From Faith To Faithfulness

Everything we are talented or equipped to do is because of God. The dreams and aspirations we have are gifts He gives us to be given back and used in service to Him. We may or may not receive accolades, encouragement or compensation from man but we are not in service to man nor to ourselves. Can man benefit from what God has put us here to do? Yes absolutely! But only because we serve God in our service to man. But does being faithful to God automatically mean we have faith in Him? No. Can you be faithful but faithless? Yes.  You can do the things expected of you, carry out what you believe to be your assignment and not be clear on why you do the things you do.  The Bible says it is impossible, simply impossible to please God without faith. Faith in what? Our abilities or our potential? Faith in our ability to create success or wealth? Faith in ourselves or man?  Or our faith in being faithful? Faith in those things alone will only lead to disappointment, hurt and disillusionment because they can be fickle. Circumstances change, people change and our feelings change. The key to fulfillment and the prosperity of your soul is the faithfulness that comes from your faith in God Himself.

Hebrews 11:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

The only thing that will please God is your faith in Him, your faith that He is faithful and your faith in His good intentions toward you.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)

22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

Do you trust Him with you? No matter how you feel or what it looks like?  Is He trustworthy? You may not ask yourself those particular questions but depending on circumstances and events, we may find ourselves evaluating or pondering just what God is up to. These are valid and important questions we all answer in one way or another with how we live. Are you defeated or hopeful? Can you find greater, deeper  meaning in the things you experience good or bad?

Romans 8:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)

28 We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Will you, as Joseph did, hang in there and allow Him to turn around for good that which was meant for evil?

Genesis 50:20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

20 As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.

Start with Genesis 37 to understand all of what Joseph went through and how God turned it around for good.  Life has a way of sometimes busting us in the gut so hard that it rattles our resolve. But know this Beloved, God knows, He gets it. Man may condemn you for your struggle but He does not.

Romans 8:1

Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

Going through things that shake your faith can work to build your faith. The key is to take your questions, disappointment and your pain to Him. He can take it and He is not mad at you. Believe it or not when you come to Him and express yourself with an open heart it shows you trust Him. God is God. He is all things and can do all things. But when we are hurting our worlds get very small. When in pain the power of God can seem illusive and reserved for other more deserving souls. This of course is not true. When you train yourself to go to, depend on and lean on Christ when you are confused, hurt and weak He has a gentle way of revealing His Deity and power to you. You know how when you get physically sick and you eat soup because you cannot keep down a big meal? Well Jesus holds your head and lovingly gives you what you need to build up your faith when you are weak. There is no shame in weakness. The shame comes when we rely on artificial temporary things instead of God in our weakness. Then guilt in one form or another sets in and sets us up for depression and deception. Paul the powerful apostle of Jesus Christ had something going on in his life that caused him extreme discomfort and stress either physically, spiritually or both. This is what he discovered:

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn ( splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted.

8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;

9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

The past two weeks I wrote about being like Christ, which can seem to be a pretty lofty goal and daunting task. This was not meant to intimidate.  It makes no difference where you are on that path. We are all on our own spiritual journey and God is taking us at the pace He desires for us. He knows in our human condition how hard it is to strive to be like Him. He understands our challenges, our struggles and our pain. He knows that it is impossible in our own strength to be like Him. That is why He will never let you go, never let you down and show Himself strong in your weakness. He will hold you up and even carry you when necessary. As you learn more and more to depend on and expect His help your faith in Him will not only please Him it will build the kind of Faith that knows, understands and says:

2 Corinthians 12:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

Be encouraged Beloved.

May God Bless and Keep you.

With Love,

Ms. Wanda, GAC