From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

© Bill McCown | www.myghcf.com

"Do as I say, not as I do". If that isn't the antithesis of what God says, I don't know what is! Rather, God tells us to be an effective doer of his Word, not just a hearer. Do you sit in church and "hear" the truth of what a godly life is supposed to be and yet when you're in the car on the ride home, you don't "do" it but instead take up where you left off in that heated argument with your husband or wife? Do you "hear" the worship song that says Jesus is Lord, but what you "do" proves that you still run the show and not Him? Do you "hear" His command to love and forgive but what you "do" is filled with anger, hatred and unforgiveness? Don’t get me wrong now, I am not sharing this from the pinnacle of success in these areas. I live painfully aware of my own inabilities and struggles in attaining what I preach for others to achieve. But I want to encourage us all. Do not give up in seeking God and allowing His nature to rule and not your own. Be determined to be a "doer" and not just a "hearer". Remember, God's grace is sufficient. When we run out of faith, God's grace will be there. Keep going, be determined to hear the voice of God, and then depend on His strength to bring you to the effective "doing" of it. Go on now, get back out there! Endure the fire...it's producing pure gold.

---