Eat The Frog Series

Eat the Frog

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/

Do you remember the day you were born again? That incredible moment when you, though still a babe in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1-2), felt the overwhelming joy of passing from death to life, eternally sealed as a child of the Almighty Creator (Ephesians 1:13-14). But salvation was just the beginning. Like the Israelites standing on the shore of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, we face moments when God calls us to step forward in faith. Growth into spiritual maturity requires us to trust Him, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or daunting.

Mark Batterson describes 'eating the frog' as tackling the difficult tasks necessary for growth. Your 'frog' might be forgiving a deep hurt, sharing your faith, or committing to prayer and Bible study. Whatever form they take, these challenges represent opportunities to trust God and take deliberate steps closer to becoming the person He calls us to be. While salvation is a gift we cannot earn, God’s grace empowers us to step forward in obedience. Just as He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, God provides the strength we need to overcome our own “frogs” and live a life worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27). Like the Israelites, we often stand at the shores of our own Red Seas, facing obstacles that seem insurmountable. But God calls us to trust Him. Step forward and eat the 'frogs' in your path, knowing He will provide the strength and guidance you need

No matter how intensely one dreams of becoming spiritually mature, it cannot be realized until one intentionally follows in the footsteps of Jesus. As you reflect on the joy of your salvation, consider this: What are the challenges—those frogs—that God is asking you to face to grow deeper in your faith? Is it letting go of a grudge, stepping out in faith to serve, or finally setting aside time to be in His Word daily? Perhaps God has placed it on your heart to join a ministry, mentor someone in their faith, or dedicate more time to volunteering in your community. Or maybe your frog is setting aside distractions like social media to create space for deeper intimacy with Him. Striving to be holy as God is holy can feel overwhelming. But this challenge should invigorate us, not paralyze us. With God’s strength, we can grow beyond our current struggles to become who He has called us to be. Thankfully, we don’t climb this mountain alone—God provides the strength and guidance we need for each step.

Defining Your Frog

No matter how intensely one dreams of becoming spiritually mature, it cannot be realized until one intentionally follows in the footsteps of Jesus. But where does one begin? Striving to become holy as God is holy can feel like standing at the base of a towering mountain, its summit hidden in clouds and its steepness overwhelming. Doubts creep in, fueled by feelings of unworthiness and shame for loving the things of this world too much. And yet, while the vast distance between where we are now and where God wants us to be can feel paralyzing, it should instead invigorate us—for the potential for growth in the Lord is truly staggering! Thankfully, we don’t climb this mountain alone—God provides the strength and guidance we need for each step.

Mark Batterson encourages us to 'eat the frog' by taking small, deliberate steps toward total surrender to God. So, where do we begin? The “frog” we need to eat can be identified by reflecting on a few key questions. What spiritual goals has God placed on your heart that you’ve hesitated to pursue due to fear or lack of desire? What are the things you rarely do for God but, when you do, bring a sense of closeness and unspeakable joy in fulfilling His will? Perhaps God has placed it on your heart to join a ministry, mentor someone in their faith, or dedicate more time to volunteering in your community. Or maybe your frog is setting aside distractions like social media to create space for deeper intimacy with Him. Finally, as you consider the end of your life, what aspects of your walk with Christ would you regret neglecting if you continued to live with a “Que será será—whatever will be, will be” mindset? With those “frogs” in mind, let’s turn our attention to creating an action plan for spiritual success.

Intentional Planning

The key to sustained spiritual growth lies in intentionally structuring our days to reflect God's priorities. Each day is a divine gift, a fresh opportunity to glorify Him and accomplish meaningful work in His name. Have you ever paused to evaluate how you spend your time? How much of it is devoted to serving God versus indulging worldly pursuits? Mark Batterson insightfully observes that we are often unaware of counterproductive routines that dominate our lives. To redeem the time, we must be deliberate in replacing harmful habits with God-centered ones. For example, D.L. Moody made it a priority to rise at four in the morning to commune with God amidst life's distractions. Similarly, rabbinic tradition tells of King David waking to the sound of wind on his harp to study the Torah (Psalm 57:8). These examples remind us that the first moments of our day are crucial, setting the tone for everything that follows. When we anchor our mornings in worship and devotion, we align our lives with God's purposes and experience His sustaining grace throughout the day. Intentional planning provides the foundation for a life centered on Him, but to deepen our walk, we must move beyond structure to incorporate spiritual rituals that remind us of His presence in every moment.