Distractions

"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:11

Spending daily time in the Word isn't the easiest thing, because there are so many distractions. Work, sleep, television shows, entertainment, friendships, and other relationships can interfere with study time. Most often, there is time but we choose not to take advantage of it because we don't feel like studying. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, our emotions are fickle! We can't base our relationship with an unchanging God on our ever changing emotions. Just because you don't feel different after every quiet time, doesn't mean that you aren't changing. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that His word always produces fruit, it will not return void. As long are you're reading/ studying with a pure heart, you are growing, maturing, and learning. Happy Tuesday! 

Emotion led vs. Spirit led

"...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

There will be times where we're following Christ, operating in his will, and getting tested. Those thoughts of feeling unworthy, inferior, under qualified, over qualified, etc, can end up fueling our actions. They can cast doubt on past decisions. Once we get off track and possibly quit, the enemy has won. Being emotion led vs being spirit led can cause us to make rash decisions that lead us away from our purpose. In the end, Christ wants people sold out for Him. If you are unable to complete the assignment, he will raise someone else up to do it. Before making decisions seek God for his blessing. 

(Original post: November 22)

Not forgotten

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" Psalm 13:1 

At that moment, David felt like God was so far away and his enemies were winning as he suffered. How many times has it appeared that we were doing everything right but non-believers or our sworn enemies are doing better than us? That place can be confusing and frustrating, but God knows his children. It's ok to tell The Lord how you feel at that moment, as David did. But further along in the psalm he realized he couldn't wallow in self pity forever stating "I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will song to The Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me" Psalm 13:5-6. 

No, his situation did not change, but his perspective did. He praised and prayed through his emotions and feelings. Instead of constantly focusing on something you're not pleased with, give it to God, make a change in your control, and be positive. 

(Original post: November 20)