What’s it take to stop you ?

What’s it take to stop you ?

What’s it take to stop you ? I bet at least 99% of yall got all rigid and bowed up at this question…ready t’ fight or put up some show of defiance … “full of yourself” … but my question had nothing to do with your “physical strength”… and everything to do with your “spiritual strength.” Case in point … say you’re an average church-goer. You attend most Sundays and tithe occasionally ( which ain’t considered “tithing”, since EVERY dollar that God allows you to earn or is given you, He expects a tenth returned to His storehouse…Malachi 3:10 ), and you actually sing praises to Him when the words are on the screen. One day, you get shunned by a couple o’ ol gossips and now your feelins are hurt. You retreat into your “safe place” and discontinue to gather at “your” church. Here’s us another common scenario : God’s gifted you with a particular gift or talent … you feel like He’s leading you to use it where you gather for corporate worship, so you voluntarily mention it to someone “in charge”. They smile and say all the polite things…” By all means, we will definitely find you a spot” … “Oh, OK, we could use another _______” … and that’s the last you hear from em. Your feelins are hurt and you’re also a little ticked off. Who do they think they are ?! So, you leave and try “home-worshipping”, like a lotta others are into now … Covid and everything; you know. 🙄 People find so many reasons to quit on God, and it doesn’t take much to make it happen. Ergo my initial question…What’s it take to stop you ? If we don’t stand firm, we’re gonna fall. If we let a handful of ignorant people hold us back from doing what God has told / led / called us to do, shame on them and us ! People are prone to disappointing us … always have, always will . We just haveta expect it and roll with the punches. Satan still uses “Christians” to do his bidding, sometimes. It sho ain’t God that’s causing them to act like that ! Don’t think it doesn’t happen and don’t think it can’t happen to you ! If we choose to ignore God’s warnings or avoid a God-honoring principle, we’ve left the door open for the devil. If we leave part of our armor behind ( Ephesians 6:10-18 ) because it was too cumbersome or “too much trouble”, we’re leaving Satan a foothold. When we isolate ourselves and try doing life alone, we’re setting a place at our table for Satan…and he won’t refuse an invitation to dinner. “ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” ( Matthew 26:41 ). “ Unless you abide in Me and I in you, you can do nothing” ( John 15:4-11 ). “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall !” ( 1 Corinthians 10:12 ) … ( 2 Peter 3:17; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ) The “church” is made up of imperfect people. Some are committed completely…some ain’t. It’s easier to fall into the “aints”…just expect to get bit. What’s it take to stop you ? Chew on that one for a little while … and ask God to give you the strength to overcome all the obstacles that hinder you from serving Him completely.