but in this verse God told him a second time that HE was going to bless him with children. God understood Abraham�s human nature and that is why God was willing to encourage Abraham by constantly reminding him of HIS promises.

Upon hearing that God had directed his path to the land that HE desired Abraham to sojourn in, Abraham built an altar before the Lord. Abraham honored God by worshiping God and acknowledging that the Lord was directing HIS steps. Abraham understood that it was God that sent him and it was God who had directed him to his final destination. Abraham acknowledged God�s faithfulness in his life.

As Abraham traveled from country to country, you could imagine that he saw some beautiful land and he probably inquired of the Lord if this land was the land that God desired him to settle in. However, since Abraham did not know where he was going, he was required to keep traveling until the Lord once again appeared to HIM and showed HIM that he had finally reached the promised land.

God will often work in a similar matter with you. God desires that you demonstrate your faith by your wiliness to obey HIM regardless of the circumstances around you. God will not always show you the way that HE would have you to go but HE does tell you to simply trust HIM. You desire to have all the details before you start but God does not always want you to have all the answers. Instead, God desires that you learn to simply trust HIM. God desires that you build a relationship with HIM so that you can hear HIS still small voice and so that HE can be magnified through you as you demonstrate your wiliness to obey HIM even though you lack all the details.

People will think you are crazy when you obey God without having all the details. You can imagine the strange looks that Abraham received from his family when he told them he was leaving them but that he did not know where he was going. Just as Abraham was rewarded for HIS walk in faith, so too, God can work through you in ways you never imagined if you will be willing to trust in HIM and take one step at a time.

God is more concerned with your relationship with HIM then HE is with your desire to have everything in order. If you are able to hear the Lord�s voice and you are willing to obey HIM wherever HE desires you to go, then God is ready to use you in a mighty way. Remember the first step of great faith begins with a relationship with God whereby you can hear HIS voice so as to know when to start and know when to stop.

Genesis 12:1-2 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father�s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

These verses are the first recorded conversation between God and Abraham. What we know about Abraham at the time of this encounter was that he was 75 years old, he lived in Haran, that his father Terah had recently passed away as did his brother Haran. Scripture also makes clear that his wife Sarai was barren.

Look at the instructions that God gave Abram. These instructions are not exactly the most detailed instructions. Abram was not told where he was going; he was simply told he had to leave where he was at. Abram was told that God would bless him but he really did not explain how he was going to bless him. God said that he would be the father of a great nation, but Abram was already 75 years old and he had a barren wife. This first recorded conversation is not the clearest instruction that one could receive. Yet that did not stop Abram from hearing God�s voice and obeying the Lord.

Would you know who Abraham was today if Abraham had chosen to stay in Haran? Abraham would not be known as the father of faith if he did not obey the Lord and step out in faith. Abraham was commanded by God to leave his comfort zone in order to go into the world of the unknown in order to receive promises that seemed impossible.

There is no indication that Abraham questioned God�s direction, but that Abraham simply trusted the Lord and followed the Lord�s leading. Abraham did not require that God give him all the details but instead was willing to take the vague instructions and start obeying. We do not know if this is the start of Abraham�s relationship with God or if he had been maintaining a relationship with God for a period of time. However, while we do not know when the relationship began, we do know that because Abraham demonstrated obedience to follow God�s direction for his life, that Abraham had many significant conversations with God and we see several incredible instances where God really blessed Abraham.

Abraham did not become a great man of God overnight. Abraham�s faith in God grew as he drew closer to God. While Abraham was a man and did make many mistakes, the reason he is remembered today is because of the relationship that he maintained with the Lord. While Abraham had his days of unbelief and did things that were not the Lord�s perfect will, it was because of Abraham�s faith and his relationship with the Lord that caused God to use Abraham as such a powerful example of faith.

Abraham was not called to do some great act of serves for the Lord, Abraham was simply told to get away from his father�s house. Abraham left the known in order to live in a place where he had to rely upon God on a daily basis for provision, protection and direction. God desires that you come to the place where you are not relying upon yourself. God desires that you be like Abraham were the most important thing to you is your relationship with God and your desire to live your life so that God can use you. God wants to be all you need, the question for you to answer, are you willing to live by faith?

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

In the early church, there were many apostles who not only taught about their faith, but they ended up dieing for their faith. These individuals not only talked the talk but they also were able to walk the walk. They were excellent examples to all of how you are to totally dedicate your life to the cause of Christ.

You should have around you individuals who you respect who are practicing what they preach. It is important for your spiritual growth that you surround yourself with individuals who have demonstrated the ability to live by faith. While God has given you the Bible which is full of stories of individuals who walked according to their faith, you still need examples of individuals who are currently living who have seen the power of God in their life in a dynamic way.

You can read the stories of Abraham�s faith, however, because it happen so long ago, you naturally have a hard time relating to how long Abraham had to wait for the fulfillment of God�s promise of a son. Because you are able to read the entire story of Abraham�s life in a matter of minutes, the concept of time has a way of clouding Abraham�s struggle to believe God and to obey HIM.

However, when you take the stories of great faith from the Bible and you combine with the stories of people who you know who faced great struggles and overcame, this should give you the confidence that you are serving a living God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is this that you should remember when you face your own struggles. When you are tempted to give up or to do it your own way. God has given you the tools to enable you to overcome, the question now becomes whether you will use these tools.

The battle for your faith begins with your mind. Until you learn to take control over your mind and fill it with stories of those who overcome, you are setting yourself up for failure. Satan desires to cause you to stop following God�s instruction for your life by causing you to be discouraged.

The storms of life are tumultuous. However, you are commanded to remember the example of those who have faced similar trials and have remained faithful. God does not desire that you fail, that is why HE does not allow you to face a trial that you are not able to overcome. God has given you the tools to overcome, but it is up to you to take those tools and to use them. The tool of controlling your thoughts is an important one if you desire to remain faithful. You must learn to understand how God has been faithful to others and how that same faithfulness is reserved to you if you will only obey.

You are going to face difficult times during your Christian life. It is during these times that you must seek out those who have faced similar trials and who have overcome. Use their examples as motivation to you to give you the strength to do what is right in the eyes of God. It is up to you to do what is right, but before you can do what is right, you have to take control of your mind and fill it with examples of success. Then you will be in a position that you can weather the storm.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If you desire to have greater faith, then you need to look no further then the life of Jesus. Jesus� life reveals all that you need to know about faith. Your faith�s foundation is based upon the life of Jesus. Your faith will take full circle and conclude with Jesus when you receive your reward in heaven for your faith. Without Jesus, your faith would be empty.

It is because of Jesus� birth, death and resurrection that you are able to have restored communication with God. Jesus was not just another good man who lived on this earth. Because of HIS life, you can be free from the snares of sin and death. You believe that Jesus died for your sins; how could you have such faith without Jesus? Without Jesus, you would be like the Old Testament Jews who were under the law and were required to make all kinds of sacrifices in order to be right with God. However, because of Jesus� life, you are able to walk by faith, understanding that Jesus� life enables you to be free.

Jesus is the finisher of your faith in that when you die, it is Jesus� death and resurrection that enables you to go straight to heaven. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God waiting for you. You understand that Jesus� blood washed away your sins so that when God looks at you, HE sees no transgressions, all HE sees is HIS only Son�s blood.

Jesus� life is not only the foundation and completion of your faith, it is also your example. Next time you are going through a difficult time, all you need to do is remember the suffering of Jesus. Jesus not only endured the cross, but HE endured the cross with joy. Jesus did not have any desire to die on the cross and HE specifically asked God to take the cross from HIM. However, God did not remove Jesus� burden and Jesus proceeded with the will of God knowing that God was going to be magnified through HIM. Jesus understood that HE was to be an example to you in faith, and as such, HE first had to set the example of yielding HIS rights in order to do that which God desires.

Jesus understood that it was not HIS will that was to be done but that it was the will of HIS Father. While Jesus suffered greatly in doing HIS Father�s will, HIS suffering was necessary so that God�s will could be fulfilled. At various times in your life, you will go through difficult trials. During these difficult trials, you will have the desire to give up. Having the thought of giving up is not a sin as Jesus was without blemish and HE asked God to take the cross away. However, it would have been sin for Jesus to disobey HIS Father and refuse to go forward to HIS death. When Satan tempts you with giving up, use the temptation to drive you to take joy that God has seen fit to allow you to suffer for HIS glory. Understand that your trials are producing greater faith in you so that God can be magnified through your life.

Jesus was asked to do a difficult thing and HE remained faithful to God. Jesus is an example to you in how you must obey God and follow HIM regardless of how difficult things may get. Living a life pleasing to God will never be easy. It will be difficult to hear God�s still small voice and obey HIM when things around you appear to be falling apart. All you need to do is look at Jesus and follow HIS perfect example.