Determination

Matthew 21:28-31 “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said I will not: but afterward repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he said, I go, sir: but went not. Whether of them twain did the will of the father?”
I have been accused of spending too much time in the Bible. Personally I must admit that I don’t spend enough time in the Bible. Such laziness on my part has undoubtedly cost me and my family many blessings from God.  The verse above shows us both sides of the same coin the new man, or the son who ended up obeying, and the old man who didn’t obey.
My “old man” claims he will obey but lacks the determination to follow through. In fact I find it amazing how when I have no time or ability to do any studying that is when my motivation to study us at it’s highest. As if I am being taunted, “ha ha you can’t do anything right now so here is all the energy needed to do the work!” Once there is time the desire, energy, and determination are virtually dried up. Excuse after excuse races to mind as to why now is not a good time.
In that way it is lie dieting. The weight must come off but there is “plenty of time” until there is suddenly no time left. Excuses are troublesome little pests, they are the mice of the mind devouring every opportunity that comes along.
That would make prayer the spiritual mousetrap then. There in Acts chapter 6 the spiritual field mice were set loose on the early church. Problems arose and the people wanted the apostles to take care of the situation. Because they had already been praying Peter and the others recognized the problem and created the first deacon board to do the desired work which left the apostles alone to do their work of prayer and preaching. They were determined to follow the will of God and stuck to their guns. It ain’t easy but it is possible. Decide what you are willing to do then get determined about it. Start praying maybe even fasting and see what God will do. He likes when His children obey Him, even if at first we refuse but then get right and go.