Don't give up. We have dreams and desires to fulfill in our life but a lot of times when we take our beginning step in the direction of our dreams, we tend to love it so much but forget that nothing is perfect. Remember though, that with every dream comes struggles, especially if the dream is something God had planned for us to do. The devil usually schemes against us to knock us down off our dream journey so we get tired, give up the fight and quit working for the Lord. Hebrews 10:35-36 says, "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise [of our coming Kind]". We need to keep fighting against the one who tries his hardest everyday to make us feel and live miserably, satan. Wouldn't you want to live joyfully and happily rather than hateful? I most definitely would and the only way to live that way is through our Lord Jesus Christ. He WAS, IS, and is YET TO COME. In time your fighting and perseverance will be rewarded with everlasting life with the One who loves you more than anything in this entire world. This is something I can guarantee. With God all things are possible and if you just trust in His guidance and put your life in His hands, you will see marvelous results. Just don't give up and keep on the fight, you'll see for yourselves.
What We Deserve
1 Cor. 3:14 talks about how we as followers are to build on the foundation that has already been laid by Christ Jesus, His grace. We are the temple being build on top of the foundation of Christs' grace. I think that people believe when they do a good deed or something that is Christ-like, that they deserve their reward right away. I honestly do not think that way, at least anymore. I don't really remember thinking like I deserved a reward for helping a neighbor or doing a good deed, but I'm sure I have without even knowing it. But now, I have a mindset of thinking that God deserves everything and I deserve nothing. I'm only doing what He calls me to do for the His glory. I understand somewhat of how mighty and powerful God is and that I just know He will give unto me that which I deserve, whether it be something little, big, or even nothing at all and I know His timing is the best. For a lot of new followers this is something hard to comprehend at first; the fact that God is all-powerful and we can have a love for Him as where we just want to do good for His glory instead of having to do good for Him. We will be willing and wanting to put our lives out there for His glory and when we do, He recognizes that. This kind of willingness takes time, patience, practice and experience. We may fall down a thousand times but we always need to get back up, and God is there to lend His right hand. A relationship with Jesus doesn't just happen all at once. It is a continual battle between the devil and ourselves. Jesus Christ will always be there waiting for us to give up the worldly things for Him and the eternal life he offers, but we often fall to satan's ways. That is the reason why it takes us so long to have a strong relationship with God to where we put our trust in Him and leave the tempting but fun and exciting sin behind us. Those things do not offer eternal love, grace, happiness, and life. They only offer happiness and satisfaction at the moment we partake in them. God tests our faith to make us see where we are weak in our walk with Him. He does that to make us stronger in our faith and to help us notice the worldly sins that tempt us; then our faith will be stronger and we will know exactly what is the right and faithful decision to turn to. That is something that I've learned over this past year in college. Since I've moved home it has been easy to not want to go out and party but now that school is ending soon and there are big parties going on this weekend I'm extremely tempted to join in the fun. Yes, I did say fun because they are fun to go to and participate in, but they are also against what God wants for me. Luckily I made a few friends that don't do those things and they invited me to go hang out with them the day the party is going on. God knew I needed something to help me make the decision a little easier because honestly, if those girls didn't invite me to come hang out I most likely would have went to that party just because I haven't seen a lot of the people that will be attending it and I know it would have been really fun. I'm thankful for God to have my back on things. He knows what to do all the time and does it at the perfect timing. Something to remember is the long term benefits of each decision. For the party I would only have that one night of fun and friendship but hanging out with the girls will allow me to continue building a friendship with them. I'm always in need of that reminder and in need of pray for tempting situations.
Calling Out
Jeremiah 33:3- "Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."
To limit God is to use the same proven methods that have worked in the past over and over again; not letting God work in you to grow in your faith. God is so unpredictable and we will never comprehend that until we fix our eyes on His majesty and actually believe what we say about Him. Sometimes I will say a little pray as in, "Please, God, let Your light shine through me today" and not really believe that He will let His light shine. This is limiting God and not allowing His knowledge, grace, and love flow through me as I thought I always have. God is so amazing and I know He is working in my life right now. But as a sinner and doubtful person, I always need to remind myself to put everything in God's hands because He is the one who will show me great and mighty things if I just ask and believe in it. Empty yourselves before the Lord and allow Him to mold you into His masterpiece. He is willing and waiting for you. Just call to Him.
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