Get Your Edge Back

October 15, 2012

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. Ecclesiastes 10:10

Like a sharp axe can cut down a tree, we are called to cut through oppression and impact lives. The cycles of life will endeavor to blunt, discourage, and distract you, but God knows how to sharpen your edge.

One way to stay sharp is to build yourself up by praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20). If you’ve been super busy, seize times of aloneness when you can draw close to God. Go right into the Word instead of other things. (There are hundreds of TV options, but most won’t give you an edge.) Stay in church because as “iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Jesus created you for good works, and He wants to use you to reach a hurting and broken world. Satan is constantly trying to blunt the edge of your effectiveness. That’s why, as you cut through all the darkness, you have to keep going to the sharpening stone of the Holy Spirit and let God strengthen you with His might and power (Ephesians 3:16). Get ready, because God wants to put people in your path who need the gifts and abilities you have. He wants to anoint you to pray huge prayers and to minister life to lost souls and persuade them to come to Jesus.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” -Abraham Lincoln

Press on!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.