Don't look for the easy road

First, forgive me. I have not been able to connect to blogger for the past two days. On to what really matters.

After coming to Christ and seeing the work of God we should not expect an easy end. Look at David and look at the church at Galatia. If anything, the final years of our lives will bring greater temptation because the pressure will lessen. Most will retire and no longer feel the strain of performance and production. Most will have an empty nest. The constant work of raising Christ-centered children will change as they age and move out of the home. With the absence of children in the home the temptation will be to back out of ministry at church. The retirement years bring a strong temptation to coast. Sit back, count the troups, and take it easy.

Father, keep us from returning to the law and keep us from wasting our lives. Guard our hearts from desiring fruitless trees and fields without production. Keep our eyes open to the temptation of returning to the law. Increase our understanding of grace and the gospel. May we be so full grace and may we live in gratitude to the gospel of Jesus Christ that legalism would never be an option. Increase Christ in our lives that foolishness and legalism are seen as they truly are, empty and tragic. Increase Christ in our lives so that we may always do faithful work and live truly abundant lives.

In Jesus' Name
Amen