Hebrews 12:11 The process of education is not immediately appreciated; at the time it seems to be more pain than pleasure, but it certainly yields the harvest of righteousness for the faith athlete. (TMB)

Isn’t your education and training worth it?

The prima ballerina’s feet and toes bled as she learned to dance. The sculptor’s hands hurt and fingers blistered as he became more adept and increased his skills as an artist. The Olympic athlete sacrifices from early childhood and gives up what she wants to be great.

Hebrews 5:8 Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father], He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered. (AMP)

Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered, and you will as well. You don’t want to end up like the sons of Sceva.

Acts 19:15-16 But the evil spirit retorted, “I know and recognize and acknowledge Jesus, and I know about Paul, but as for you, who are you?” 16 Then the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they ran out of that house [in terror, stripped] naked and wounded. (AMP)

In order for you to accomplish the task the Father has assigned for you, you must be effective in this war. You will go through what He deems necessary for your perfection. If the devil knows your name, that is a by-product of the life you live. As you stay in the presence of The Father, He will show you changes that need to be made in your life. These changes will enhance your character and your witness. He will show you qualities and character traits:

• You don’t currently have.
• That He needs to develop and mature.
• That you need to allow Him to remove from your life.

You will go through circumstances and trials ordained to produce the result He is looking for.

2 Peter 1:5-8 But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be obedient, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do. 6 Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. 7 This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply. 8 The more you go on in this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ. (TLB, edited)

Instead of looking at the trials and tribulations as something that is painful that you want to go away, look in a mirror and see Jesus.

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, please forgive me for wanting to sidestep the training You have established for my perfection. I want to stand and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. I want a crown of righteousness. Nothing else matters. You know what You ordained for me to be before the foundation of the world. You know what it will take for me to get there. You know what I will have to endure in order for the qualities required to be produced in my life. I submit myself to You. Tie me to the altar, and I won’t; move while You are doing the work that needs to be done in me. Thank You for choosing me. Thank You for continuing to mold and train me. Thank You for using me…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: