Forced...

Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God. James 4:4

Mark 15:21

21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

What do you feel people (or maybe even God Himself) are forcing you to do in life?  Do you feel forced to read the Bible?  Do you feel forced to go to church?  Do you feel forced to pray?  Do you feel forced to give up all of the "fun" stuff?  Do you feel forced to tithed?  Do you feel forced to be someone you're not?  How do you think Simon from Cyrene felt as he was forced to help the Son of God carry that heavy cross?

I ask these questions to bring about perspective.  A discipline life will never seem right, compared to a world that acts in rebellion, perversion, excess and selfishness.  Our flesh rebels against discipline in every way.  We want to lose weight, but can't acquire the discipline of eating right and working out.  We desire to go to school, but have no desire to be disciplined in studying.  We desire to save money, but can't commit to the discipline of not eating out; we can't let go of cable or shopping.  I think because we're so use to the way of the world, we often forget its way, is completely WRONG, harmful and deadly.  I'm sure Simon didn't know on the grand scale of things, what he was doing, nor who he was truly doing it for.  We too, won't know completely what living this life for God will bring to us; but God says it's good, that there is reward - and I believe that God is not a man that He would ever lie to us.  Do you wonder if Simon received revelation during that walk or after about Jesus, and if he was able to take heart in the truth of the event he was a part of.  God has left us great knowledge and wisdom of what we're apart of...

"Man" will force us to do a lot, be at work on time, pay our bills on time, dress to impress at the club... God doesn't force us to do anything.  He graciously and lovingly allows us to make a choice and choices.  He desires for us to make the right choice(s); but He will never force us to do anything.

Yes, some have experienced being forced to go to church growing up?  Some of us feel like by choosing God, we are "forced" to give up sex, getting drunk, doing drugs... but will not doing any of this hurt your life?  Carrying that cross with Jesus was an honor for Simon really.  All we are called to do by God for Jesus is an honor.   The world would like you to think and believe that living for God, limits you from everything.  Why would we believe this lie?  God promises us freedom.  Living for God delivers freedom that we, even as "free Americans" - can't truly comprehend.  But it's freedom that we can live and believe in.

Tradition gets it wrong sometimes, religious people get it wrong sometimes; but God is NEVER wrong.  This is not a message to force you to do something that you do not want to do.  It's a message to enlighten and encourage you to seek and obey to live as God created you.  We all have an area in our lives that requires godly discipline.  Don't mistake your flesh for your heart; change how you live.  Our lives represent what we believe.  People believe God is full of contradictions because WE live so contrary to His Word.  We can't blame God for our mistakes.  And how thankful we should be that God doesn't condemn us for our constant mistakes; but gives us opportunities to learn and grow from them.

Let's get on God's path, let's honor the opportunities we have right now.  Let's choose to practice God's best, by bringing discipline into our lives.  I don't care what sin you just did or how holy you believe you are.  We all are being called to go to the next level in Christ.  It may be something that has been in your spirit for a while; today is the day sweetheart.  We have a righteous calling upon our lives, we accepted it - why are we waiting to implement it?


Be bold, beloved, God is with you.

Prayer: In my own power, LORD, I cannot walk in Your statutes.  Even when my heart wants to obey, sin trips me.  My heart and mind wander into places they have no business going.  Instead of keeping Your judgments, I make my own weak ones.  Fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may glorify You in every choice I make.  When my every thought and action are directed by Your Spirit, I cannot go astray.  Give me the strength to obey You completely, so each second of my days may be filled with testimonies to You.  In Jesus' Name...