In Christ - I am strong to the end...

I am strong to the end...
 
I Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
Jude 1:24,25  To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

Morning and Evening
Charles Spurgeon/Alistair Begg
 
March 14 Morning Reading
 
"It is a curious fact that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, 'I have great faith - I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall.'  'I have fervent love,' says another.  'I can stand; there is no danger of my going astray.'  He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.  Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountainhead or else the stream will soon be dry.  If a continuous supply of oil does not come to the lamp, even though it may burn brightly today, it will smoke tomorrow, and noxious will be its scent.  Pay attention that you do not glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only in this way can you be kept from falling.  Be much more diligent in prayer.  Spend longer time in holy adoration.  Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly.  Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God.  Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be full of heaven.  Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. Live in such a way that men may recognize that you have been with Jesus and have learned of Him;  and when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, 'Come up higher,' may it be your happiness to hear Him say, 'You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and henceforth there is laid up for you the crown of righteousness that doesn't fade.'  Keep on, Christian, with care and caution!  Go on, with holy fear and trembling!  On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, 'Uphold me according to Your promise.' He alone is able 'to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.'"
 
What a great reminder that our walk as Believers is not passive - it's active - it requires our participation in maintaining holiness and closeness to the Savior.  BUT - in the end - it is HIS strength that sustains us - we must turn to Him when we feel weak - when we are tempted - when our world seems to be falling apart - when we feel that we just can't go on - when a loved one is sick/dying or has walked away from the Lord.  HE will keep you strong - but only when - and if - you turn to Him and ask for that strength!  I've seen many a Christian wander off the path and get themselves into trouble because they didn't keep their eyes fixed on Jesus (myself included).  How much better off we are - and will eternally be - when we can learn to walk side-by-side with Jesus and allow the Spirit to guide and direct our every action! Sharon