Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Sometimes we have to dig deep within ourselves to get back up and dust ourselves off and try one-hundred more times. During these time of trial and character building, are we praying or whinging, are we praising or complaining? Are we pursuing God’s face or giving-up on His truth because we don’t have the backbone it takes to breakthrough into victory?
These are questions I had been asking myself over this last winter of my discontent. I asked myself on many occasions if I have the jam to keep going forward, even when I did not see all the results I was expecting from my God. Was there any faithfulness in my heart?
The truth is that there sure is faithfulness in the Lord’s heart. Has anything in the Kingdom of God changed? Is Christ still Lord? Is God still on the Throne? Is the Holy Spirit still convicting the world of righteousness? Yes, yes and yes these truths and eternal facts are still in order and being carried out. Mal. 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Sometimes it will take a bulldog tenacity from deep within our hearts to keep on keeping on in the blessed word of our living God. Jer. 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? The facts that are taking place in our lives are not always the truth of what God says about our lives.
The facts may be that you are sick, but the truth of God’s word is that healing belongs to us by faith. Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.
The facts might be at this time in our lives that we are experiencing a short fall in finances and we are not even able to make ends meet. The truth of God’s word is that Christ is our provider and will not let us perish. Gen. 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. The Lord who provides. Matt. 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things.
The facts are that we do not continue steadfast in the word of God and our souls become a bit sluggish because we think we have some kind of pass on using our faith. After all, I have been a long-standing member of First Church and have paid my dues; therefore, I deserve all that I ask for. Ya right! The truth of God’s word does not change, but how we approach and apply the word are the growing pains we are experiencing.
We forget that it is a privilege to seek out and discover a truth. Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. We want the word to deliver in the same way a drive-through window hands out products with no relationship, other then a few pleasantries if there is an attendant, then we are off to consume something else.
The word of God is truth and what we are going through in our lives are the momentary facts that can be discouraging, but take heart. 2 Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. How much is all? All! We will never be left in the desperation of heart. Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
In another place, the Lord has encouraged us with an eternal promise. Isa. 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. We will be victims, or we will be victors, and that is the choice we have to make in our hearts.
We will believe what God says about us or we won’t. The choice to believe in the truth of God’s word is a conscious choice that we have to make daily. Num. 11:23 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” Thank you Lord for this word, I needed to hear this in my spirit. Amen.
There Is No Hate Like Christian Hate
Proverbs 6:16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a lying witness who gives false...
This is a good one Sir Norm, to walk steadfastly, even when it hurts knowing that eventually The Lord always takes us out of that season and restores our soul to carry on. Then as we continue to walk in Him and overcome hurdles and get stronger in faith, we can rejoice in being able to walk uprightly, so that on that day when we meet Him in heaven, we'll hear the words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matt 25:23. I think that as I get older, I must remind myself why I choose to live for the Lord. Is it because I want stuff from Him or because I love Him because He loved me first. If I get the two in the wrong order, then I really start to have issues. I'm thankful for His patience with me and I trust that my feeble arms and legs are getting stronger and stronger.
Love and Blessings!
Toni
God will always provide for the work that He gives us to do. That is why even in business if we do it with the purpose of the Great Commandment of "Going, Preaching and making disciples" and not for the finances then what Colossians says applies and by faith and grace we will receive the reward. Col 3:23 Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
24 Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).