Nehemiah 8:10. After asking Ezra to read the book of the Law, the returning captives wept at the words they heard. They wanted to get right with God because their disobedience lead to 70 years as captives in Babylon. Now, Nehemiah was teaching them that their joy in the Lord is the strength they need to live for God. It’s the same thing for us. Our joy in the Lord is our strength we need to live for Him despite the circumstances we face each day.

Matthew 26:36-44. We studied this week on people who stopped too soon. Today, we look at the One who didn’t. That’s right, Jesus. Could He have stopped too soon and walked away? I believe He could have, but He did not. He finished His course. And He accomplished it by praying “not as I will, but as thou wilt.” We need to pray like that. Take time out each day and pray like Jesus that God’s will will be done in your life each day, and then follow Him right to the finish line.

Acts 24:24-25. Felix was a man just like most of us. He heard the Gospel preached by Paul himself. But waited for a better time. He stopped short of receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior. So many of us today do the same thing. We want to live our lives and then turn it all over to Jesus and “get right.” Friends, don’t wait till it’s too late. Today is the day of salvation.

Genesis 25:29-34. Esau was a hungry man. So hungry, in fact, that his birthright had no value

Numbers 32:5-7, 15-22. Some of the tribes of Israel wanted their inheritance to be on the other side of the Jordan from the rest. They stopped just short of the blessing of God. How often do we stop just short because we want to stay in the place we liked, or stay in our comfort zone? Sometimes God’s greatest blessings happen when we come out of our comfort zone.

Genesis 11:31, 12:1-4. How many times have we stopped just short of where God wants us to be? How any times do we continue to dwell in the place we stopped at instead of going on to the place where God wants us? Had Abram not followed God’s instructions, he would never have received His promise, and we probably would not have even heard of him today. Don’t dwell where God never intended you to dwell, push on and go to the place where your blessing awaits.

John 20:24-29

Luke 9:24.

Luke 9:61-62. As much as I don’t want to say this, sometimes our families and friends become a barrier to our faith. They can also be a contributor to helping build a strong faith.

Luke 9:59-60. God has called each of us into a relationship with Him. The question is this, have you answered that call? Are you doing what God has called you to do, or are you telling Him “Tomorrow, Lord.” Whatever God has called you to do, do it NOW, right now. Don’t delay, don’t put it off till it’s more convenient for you. Do the call.