Remaining Faithful To The Call

Yesterday I wrote about getting a call from God, a request from him to serve him in ministry! I remember the day just as clear as if it happened yesterday. At first, I didn't think I wanted to do it. I gave up all sorts of excuses, but sooner than I would have imagined, I gave in and said, "Ok. But we have to do this together!" We have worked together through the last 25 years of my life. It has had some great moments and some bad moments, but I am still in full time ministry.

Over the years, I have had different influences in my life try to pull me away. At about the same time that I was starting the work at New Life in Winnebago, I had an opportunity to buy a meat market! It was so tempting, and if God had not intervened (another story in itself), I would have surely been pulled out of ministry with the work that market would have caused.

I have been continually tempted with sin in many different forms. Sin is just giving into my own evil desires. Sometimes I have stood successfully against it and other times I haven't done as well. But God has been always faithful and forgiven me as he says he will.

Most recently, my health has done a lot to drive me out of ministry. I have slowed down considerably, but I have not stopped. Again, I thank God for faithful partners in our effort to spread the good news across the area we live in and even around the world.

What's my point? Everyone of us face constant struggles in life--mostly designed by Satan to pull us away from serving the Lord and Savior who called us into the family of God. Stand your ground! Don't let the little things spoil your service to God! Most of the excuses I hear are so petty that I simply shake my head as I listen to them. Don't use excuses to show unfaithfulness toward a faithful God! Use backbone and stamina to stand firm for the Lord and serve him through thick and thin! Think about it!