“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17)

I admit. These months have been long and difficult.

I’ve limited how much news I will see and read. I want to know what’s going on but listening to news radio all day, and watching news reels all day is not helping. It just upsets me.

I’ve stopped Facebook for the same reason.

But, it doesn’t mean God’s no longer at work. In fact, I have seen the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace step up to serve and care for one another in beautiful ways. It’s not just the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace, there are people doing wonderful things all around us.

This is exactly what the devil would love for us to do. Focus on all that’s wrong. Because when we’re focused on what’s wrong it will paralyze us.

Stop.

I challenge you to focus on God. Look for where God is at work. And give thanks.

I spent ten to fifteen minutes jotting down everything that I am thankful for, the areas where I see God at work.

And you know what? The world doesn’t look so messed up anymore. God’s not done with us. God is still very much at work in his world.

So won’t you do that? Take some time and write down everything you are thankful for, for the places where you see God at work.

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness.

Right now. Even in the midst of the global pandemic. Even in the midst of social distancing. Even for moments just like now, God has given us everything needed for life and godliness.

The plan works when you work the plan.

Just because God has given us everything needed for life and godliness doesn’t necessarily mean that you and I are growing and thriving in life and godliness. You see, we have to put into practice and use what God has given to us. And unless we put into practice and use what God has given to us, nothing changes.

Just because someone has the desire to get healthier and joins a gym and hires a fitness coach to help them get fit doesn’t necessarily mean they get healthier and fit. The only way a person will get healthier and fit is if they work the plan that the fitness coach outlines for them. The plan is there. The plan works. But the person has to work the plan in order for the plan to work.

God has given us everything we need in his word for life and godliness. But the only way this plan works is when we work God’s plan.

Here’s what that means. The basics of God’s growth plan for godliness includes:

• Daily prayer and daily reading of God’s word
• Weekly participation in worship
• Working out our faith with a small group of believers

The plan works when you work the plan. The word of God is clear: God has given us everything needed for life and godliness. Now it’s up to you and me to do our part.

Let’s get to work!

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).

Until God is enough, nothing else will ever be.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

Nice things are nice. But they will always leave us longing for more.

Fame and fortune are nice. But no amount of fame or fortune can ever satisfy.

There is a longing in our souls that can only find its fulfillment in one person. His name is Jesus Christ.

Until God is enough, nothing else will ever be.

Do you know him? Have you surrendered to him? Have you received him as Lord and Savior?

Find your rest, peace, and purpose in Jesus.