Lessons from Bicycling Part 3 of 3

Riding a bicycle has its own set of gear and ways of doing things. I have learned some roads to ride on that are conducive to riding. I now have routes to get to different parts of the city. And I can talk the talk of bicycling with other people with the same passion.

Following Jesus has its own set of lifestyle and ways. Just as riding a bicycle causes one to think, eat and sleep riding. So following Jesus will cause you to eat and sleep and think of the things of God.

You can’t ride a bike in traffic without being aware of your surroundings. You are aware of the width of the road the # of lanes and the existence of a rideable shoulder. You see in your mirror what is coming up behind you and praying for God’s protection and direction of when and where to ride. Constant watchfulness is useful in the spirit as well. I am looking if there is someone to hand a tract to and share the gospel with. I am praying for the ministry I will be doing in the days ahead and taking authority over the enemy not to take the word that I will share, from people hearts.

My bike that I ride has 27 gears, 3 in front and 9 in back. I am constantly shifting gears to maintain the correct cadence and effort or strength exerted. It can be the same with the spiritual realm. Life throws many things at you. And I try to let the Lord deal with them by bringing them to Him in prayer. I also look to Jesus and the promises He has given me and not the problems of life. I want to be content in all that I do. Yet not to be content to let the enemy steal and ruin peoples lives.

I have seen how food will allow me to ride with more strength. We eat to gain strength. But eating by itself will not produce strength. Eating gives us the ability to use the strength we have. If I don’t eat I don’t have the ability to use strength. To build strength I exercise. This exercising gives strength to my muscles. It is the work that builds strength. Food gives me the ability to work, but by itself, food will just make me fat.

In spiritual life knowledge of the Bible is like food. But knowledge by itself will not bring spiritual strength. It is using the knowledge that builds strength. I have heard it said, It is not what we know, but what we can testify to that is important. The work of faith God has for us, builds strength.

Our knowledge of the Bible without work will build arrogance. 1 Cor. 8:11 Cor. 8:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 ¹ Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

WP-Bible plugin I spend a lot of time in the Bible and if I am not careful I become arrogant. Prayer for humbleness and repentance are things I do to guard against this problem of arrogance. But this alone will not succeed if I don’t do what the Bible teaches. Actions are needed if I am to be a workman/servant/disciple for Christ. It is in this prayer and repentance that I get direction on what I am to do for the Lord.

For the bicycle the elements are eating, riding and rest. In the Spirit it’s Bible, prayer/relationship and service, and quietness.

The motto I live by is: Pray and go daily. I pray and get God’s direction, then I go as I am led. The next day I evaluate what I did yesterday and pray over it and get God’s direction again. Then I go again to serve as I am led. I have found that sometimes it takes God a while to get me to do something. But if I pray every day over the issues of my life I have to face up the to the fact that I am living in direct disobedience to God’s direction. To be honest with God is to be honest with yourself. I cry out for His help. Then live and act in faith to what He is leading me to do.