Day 1 - Week 46 - And the journey continues!

Hiking on down the trail, we've made it 1,000 miles!  Getting ready to head into the Pennsylvania stretch of the trail, which hikers have described as "a bit rocky."  But we know that when things get tough, we are called to persevere and just keep taking the trail a step at a time, always moving forward, and then before you know it, the path has smoothed out and you can look back and say, "With God's help, we did it!"  That's where we'll be in 54 weeks! Amazingly, we've been at the trail for almost a year...seems unbelievable to me...but it has certainly added a great dimension to my past year, and I can't wait to see what discoveries our journey will bring to light in the coming year!

Before we leave Maryland (or really before we leave our last verse!), I have to include another quote by J.C. Ryle regarding Romans 12:11, "Do not lack diligence, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."  This is just too powerful not to share!

Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way.  It is a desire which the Spirit puts in the heart of every believer when he is converted---but which some believers feel so much more strongly than others, that they alone deserve to be called zealous.  It impels them to make any sacrifice, to go through any trouble, to deny themselves to any amount, to suffer, to work, to labor, to toil, to spend themselves and be spent, and even to die, if only he can please God and honor Christ.

They see only one thing, care for one thing, live for one thing, are swallowed up by one thing, and that one thing is to please God.  Whether they live or whether they die; whether they have health or sickness, whether rich or poor; whether they please others or give offense; whether they are thought wise or foolish; whether they get blame or praise; whether they get honor or shame---for all this the zealous person cares nothing at all.  He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God and to advance God's glory.

Wow --- now that person is fervent in spirit, wouldn't you say?  Don't know if I'll ever get there in my journey or not, but it is certainly my goal---to abandon every other concern than pleasing God and bring Him glory.  Because I firmly believe with that as our foremost goal, all other concerns will fall into place.  God will provide for them who seek Him in such a dedicated and diligent manner.

Our verse this week has also brought to mind the lyrics of DC Talk's "What will People Think When they Hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?  What will people do when they find that it's true? I don't really care, what else can I say, there ain't no disguising the truth.  Jesus is the way." 

J.C. Ryle of 1900 and DC Talk of 2010 both are urging us to get out of our complacency and into a vital, boiling hot relationship...one that is not fearful of what others think. 

Hiking on with a zeal that cannot be hidden...do you have a smile on your face today as you walk down the trail?

Let's recall our previous verses and see what today brings us....

The Gift of Assurance (10)

1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and that life is in His Son.

1 John 5:12-13 The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God, does not have life. I say these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know you have eternal life.

John 14:1 Your heart must not be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansion, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you unto Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or afraid.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed . (KJV)

Isaiah 53:6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquities of us all.

Praise and Thanksgiving (4)

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

Promises of God (10)

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11
Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.

And the fifth verse regarding obedience is the neighbor to Romans 12:11 and another verse stated in triplet form....

Romans 12:12  "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer."

I can already see so much to be discovered this coming week...onward!