Consistency

So let’s talk consistency. I wrote about follow through in the beginning of the year and let’s just say . . my consistency with follow through hasn’t been the greatest. We’ve been talking about natural gifts in bible study the past couple of weeks and I’ve recently discovered that I am a creative person. For the longest, I’ve always thought I was the least creative person, yet I learned creativity comes in many shapes and forms. When I think creative, I think art, fashion, decor, things like that. Writing for me never made me creative (in my head) but it definitely does, and I want to tap more into that part of me. Ideas run through my mind often—I have tons of visions in my mind, however the execution is the area in which I lack. Therefore, it often takes me longer than it should to complete tasks or to bring my visions to life. Learning that I’m a creative also made me more aware of my perfectionist attitude. I see the end result, the finished product in my mind, however, the work that needs to be done to get there is the toughest part for me. The irony in that, is that the work to be done is the most important part and requires the most effort. It requires knowing where to start. It requires some trial and errors. It requires, say it with me: consistency. 

A definition that I found to be the most convicting is: the achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time. To me, this says that the more consistent you are, the better you perform. Which makes total sense. So, why do I have month long spurts between blog posts you ask? Because I struggle with consistency. When I write, I tell myself I have to feel inspired. And I often do, however, I’m not consistent with writing things down; with my schedule, I feel like I’m always on the go. And if I don’t have time to write a full story, I let the thought go. Instead of writing down the thought and allowing/trusting God to give me the full story later. So I am making this a public declaration, that I will be better. Writing is so therapeutic for me and I love sharing my thoughts on a page. God has definitely given me a gift along with a desire to use it and I don’t want to be like the guy with the one talent who buried it in the ground instead of using it to multiply for the Kingdom. I don’t know how far writing this blog will take me or what it may turn in to, but I know this is where God is telling me to start. I know the visions He’s given me, and it’s going to take some consistency to get there. So as afraid as I am to commit to one post a week, here it is. Faith without works is dead, so let’s get to work.

Until next time . .

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

““He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.” - Luke 16:10‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ (‭KJV‬‬)

2 Corinthians 3:17

Where are you? Sometimes it’s hard to identify. But truly ask yourself, where are you? In your life, in your home, in your relationships, your job? Are you close to the Spirit of God or do these things pull you away? Do you feel deeply connected with your Spirit or are you sometimes not sure how close God really is to you? Sometimes it’s hard to know, because sometimes you want to believe He’s so close, but life makes you feel like He’s far away. You start to believe He’s not there with you. You start to ask, God why are You allowing this to happen to me? You start to ask, where am I really going? The kicker is, we must walk after the Spirit and never compromise. Otherwise, you get weaker. You become more vulnerable. More susceptible to temptation. Less in control of your flesh. And that’s not how God called us to be. With Him, there’s strength in our weakness. With Him, there’s endurance to resist temptation. With Him, there’s power and self-control. So again, I ask . . where are you? The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Wherever you are, there is a way out. And God is faithful to deliver you. 

I’m living proof . . stay tuned for more. 

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ (‭KJV‬‬)

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7 (KJV)

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” - Romans‬ ‭8:5‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

Love Never Fails

Relationships.. you don’t really know what it’s like til you’re in it. Dysfunction.. you don’t really see it til you’re called out on it. Crazy how easy it is to say you’re going to submit to God’s will til He presents a circumstance or situation that causes you to sacrifice your own. We all have a choice. And often times, our emotions will keep us from God’s will. He’s called us to live in love. And if I’ve learned one thing, is that love is not a feeling . . It’s a fact. Which means that at the end of the day, it must be your deciding grace, that no matter what emotions come across, love has to win. Our spirits are fighting everyday to win against our flesh. The more you hold on to you, the less you get of God. We honestly make it harder for ourselves to live in love. We want someone else to feel our pain. To experience our hurt. To feel as worthless. When instead we should be letting go because love never fails. It makes no sense to go through life hurting others because you’re hurt. That’s not what Christ called you to do. The second greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor as yourself. We are to love because He first loved us. So there’s really no choice. It comes down to what matters the most. Who do you want to feed and satisfy—your flesh? Or your Spirit? I guess letting go so easy makes me feel weak.. especially in moments where I am the one to blame or I have to be the one to accept responsibility, or I did the most wrong. It feels like a personal attack to my character. How do I just throw that under the rug? You don’t Alleiah...you have conversation. You’ve literally got to control your flesh. Speak up when there’s offense..disagreement. Dislike. EXPRESS YOURSELF. It’s not that I was afraid, or was I? His word truly says he ‘whoso confesseth and forsake them’.. who takes ownership and responsibility. It’s tough of course, but it has to be done. And then what happens? You receive mercy. And it’s really that simple. There’s no need to carry it, to dwell in it, to stay mad longer than required. Love has to be bigger, because again, it’s the one, true fact . . and it never fails.

Until next time . .

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘Y OU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘Y OU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’” - Matthew‬ ‭22:37-39‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” - 1 John‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

Obedience can definitely be overlooked. We often make choices without considering the things that we’ve been praying for, or the gifts that have been given to us, or even so.. those that are connected to us. Every action causes for a reaction, whether good or bad, whether right away or some time in the future. And whatever the outcome is, we have to live with it. 

For me personally, I wish I could sit here and say that I don’t always realize my disobedience until that something happens. It’s so easy to say ‘I was caught off guard,’ or ‘man, I never saw this coming.’ In all honesty though, right in that moment, I’m able to pin point exactly what decisions I made that possibly or rather more than likely got me to where I am. They’re not always terribly bad or wrong, but.. isn’t that just an excuse we give ourselves to justify our behavior? We sugar coat our own actions to make ourselves not appear so ugly. You know how people try to get away with telling only half the truth and not the whole story? You pick and choose what you share so that the blame or fault isn’t entirely on you? That’s what being disobedient is like. However when it comes to the will of God, we don’t get to pick and choose and hope for the best. You either follow Him or you don’t. You either trust in Him or you don’t. You either obey His commands or you don’t. There’s no in between. There’s no getting by. It’s either Heaven or hell. And even the smallest mistake can change the course of your trajectory. 

So, this is just a piece of encouragement to humble yourself and to follow that voice in your head that tells you when you’re doing wrong. Life is so much better when you have peace in your heart, knowing that your actions are aligned with the word of God. We are no longer slaves to sin and we have the power to overcome our human nature. Whatever is done in the dark will come to the light, whether in your life or in somebody’s you know. Don’t underestimate the power you have on the inside and the authority that God has given you. This life is so much bigger than us. No, we’re not perfect and we aren’t going to always get it right... there’s grace for that. However, there’s somebody out there relying on your obedience rather you know it or not. So be blameless in all of your thoughts and in all of your ways. Trust in the Lord and trust that the reward is always far greater than the sacrifice. 

Until next time . .

“But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

““I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” - Revelation‬ ‭3:15-16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless], Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the LORD.” - Psalms 119:1‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)