Don't Take The "By-Pass"

When we'd go on long trips, often we'd take a main expressway; and when we'd get near a big city, we'd have the option of going right THROUGH or take the BY-PASS around the city.  The BY-PASS was longer--but we were told it was always the quickest way.  However, we discovered that if you take the direct route early in the day (or other select times), you'd get through even faster. 

So what am I trying to say here?  Simply this:  Start with God early in the day and go through your problems....don't try to BY-PASS them, DODGE them, or think you can take a shortcut around them.  Don't go your own way--you'll get LOST or run into a DEAD END.

In Psalm 23:4 it says that we are to "go through The Valley of the Shadow of Death."  We're not to "settle" there or "stop" there.  It's just a "temporary" inconvenience.  You are to PERSEVERE.  FEAR will only cause you to expend more fuel--causing you to run out of power to press on.  You're engine will "freeze-up" on you.....don't be one of the FROZEN CHOSEN.  Just keep-on-keeping on!!!  God's CALLING you to keep continuing on 'til you reach your "Promised Land" (and receive all that He's promised you).  "Many have been CALLED, but only a FEW are chosen" and selected to be one of His elect!  [Matthew 20:16]  Remember love endures through all things. 

Midway in Jesus' ministry many turned back.  When He was dying on the cross, almost everyone ran away and abandoned Him.  Only a FEW remained faithful to the end.  Jesus didn't QUIT on us....don't QUIT on Him!  As the football announcer often says (or should I say screams)--"He went ALL THE WAY!"

Don't GIVE UP on your dreams...don't QUIT 'cause you're weary or afraid.  Just GO FORWARD IN FAITH--BELIEVE and RECEIVE all that He has for you.