First Baptist Idabel

     Many people have heard the gospel and maybe even taken it into their hearts, but it is having no effect on their lives.  There seems to be no change.  They might say, “I’ve tried the whole church thing and nothing ever happened.” or even “I’ve been going to church all my life and I’m trying to do everything I’m supposed to do, but I still struggle with gossip“, or “I still struggle with drugs or alcohol,” or “I still struggle with pornography.”  They have tried the self-help books, the 12 step programs, the life coaches and nothing seems to have any lasting effect.  They are trying to be a better person.  If this is you, I believe you can be helped by simply changing one word in your vocabulary.  Change the word “try” to the word “trust”.  May I tell you STOP TRYING.  It’s not that complicated.  Just trust in Jesus and He will guide you onto HIS paths of righteousness instead of what the world may consider to be a path of right living. 
     There was a young man in the gospel of Mark who had the exact same kind of problem.  He longed to please God and he tried to follow the law, but there were still some of his own selfish desires that he could not let go. 
Mark 10:17-22 (New International Version)
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
      This man did not experience the power of God in his life because he was holding on to the things in this world.  Some of you need to let go of the things you are holding on to in this world and grab on to Jesus.  You’ve heard about Him, and even understand the Gospel, but you have not experienced the fullness of His power in your life because your feet are bogged down in the mire of worldly things. 
      I remember one time walking through a muddy creek and my feet were sinking in the mud down to my ankles.  I came to the bank of the creek where the ground was dry and the footing was firm and I was able to take one giant step onto dry ground, but my other foot was stuck in the mud.  Finally, I pulled loose, but my shoe came off remaining lodged in the muddy creek bed.  I stood there scratching my head for minute.  My sock was glistening white in the sun.  My foot had become free, but I had to leave something behind to experience this freedom; my filthy shoe, still stuck in the mud.   
      Some of you reading this are still stuck in the mud.  You know you might lose a shoe if you take that next step.  I want to assure you that the foundation of Jesus Christ is secure.  There is no other foundation on which I would prefer to stand.  Still others of you have taken that leap and are standing on the foundation, but you are still standing there looking at your shoe and wondering if you should go back in after it.  It’s hard to let go of some things.  I have some of these struggles myself, but we were called out of this world by the Almighty.  He is our Provider and Protector.  Put your trust in Him to protect your footing.  We don’t belong to the world, we belong to God.  He is our master, our creator, our savior.  If you want to experience the fullness of the gospel, you need to "let go and let God."  It’s difficult but if you can do that you will never be thirsty, because He is the living water.  You will never be hungry because He is the bread of life.  SO STOP TRYING AND START TRUSTING.  It’s not trying to be a better person that gets you to Heaven, it’s trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and following His path.  He gave everything so that you could gain everything.  Put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ today.     

Love to all, 

Bro. Jay Johnson.