A. W. Tozer had preached a sermon called, “Rote, Rut, & Rot.” You may comprehend what a rut and rot is, but the old term rote may be a bit unfamiliar. Rote is defined as routine; a fixed, habitual, or mechanical course of procedure. Look what the Lord had told the Isrealites. Deu 1:6 “The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount.” The Lord had told them that they had dwelled there long enough. He then told them it was time to move on and go to the land that was promised. Deu 1:8 “Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.” What was Israel’s greatest enemy in the desert? You may think of the hardships and challenges, but it was the routine, the rote. The rote can turn into a rut. When we get stuck in a rut, then we rot. Spiritually, we need to be careful of the routine. Although routine can be excellent if it leads growth, if routine does not produce growth than we can get into a rut. We are designed and meant to spiritually grow. The wild thing is that even though the Israelites were pressed in hardships, they still had the ability to respond through habit and routine. By God’s grace let us stay fresh.

Phl 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
As I’m beginning to look at the listing of plagues listed on the chapters of Exodus, I’m reminded of the reality of how people had to endure them. They suffered. As I listened to Wes Bently from our visit from him this past Sunday, I’ve once again have been adjusted. For those who don’t know Wes, he is an incredible testimony of a man who is truly surrendered to Jesus Christ and the perfect work of the cross. Wes is with Far Reaching Ministries, devoted to seeing men, women, and children in the Sudan come to Christ. To be quite honest, I don’t even feel adequate enough describing what the Lord has been doing through this man because he is the Real Deal. With a visit from Wes, I am reminded of the important role and privilege of being a man and protecting those who can’t protect themselves. Wes faces death daily via the incredible theater of war and terror throughout the Sudan. He is faithful to his calling, and shall not surrender to the desires of his flesh so that his testimony to the Sudanese and us is unblemished and powerful. What a reminder of how faithfulness, commitment, and purity lead to a powerful witness. The message is simple. There is no fine print here. A soldier must suffer. 1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

http://www.farreachingministries.org/