Faint Not

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

More than anything, my desire is to continue walking in the Spirit as I have been instructed to do; seeking continued and constant fellowship with my King. Starting my day, praising Him for the great things He has done and continuing that attitude throughout the day. Being, in a sense, romantically infatuated with my Beloved in that every conscious thought dwells on God’s beauty, glory, and grace. Every action is thought of multiple times before doing them. “Would my Beloved approve of this behavior? Would my Beloved desire that I speak to this person in such a manner? Would my Beloved want me to buy this beggar lunch? Would these things please my Beloved?”

O, do not grow weary in doing well. Do not grow weary in God’s love. Though your body be tired and your heart feels not the warmth of love for your Beloved, His light of love will never grow dim. He remains constant; unchanging and unmoved by your emotions. His love is everlasting. It burns like a mighty flame. It’s jealousy is strong as death, but no grave can hold it. His love carried Him to the cross. His love died for you. His love bore the burden, guilt, and shame of your sin. His love “thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil 2:6-9)

O, faint not in doing well. Live each day madly in love with Your Savior and King. Awake each morning, stirred to love and sing praises to the King. Walk not with the flesh, but walk with the Spirit of truth. Allow Him to consume your every conscious and waking thought. Let every action or word be spoken through the filtering hands, heart, and mind of the Holy Spirit. It is He whom God left to guide us, comfort us, and teach us all things that He has said.

O, wayward heart, may this day forever change my life, fellowship, and daily walk with my King, my Beloved. O, wayward heart, faint not in well doing for in due season it will reap.

Today is the day...

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our god; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the Spirit of Heaviness; that they might be called tress of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

It would seem that the six days away from church are filled with continued weights of the world. Weights of self, pride, busy schedules, household chores, and responsibilities to friends, co-workers, and family. Weights of gluttony and high expectations of self and others. Little time was spent with my Savior this week.

As Saturday approaches my body argues adamantly to stay home on Sunday and rest. The week has been hard. The kids have been uncontrollable, and the marriage has been shaky at best. I haven’t even read the Sunday School lesson and it was only three pages. My body tries again to convince me to stay home on Sunday.

But I must confess that the Spirit of Truth reminds me of the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 11. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These words comfort me and ease my mind and body to sleep. Giving over the heavy weights of the week, my worries, and concerns to He who promised to “find rest for my soul.” To He who beckons, “Come.” “Come unto me.” To He whom I trust and believe.

As the morning dawns, I awake to a hymn from old running through my mind.
“There’s within my heart a melody.
Jesus whispers sweet and low.
Fear not I am with thee peace be still.
In all of life’s ebb and flow.”

As I lay there listening I know the source from which the music lies. I am refreshed in such a way that only God can do. He has supplied the appropriate amount of rest that I needed and my heart and spirit within me is awake. I am satisfied and ready for today’s journey.

But it is not just any journey. It is a day in which I have been given “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Today is the day I have come in humility and thankfulness of heart to worship and praise the King. Today is the day to be strengthened and encouraged with corporate worship and praise. Today is the day to allow the Spirit within to bond with those around and lift a sweet “sounding” aroma of thanksgiving and praise to the One who saved me from this body of death. Today is the day to recall the goodness of the One who preached good tidings. Today is the day to share with others the One who mended my broken heart, and who loosed the chains that bound me to this world. Today is the day to celebrate God’s liberating power; the workings of the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, and guide. Today is the day to celebrate God’s enduring and everlasting love. Today is the day to praise Him for His persistence in His pursuit to find and seek the lost. Today is the day to know His loving hand of provision, protection, and yes, even His hand of discipline.

Today is the day for praise.
Lift high your voice and sing with all.
Lift high your voice its ne'r too small.
Today is the day to praise the King.

Remember the Bereans

Acts 17:10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea; who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

In the movie “Remember the Titans” the football coach, played by Denzel Washington, and the multi racial football team were remembered for their ability to overcome the stereotypes of their day; they crossed racial lines, and formed a formidable football team. Remember the Titans, remember their struggle, remember their strength, and remember how they affected their community.

The Bereans were similar to the Titans and we would do well to remember them. They were “more noble than those in Thessalonica.” Why? Because they did not just accept the words proclaimed by Paul and Silas, but they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They didn’t just sit in Sunday school and in a church service, listen to TV evangelist, or broadcast radio and accept what was said. They searched the scriptures as to “whether those things were so” that were spoken to them.

Another important fact about the Bereans is that their minds were ready to receive the gospel that was presented to them. They didn’t spend their days being filled by the silliness of the world, but they went about diligently searching the truth, looking for God in everything they did. They were ready in their minds and in their hearts. What a fabulous thing to be able to be taught and led by the Holy Spirit. To search the scriptures, taught by the Spirit of truth, and to know the heart and mind of Christ.

Remember the Bereans. Remember that we also have this Spirit within us. We have the same ability as the Bereans. Start everyday in the truth and liberty for which we have been called. For we “that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:24-25) “Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)

Remember the Bereans. Remember to search the Scriptures. Remember Christ’s word to the disciples that they would be left the comforter, who would teach them and call to rememberance everything He taught them. (John 14:26). Remember that it is God who created us, loved, and sent His son to die on a cross for us. Remember that He desires that none should perish, but that they all would have everlasting life. Remember this gift of life and share it with others. Remember the Bereans.

Prayer of a Prodigal Daughter

Abba, Father. You are the creator and sustainer of life. You are my provider, protector, healer, teacher, and Lord. You are my God, my Savior, and my King and I humbly bow before Your glory and majesty. Father, I am filthy from my traveling in this world, blemished and broken from my dependence on self and others, distanced by the distractions this world has offered. Oh Father, as I look back on this long road I have traveled away from you, I cry at the days, weeks, and months of intimate fellowship I have lost away from Your Presence. I am ashamed. My knees begin to buckle, my bowed head continues to descend to the floor, and my heart cries out for you.

Oh Father, I was wrong, I was selfish, and I feel so alone. Oh Father, hear the cry of this your servant. Call to me, come to me, run to me and walk me back, carry me back into Your loving presence. Oh Father, I long to be with You. Oh Father, revive this heart and Spirit within me and grant in me a willing Spirit to sustain me in this continued life of surrendered service to You, my King. Father, your servant is weary. Your servant is tired. Your servant is lost and longs only for You. Oh Father, hear my cry.

As I wait in humbled silence, a still small whisper says, “I AM here.” The knowledge of His presence sends me further to the floor in prone humility and shame. Oh Father, look not upon the iniquities of my heart, look not upon my feet that have wandered far from you. Look not upon the face that looked unto another, whose eyes wandered and turned from your glory. Oh Father, I am ashamed, look not upon this wretched sinner.

As I lay in proned silence, a song of my youth intrudes my mind;

“Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same

He touched me. Oh He touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.”

Restoration and healing begin to flow over my body. Tears of sorrow and shame pour from the window of my heart, cleansing and healing this wayward soul. The song continues repeating itself over and over again, until my heart truly knows “the joy that floods my soul!” because “He touched me and made me whole.”

As I continue to lay in proned silence the words of Paul in Romans come to mind, “What a wretched man I am? Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.!”

Most glorious Father and King, Thank you. Thank you for your Son, who died for me. Thank you for your loving sacrifice, upon the tree. Thank you for this gift you give, and may I never to forget.