Tag: faithfulness

Cultivating Faithfulness

During my devotion this morning, I was struck by this passage of Scripture.

Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the Lord and do good; Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Of course, I have read this before. However, if you know God, there are times when you read something. Then, you read it again and again, and yet see something that didn’t strike you before like it does at that moment. “Cultivating faithfulness” was impressed upon my spirit. I looked up the word “cultivate” in the dictionary. Even though I know what it means – nurture, feed, promote growth – I had to see the definition again. The fifth definition given was “to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine”. The seventh definition given was “to devote oneself”. 

In perspective of this Scripture, the word choice of cultivating faithfulness is speaking of our spiritual journey. We are responsible for cultivating our faithfulness. We are to devote ourselves to being faithful. Educating ourselves in the Word of God and then applying to our daily lives. While it does seem very simple, it takes time and practice. Being faithful means being aware of what you have chosen to do, and then continue doing it. It means educating or learning something new to do it better. I mentioned in an earlier post this week that some things will always take time. We have the microwave, the computer, etc. and can get things done faster than ever before. However, cultivating takes more time and attention to detail, as well as practice. The first thought that came to me about cultivate is relative to land. When you consider farmers, they must cultivate the land to get the best harvest. Aren’t we looking for the best harvest when it comes to our walk with the Lord? Of course, the Lord gives the increase. There are those in our lives who plant seeds. But, are we cultivating those seeds towards faithfulness?

Do you have daily practices in place to cultivate your faithfulness? This question is for you to answer, to ponder, to consider what your harvest will be. Be blessed and have a great day!

His Word Says…

God will never fail you or abandon you.

Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua received the commandment to be strong and courageous. And he did just that. It is really important that we trust God on this journey. When we don’t trust Him, we are telling God He can’t take care of us or won’t. Joshua believed God for the promised land and thereafter. Joshua displayed faith. The Bible talks about our heroes of faith. Joshua was definitely one of the heroes. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith is is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

2nd Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” NIV

What does it take for you to believe God? Do you need to see it first? That then, is not faith. It is no simpler than taking God at His word; however hard that may be.😫

I have to admit that there are times the information is repetitive. That is significant in that we must build a strong foundation. Repetition of the correct information builds the foundation.

The Soul

Customer Plant2 copyThe struggle between the flesh and the spirit is real. The challenge to believe or not to believe is real and strong. The need to be at peace and content in a world that seeks more and more is ever present. No place or amount is good enough because we are never really fulfilled. What does it take to enjoy the day and be happy that you have what you need? Do our wants really define who we are? Do they help us in the long run? The focus on everything going smooth for a long period has some in distress. How long must we struggle to attain the things we need as opposed to the things we want?
Continue reading The Soul

This Week’s Frenzy…Trying to Figure it Out

Deep Thought
Trying to Figure It Out

This post culminates what I has resonated from reading other bloggers over the past couple days and this week’s frenzy. I mention a couple of these bloggers as well as their article and site links in this post. I have been in a frenzy within myself. Bills need to be paid and I am frustrated with that because not having enough on hand is irritating. (Of course the irritation is fueled by the countless reminders that a bill is past due. Do we have to have them text two to three times a day?) Finance has been a serious struggle of mine, especially being a single parent. The economy has not always been this crazy for lack of a better term. Have I always made the right financial decision? Of course, not. In the vicious circles that play through my head, I try not to end up making the wrong decision. I was reading this post and saw the whole truth of the what we put ourselves through. (https://analindenblog.wordpress.com) The mental cycles that we take ourselves through just to make a final decision, hopefully right decision. I tend to see an end result and want to try any means necessary as the best course of action. That, of course, is not how it always plays out. Finance is a major area where God requires trust. Read more of this week’s frenzy…!

Faithfulness

Nature's Beauty
The Faithfulness of God in Nature’s Beauty

My comfort today in the Lord is so much stronger. It has been an interesting January. The commitment to writing has been mentioned. A narrower focus, concentrating on my gift and being consistent or faithful has kept me appreciating all that He does for me. Faithfulness is an interesting word because it automatically lends itself to the subject of faith. However, it is not just about faith in God but also about faith in the things you do.

 

Faithfulness is defined by such terms as

  • strict or thorough in the performance of duty; true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc; steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant
  • reliable, trusted, or believed
  • adhering or true to fact, a standard
  • full of faith; believing (By the way this is listed as an obsolete definition. I tend to believe there is nothing obsolete about faithfulness.)

In looking at the above definition, it is definitely necessary to build this character trait. In noticing the difference and changes in myself after committing to a particular thing, I can look back and see that when I was all over the place, I was in a chaotic place. There is definitely something to be said for faithfulness. Keep reading on God’s faithfulness…!

Aligned with God

I thought about this post yesterday when driving to pick my daughter up from work.  Gratitude and appreciation fill my heart today as God continues to prove His faithfulness and love.  Writing is a passion of mine and He has opened the door.  Of course, it is His gift to me. The Word of God says that your gift will make room for you.  You may be asking how this is related to the subject.   When things are chaotic, and you really can’t figure out what direction to take, it’s time to stop, take inventory, and proceed with knowledge and wisdom.  The knowledge of truth and wisdom comes from God.

Well, a few weeks ago I attended a service that talked about being aligned with God. This Pastor spoke about receiving strange instruction from God.  In his review of the Scriptures, he brought to our attention several instances that showed when the children of God called upon Him in challenging situations, He gave strange instruction.  I preface with this because many times when we finally get to that place when we are aligned with God, He has given us strange instruction. It’s not the typical “what I would do in this situation” instruction.  It’s what He wants us to do in the situation.  Strange instruction may seem just that to onlookers but being in alignment with God is more important that making sure someone understands exactly what’s going on.  Many times, we don’t even understand every element of what God is doing.

As I write, and praise God for new paid writing assignments, it has taken me quite a bit of time to be rightly aligned with God.  I’ve tried doing my own thing for so long and trying to figure it out, I kept missing the mark.  God didn’t withhold blessings but the fulness and richness of His blessing was amiss.  I don’t say this lightly and don’t want it to be construed in the wrong way.  But, if you evaluate situations that have occurred in your lifetime, check and see which of those had the fullness and richness of God’s blessing.  We walk this journey sometimes accepting that we will just get by, and that God will give us enough strength for the next step or carry us sometimes.  And, then, there are  those times that His richness and fullness brings tears to the eyes because you cannot get this from anyone but Him, your Creator.  He fills your heart with His love for you when you realize that He knows the most intimate details about you and fills the needs of those details.  Today I praise God!  Praise Him with me.

Sandra Vercellono