I couldn't blame the Lord for where I was or how I felt, because I struggle to stay faithful.
I confess, I'm easily distracted by the usual suspect: relationships (dating and frienships)
When granted either, the outcome is a slow but steady shift from a God focus to "whatever I think will make me happy" focus. In other words, I desert the Blesser for the blessing. Then, everything I desired/wanted more than the Lord disappears...darkness appears. In a previous post I wrote: God Says: You don't have to beg me, because I want to, All you have to do is want me too...Do you want Him? Of course, we all say yes, but as soon as adversity comes we run to God and say, "I've been talking with you, why didn't you tell me, I was going to lose my best friend? or that my car was going to break down? Can you please tell me what's going on? I don't understand this."
Faltering in faithfulness is usually linked to a failure to see the victory in God's plan when it gets painful and/or an ignorance of our purpose. The enemy takes advantage of this opportunity and is happy to offer a platter of distractions. The enemy's goal is to keep us lost in the dark so we never become or do all that God has created us to be and do. The moment we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior we became blessed, highly favored, wealthy and healthy, but because Jesus paid the cost and built the fortune, we don't appreciate anything. We're spoiled heirs/heiresses. We think God owes us. So, when we go to Him to ask for a portion of our legacy (to spoil/waste) He says no, because the provision is for His vision. Anytime we feel like our "needs" are not being met, we cheat. We're led to believe that the grass is greener, life is exciting, good times and pleasure awaits us on the other side...but it's a mirage.
I think the solution to unfaithfulness is found in the application of LOVE. We can't stay faithful because we don't understand LOVE.
I confess, I haven't conquered cheating, because the natural part of me, will settle for the ability to survive. While the spiritual side is determined to thrive. Sure, we can thrive that was the original design, but it comes with great cost. Truth is, a lot of us quit at the first inkling of sweat and pain. It's time to take off our jewels and fine robes to be faithful to the Lord God and His business. The good news is we can complete our purpose in His plan, live in abundance and receive our full inheritance...IF we learn how to LOVE and remain faithful to the one who LOVED us FIRST. It's time to LOVE Him back.
It's an invitation. Accept or decline..
I was looking through a planner from the beginning of last school year and I sunk, because instead of seeing growth from then to now in my personal life and spiritual growth, I realized I was in the same place, I've been after the same things for almost a year. I'm staying in Isaiah 55...it's called the invitation. For me it's a personal invitation from God to me...it's an offer to forsake everything I've been striving for to instead strive for Him. I've said it before, but I've never done it. I've never really reserved myself solely for Him. Truth is, if I'm really tired of being in the same place, I'll accept this invitation. I know God is willing to bless and deliver, He's waiting on me.
Isaiah 55
WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].
3Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
4Behold, I have appointed him (Him) [David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples.
5Behold, you [a][Israel] shall call nations that you know not, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
6Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.
7Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.
8For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign [of jubilant exaltation] and memorial [to His praise], which shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55
WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].
3Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
4Behold, I have appointed him (Him) [David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples.
5Behold, you [a][Israel] shall call nations that you know not, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
6Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.
7Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.
8For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign [of jubilant exaltation] and memorial [to His praise], which shall not be cut off.
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