Welcome to another week of Lessons learned on my faith walk! God is undoubtedly testing me so that I can grow my faith, but every day, I’m learning to praise Him for the tests rather than complain. God is doing amazing things, and He is an amazing God and, most importantly, a loving Father! So, since I started documenting my faith journey, one thing is to see God as my Father and not just as Creator of the universe. Though that is pretty awesome, it’s important to know He is our Father, and He is also a great one!
Prioritize God
It’s essential that, as Christians, we always put God first and what He desires above our own. That means always making time for Him and not putting Him on the back burner. It’s not that I wasn’t necessarily not putting God first, but God wanted me to focus on the importance of putting Him first. And sometimes, it doesn’t always look like praying and reading your Bible; it’s being obedient. So, if God told you to go on a walk, but you decide it’s better to sit in and read Psalms, that’s not prioritizing God.
Obedience and quick obedience are prioritizing God. Thus, it’s pivotal that we’re constantly checking in with Him so we’re always doing what He wants. This week, He wants me to prioritize my YouTube and the book I’m writing. And I’m not going to lie; structuring my days has been a little difficult, and I feel time gets away from me. However, God told me not to worry about the time and just get it done. Because there’s something called supernatural energy, where God will empower you to do His thing, and you still feel fantastic! So, I’m learning how to tap into that!
God doesn’t get mad at His children often but don’t test Him. Don’t test the waters with disobedience; do what God told you to, and do it quickly! There’s a reason why He wants you to prioritize certain things, because it could be that they’ll reach a particular soul and get them saved! You don’t know the bigger picture, but God does, so just be obedient!
Obedience Brings Blessings!
Job 36:11 says, “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.” Being Obedient obligates God to bless you! So, not only is being obedient good for reaching others, but it is also good for you as His servant! Whatever God tells you to do, it is always for your good, so it pays to listen to His instruction!
Continue to Intercede
So, if you guys are following along with these updates, a few weeks ago, a person I was praying for made me upset. Yea, but prayer works! Because I continued to intercede for them, I know that in the spiritual realm, things are changing within this person. I am praying in particular for their salvation and role in my life. And I no longer feel the burden I felt that first week; I feel at peace about them coming into the kingdom. I feel spiritually that they are wayyy closer to salvation than previously. Now, imagine if I had stopped praying when they first made me upset. That wouldn’t have been good; only God knows what would happen to them.
That’s why setting our feelings aside when things happen is important. We walk by faith, not by sight, but we must remember that sometimes when the devil throws us curveballs, it’s only a test of our faith. We cannot fail those tests because we submit to our feelings (flesh) over our Spirit. God allows certain things to take place so that our faith can grow, so the next time you encounter a challenge, overcome it with faith! Don’t mistake a challenge for a defeat; God wants to see you grow into the person He created you to be!
Show the love of Christ
Now, continuing with this person, though they upset me, I must still show them the love of Christ. However, showing the love of Christ doesn’t mean you can let people disrespect you. Set boundaries, and I had to set boundaries through the act of blocking them, lol. If you know me, you know I love to block people, and it’s honestly needed when you’re setting boundaries. Yet, I still pray for them daily, and when I see them, I am friendly. I’m just patiently waiting for them to get their act together so I can unblock them. However, no matter what, we are demonstrating the love of Christ because that is how we reach the lost! This person, in particular, is not saved, but I have faith that they will be very soon, so I must still act Christ-like.
Trust God
So, I am taking summer classes, and when you are enrolled in a certain amount of credits, you get financial aid. I am enrolled in the credits needed for financial aid, but the credits are between two different summer semesters. Due to that, the refund I thought I would be receiving this week won’t be received until June. Financially, that definitely changed some things for me, but we trust God! At first, I cried a little, but I dried up those tears and started looking at God’s Word above my circumstances.
I started praising God for my desired outcome and put Him in remembrance of His word! Now, I am still waiting for the breakthrough and testimony, but it is coming. God is a good God, a faithful and loving Father. So, since I put my trust in that, I know that He will come through for me each and every time! Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.”
God doesn’t forsake the righteous (His children) and doesn’t allow their children to suffer! So, scripturally, God must take care of me, and that’s why I have peace in the middle of the storm.
Obedience is Beneficial
When you obey, you have much more available to you than someone in disobedience. For instance, with the situation I’m in, I couldn’t pull on God’s word the way I am if I was living in disobedience. You must know that God’s word only truly works when you’re living within His commandments. So, if you’re actively living in sin, not much is available for you, and you are living on grace and mercy and the prayers of someone.
However, that only does so much when you’re out of God’s will. If you’re not in His will, God will allow things to happen, and sometimes it’s so you can repent and get in His will. God will allow you to suffer if it pushes you toward Him! So, be mindful of your current situation and evaluate what it’s trying to teach you.
So, I’ve learned as I do what God tells me, it’s easier to believe for His promises because Biblically, I have a right to them. If you live to God’s righteous standard, you can command the blessing to take place in your life. We have a covenant with God as His children, and it’s our responsibility to pull on it! We aren’t meant to live defeated lives but to be victorious! So, we must start living in God’s will, and after that, expect Him to do His part!
Do It When He Tells You!
Obedience is great, but it’s even better when you do it when God tells you to do it. What do I mean by that? If God tells you something, it should be done immediately, if possible, or at least within 48 hours. God loves a quick and obedient servant; that is what we are to be! We must quickly follow God’s instruction because we don’t know who it may bless. Also, when He tells you to do it, you have the fire and passion. If you wait, that fire and passion leave, and the instruction is not as helpful.
This is something I am still working on. There are plenty of times that time gets away from me, and I end up not doing what God told me to do hours ago. And yea, this is a huge thing I need to work on. Quick obedience shows that God can trust you. It also means He can grow you as He trusts you more because He sees you take His instruction very seriously.
As I am still working on this, I’m trying not to beat myself up. I hold myself to very high standards.
Peace Comes from God
Being obedient and knowing God’s word has undoubtedly brought me peace. It’s important to spend some time meditating on God’s word. That’s how you figure out what belongs to you, how to be successful, and how to overcome fear. Without knowing God’s word, fear can grip you severely; however, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). God is always working things out for your good and the more you’re in the Bible, the more you’ll realize that.
This is why, despite my situation, I have peace because I know the word. If you ever feel anxious or fearful, open your Bible. His word is life, peace, and joy! God didn’t give us the Bible for it to sit around. He gave us His word so we can use it during spiritual attacks. The word is our weapon, and we must start using it daily! You can never have true peace without reading the Bible daily. It says daily bread for a reason.
Don’t Let Disappoints Lead You Away From God
So, last week, I had a shortcoming in my faith, that made me disappointed but God told me to not let it stop me from what I’m doing. We all fall short in some area, but we shouldn’t allow that to pull us away from God! God can uses everything as a lesson and He did with me! In this shortcoming I had, He taught me that I need to be patience about His promises, and in my waiting season to act accordingly.
When you fall short in your faith the devil is very quick to throw guilt and shame in your face. In past, this would’ve worked but God gave me a pep talk was like “nah, we don’t have time for this, dust yourself off and let’s go,”. And sometimes that’s exactly what we need to hear! I didn’t have time to mope around and be sad, I had time to get up and try again!
So, get up and try again! Psalm 24:16 says, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.” God hasn’t counted you out because you messed up! He is expecting you to get up and continue doing the work of the Lord. Be encouraged and don’t let the enemy take you out of God’s will! God has so much planned for you. Get into your Bible, speak verses out loud, praise God, and keep your eyes on Him! The reason you fall short is because your focus isn’t 100% on God, so let’s redirect our attention to God and have full faith in His promises.
God’s Warnings Are Always Right!
So, a few weeks ago God warned me that I would get quite a bit of male attention over the summer. And it wasn’t for me to act a fool because I know a thing or two or three about my future husband. Knowing what I know, I know who ain’t it! So, last week twice in one day, had two guys trying to get at me!! And because I remember God’s warning and that it was for me to act correct, I paid them no mind.
God warns us because He wants us to act according to His will when the time comes. It can be tempting to act according to our flesh, but that isn’t why He warned me. In the past, male validation was a huge issue for me. However, as I’ve grown with God, I learned that His validation is the only one that matters.
If God has given you a warning or told you something that would prompt certain behaviors, listen! If He told you to stay away from certain people, then don’t start going out with them. If He told you that person isn’t for you and someone else is, don’t keep hanging out with that person. God tells us and warns us because He wants the best for us. He has something better for us. Or in my case, He wants me to avoid traps that would prevent me and my future husband getting together. Your life will be so much easier following the voice of God! It pays to listen. Luke 11:28 says, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Listen to what God has to say and do it!
A Call to Salvation
If you are someone who needs to come to God, do not hesitate. We are in the last seconds of the last days and we cannot play around anymore. God has a great calling for your life, don’t miss out. Your life will be easier, God will replace everything you lost and bring into a place of victory! If you’ve felt the tug of God on your heart and you’ve made it to the end of this blog, say this prayer!
“Dear Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins, turn my back to them, and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day. I accept Him into my heart now; I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart Jesus is Lord. By faith, I give Him my whole life, heart, mind, and soul. Amen!” If you said this prayer, go to the I Just Got Saved page for church recommendations, a Bible, and a journal!
I hope this helped, and God bless!
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