Post #93 - Don't Test God

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”  -Matthew 4:5-7

Are you taking care of yourself?

Are you taking the mandates of the quarantine and the suggestions of the CDC seriously?

I know many of us are continuing with life as usual, not concerning ourselves with taking precautions, standing only on our faith. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but we’ve got to remember that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17 NKJV). We must remember that God requires us to put action to our faith. That means not ignoring those things that we are supposed to be doing to keep ourselves and our families safe.

We definitely should depend on our faith and on what we know that God can do. That goes without question. But that does not mean we should be reckless. Jesus knew, as illustrated in Matthew 4, that God could and would protect Him from all things. But He also understood His responsibility to not place Himself in a potentially dangerous situation – to not test God.

Cocky faith is awesome and admirable, but we have to be sure it doesn’t lead to arrogance. We still have to be humble in our faith, submitting all things to God and trusting that He will work them out.

Saul had faith, in 1 Samuel 13, when he offered a burnt offering unto God. He believed that His offering would give confidence to the Israelites who were scattering as the Philistine army prepared to attack. Though Saul’s offering was well intended, it was arrogant, impatient, and disobedient. Only priests could burn offerings to God and Saul was instructed to wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice. Because of his misguided faith, because he did not heed the commands of God, the kingdom was taken away from Saul and God appointed another king to reign over Israel.

Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). God desires that we listen and obey. He has commanded us to “submit to governing authorities” and follow the law of the land (Romans 13:1-2). Our obedience is the work we put behind our faith. And God blesses our work. Without work, our faith alone is void. Your faith to get a car is useless if you don’t work to make and save the money to buy one. Don’t be fooled by your super-saved mentality and your over simplified view of faith. Faith, alone, will not save you!

Listen to God’s word and apply it. Don’t add to it or take away from it. And don’t twist it to fit your own beliefs. Hebrews 11 tells us what faith is and how God’s people demonstrated their faith. In every instance, they did something to show their faith in God’s promises. Abel presented a superior offering, Noah built an arc, and Sarah believed and had a child in her old age. They all put in work, and that is what God is saying to us today.

He recognizes our faith… when it is demonstrated… and demonstrated according to His word. So, during this time of uncertainty, it is our duty to demonstrate our faith by doing what is required of us to ensure we do not put ourselves, our families, and our communities in danger. This is about more than just washing our hands. This is about understanding that there is not a high degree of understanding about COVID-19. Only God knows the details and only He can deliver us from these uncertain times.

So, yes, we should have faith in God and believe that He will deliver us from the virus and speak Psalm 91 over ourselves and our families. But, though we have faith that God will send his angels to protect us, let’s not forget Jesus’ warning to not test God. Instead, we are to “live… by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). What is He telling you to do in this season? To lean on your own understanding and potentially perpetuate the spreading of COVID-19? Or should you, instead, lean NOT on your own understanding and acknowledge God and His word and allow Him to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)? I say trust in the Word of God. Be obedient and follow His commands completely, not altering them to fit your understanding or beliefs.

Let’s let God bless our faith by applying our works and watch Him lead us to safety.

Post #92 - Now is the Time!

Times are hard and uncertain.

We are forced inside and locked down. We are wondering how the COVID-19 pandemic began and how long it will last. We are wondering who it will affect. And if it will affect someone we know. Someone we love. We are given conflicting information concerning the virus everyday. And every source of information works hard to inflict fear.

We have so many questions and so many emotions. We are alone and worried and scared.

Now is a great time to turn to God.

Only God knows the REAL how or why. Only God knows how long these times will last and whether or not we've seen the worst of it. Only God knows.

Only God knows who will be affected and who will be passed over. Only God knows the plans He has for each of our lives and which day we are to breathe our last. Only God knows.

Only God knows when life will go back to normal and what the next day will bring.

And only God can give us peace.

So, now is the time to tell Him your fears and concerns. Now is the time to cry out for yourself and your loved ones. Now is the time to repent of your sins.

The right time isn't just during the uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic, but during every NOW that we have, because we are not promised the next one.

We have been taking the lives we have been gifted for granted. We've taken the time we have left on earth for granted. We don't know when our last NOW is going to be so we have to take advantage of the NOW we have before us.

Call on God NOW. Tell Him you love Him NOW. Tell Him you need Him NOW. Submit to His will NOW. And let His good and perfect will be manifested in your life.

Let Him heal you NOW. Let Him save you NOW. Take steps NOW in assuring that your salvation is secure and your sins are forgiven.

We do not know the day nor the hour... But God knows. And He is willing to receive, comfort, heal, and bless you... if you turn to Him.

So, turn to Him... NOW.

Post #91 - I'm Still Consistent!

It has now been almost a month since I have consistently written for this blog. I have explained in a previous post the reasons for my inconsistency and my desire to get back on track. This consistency blog and the lessons I've learned from it (from both my successes and failures) have helped me to grow and mature. 

I have recognized my strengths and weaknesses, my needs and desires, and the things I am willing to fight for (and the things I am not). I've realized the things I need to pick up and work more diligently on, and I've recognized those things that I need to put down and leave behind. 

Being consistent requires prioritizing and understanding what is of the most importance. Right now, my priorities include improving my time management, focus, creative and academic writing, overcoming fear, and increasing my confidence. 

I've learned that consistency doesn't mean beating myself up when I fall short of a goal or miss a deadline. It means not giving up when I do. It means getting back in the game and continuing to move forward, never letting the challenges of life stop me. It means picking up where I left off and trekking bravely onward. 

Consistency (and the lack thereof) is a teacher of grace, patience, and understanding. It has opened my eyes to the importance of failing and the lesson of not giving up. Consistency asks how bad you want it and is a strengthener of resolve. Consistency keeps you moving forward toward greatness.

And that's just where I'm headed!

Post #90 - Godly Time Management

I heard someone say that we only live once. I disagree with that statement. We, in fact, live every day. We are given multiple opportunities to wake up and make the most out of our time - out of our lives. 

We don't live once. We get blessed to live over and over and over again. It's only once that we die! 

Ephesians 5:15-17 says that we should be careful how we live. " Don't live like fools but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 

This is the way to live. We should not be so afraid or depressed or worried to take a chance in life. To live our lives to the fullest. We should make the most of every opportunity, stepping out in faith and putting God's agenda before our own. 

When we live this way, we will enjoy fuller, happier lives. When we let God to order our steps, He will lead us to abundance and fulfillment. 

The journey is not always easy but it is worth it. It makes us look at life differently, react differently, live differently. The secret is to never stop living! Never give up! 

I've come to the realization that I have been blessed with a great number of days and I cannot waste them. I can't waste my days sitting in fear or dwelling in the past. But I've got to make the most of this time that I've been given.

I've got to live better and love better, give better and do better. 

I've got to manage my time wisely because there's so much that God has planned for me to do. 

Post #89 - The Value of Consistency

I haven't been very consistent lately. It has been over a month since I have consistently written for this blog, which has left me in a state of anxiousness and disarray. This is, after all, a consistency blog!

I recently started going back to school. I still haven't had any luck getting a job, and it can get real depressing sitting around doing nothing, so I decided to go back to school. After I earned my Master's degree, I told myself that I was going to wait a while - at least a year - before going back. But, I desperately needed something to do. 

I started a doctoral program studying Communications that has proven to be very difficult. It's not necessarily hard work... It is challenging. And it is very time consuming. But I said that I was going to challenge myself more and take some risks, so.... I just underestimated how much time and work it would require.

So, some things got neglected. Namely, this blog. I put it aside to make sure I completed my coursework and focused all of my attention on it. But, I was putting God's work aside, which is not a viable long term option. 

So, after about six and a half weeks of attending classes, I am revising my schedule - again. I am working on being both efficient and effective and ensuring that I meet ALL deadlines - even those that I set for myself. I was treating my personal deadlines as if they weren't as important, but they are. I treated them as if they could wait, but they can't. 

I realized that I need to practice what I preach and put God and myself first. I need to make sure that I am making time for us.

And for this blog.

Writing for this blog is really important to me. Through it, I am learning the value of consistency. Even through NOT writing for the blog, NOT posting to it consistently, I am constantly thinking about my inconsistency and learning the value of it. I am also practicing creativity through the blog and increasing my writing skills. 

All I need to do now is get a hold of my time and manage it effectively. And I still intend to get a job, so I better get it together soon!

I can do it, I know I can!! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!! 

Post #88 - Receiving God's Comfort

I know you've been through a lot. We all have to endure some tough times. But God wants us to know that He is there - ready to love and comfort us. 

But God doesn't do all the comforting alone. He uses us for that. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says that "God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

So, when you need to be comforted, go to God and allow Him to comfort you. He will not only give you what you need to be healed and strengthened, but He will give you what is needed to help others be healed and strengthened as well. 

God will give you a testimony to share: words of wisdom to enlighten, words of affirmation to encourage, and words of love to heal the heart and bring peace and understanding. 

When we go through our hard times, we have to remember that they are not only for us. They are also for the people we are connected to and come into contact with. Our experiences can help someone safely out of theirs. Our mistakes can help someone else to avoid them.

I know it's hard to go through and endure the tests and trials we face. But there is no testimony without the test. And there is no growth, healing, revelation, or breakthrough without the testimony. 

And when we are healed, when we are comforted, we can give the gift of healing and comfort to someone else. 

Post #87 - Gaining Understanding

I came to a realization today... about understanding. 

The bible says to lean not on our own understanding, but to seek God and His understanding and He will direct us (Proverbs 3:6). 

As I was reading today, a very complex scholarly novel about literature, I began to get a little worked up over my lack of understanding of the topic. Scholarly and literary works tend to use big, intellectual words that only the people who have extensively studied the topic can understand. 

I found myself getting frustrated as a new doctoral student, over the fact that I am expected, at this stage, to critically examine and write about information that I know nothing about!

Then God reminded me of Proverbs 3:6. It is not my own understanding that I should depend on. I had a hard time understanding it because I didn't pray and give the assignment and my understanding of it to God before I began.

Some might say that I'm going too far, that it doesn't take all that...

But putting God first in everything means to put Him first.... in EVERYTHING. Even something as trivial as a doctoral assignment. 

I realized that I was depending on my own ability to understand the information I was reading. I, with my limited mind, was trying to understand a topic, or language, that I had never heard before. How can I expect myself to understand something I don't know? 

But God is all-knowing. 

And when we ask God for understanding, no matter the topic or situation, He will give it to us. He will give us the direction we need to gain the understanding we need. 

So, I stopped reading, I "woo-saa'd", and I went to God in prayer. I asked Him for understanding of the information and the ability to retain it. To gain knowledge of something I did not know before. And I asked for the ability to critically analyze the information and present it to my professor with the intellect that I know I possess. 

I just have to trust God for understanding, believe in myself, and tap into my God-given genius.

This is true for all of us. We must all do this. 

We all have the capacity to do beyond what we think we can do. To understand beyond what we think we can understand. 

We just have to depend on God's understanding and not our own.