No Short-Cuts

030408:

Mark 11:16And He would not permit anyone to carry any household equipment through the temple enclosure [thus making the temple area a short-cut traffic lane].

Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem with His disciples and on the first day there, he surveyed and observed the temple. Then the second day, he entered Jerusalem again and He cursed a fig tree, drove out all the money changers and merchants and buyers, and he blocked the passage of all who were using the temple enclosure as a short cut traffic lane.

I think that people have a tendency to use Jesus as a short cut to Heaven and He doesn't approve of that. God won't allow it. If I am following Jesus just to take the easy road, I'm terribly mistaken. To follow Jesus is the most difficult road, it is the road to calvary. For me to take my walk lightly is to insult His holiness. Are there shortcuts in my life? Am I trying to do things for God the easy way instead of the way He is asking me to do things? The good news is that Jesus is there to always walk by my side. He will never lead me into death, destruction, or fear, but into life, wholeness, and truth. I don't want to make short-cuts in my life anymore. I want to follow Him through it all.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your word this morning. Lord, thank You for the life You breathe into me. Thank You for the day You have set before me. Lord, guide my every step. May I take no short-cuts. Please prepare me for the journey ahead of me. I trust in You. I am so glad that You are my Lord. I love You with all that I am. I'm sorry for my past sins of taking the short-cut way. Change me. Redeem me! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.