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faithfulness

Fruit of the Spirit – FAITHFULNESS

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” 
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

When I was eleven, my family moved to Israel as missionaries. Every time we crossed the ocean the airplane would be full of Jews. Sometime during the flight (depending upon what time the flight was) the Jewish males would wrap what is called “tefillin” around their hands and foreheads as part of their prayer ritual. Tefillin are small black leather boxes that contain scrolls inscribed with parts of the Torah. The Orthodox Jews faithfully wrap these little boxes around their hands and foreheads when reciting their daily prayers. They do this because in Deuteronomy 6:8 the Lord commands the Israelites to bind His law on their foreheads and tie them as symbols on their hearts.

Sometimes it made me so sad to watch them so faithfully reciting their heartfelt prayers to God while at the same time rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. So many Jews are so faithful in their worship to God, while remaining blind to the Truth of Jesus Christ. But as followers of Jesus Christ we are not blind! We have been set free to faithfully worship our Lord and Savior. In Proverbs 3:3 the father is telling the son, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” I pray you would take a few moments as we close to get vulnerable before God and ask Him to convict you of any areas in your life that you are unfaithful to Him. Sit in silence for a few moments and allow God to speak. If there is anything, I encourage you to confess it back to God, ask for His forgiveness, ask Him to help you become faithful in that area, and find an accountability partner if needed. The Bible continually emphasizes the everlasting faithfulness of God towards His creation. As His children it is only fitting that we strive to do the same toward Him.

God bless!

Noree Wegmeyer

Photo Credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photo/faith-1221055

 

Faithfulness

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“They included all the little ones… For they were faithful in consecrating themselves.” 

2 Chronicles 31:18 (NIV) 

Ten years ago I walked down the aisle to the man I knew (and still know!) God intended for me to spend the rest of my life with. That day we pledged to have each other’s backs no matter what.

In this verse in 2 Chronicles the Levites (Israelites who aided the priests in their temple duties) were being commended for faithfully consecrating themselves unto the Lord. Faithfulness is a daily occurrence, not a sporadic implementation, but a steady determination demonstrated through action.

In high-school I faithfully attended church and youth group, but the hours in between were spent living selfishly for myself and unfaithfully toward the Lord. God saw my heart for what it was and He lovingly but firmly led me through some disciplinary action in order to align my heart and actions with His.

Just as I pledged to be faithful to my husband ten years ago, I pledged to be faithful to God when I asked Him to be my Lord and Savior. I am very thankful I have been much more successful at remaining faithful to my husband than to the Lord, for no earthly man has the infinite amount of grace and mercy our Lord has.

In Romans 12:1 we are encouraged to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord. I hope we can all heed the example of the Levites in 2 Chronicles and be commended for faithfully living a life that glorifies the Lord.

God bless!

Noree

 

 

Photo Credit:   Me

Eyes to See

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“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” 
2 Kings 6:16

Recently, I sat across the table from a former high school classmate and listened to him recount his experience in the Vietnam War. His assignment—the Phan Rang Air Base bomb dump, 150 miles northeast of Saigon—a large open area surrounded by dirt piled high to control unexpected explosions.

Hour-after-hour, soldiers clad in uniforms drenched to their legs with sweat would assemble bombs and stack them for use the next day against the Viet Cong. In 1969, during the Tet Offensive, U.S. military planes would fly so many missions his team would work every day from dawn to dusk for weeks.

“At times, I felt lost and abandoned. I tried hard not to feel sorry for myself. I knew people would die from the bombs we made, but I chose not to think about it. I just put my head down, did my job, and tried to survive while counting the days until I could ‘return to the world.’ Our only diversion was to watch helicopters fly over, or our aircraft bomb and strafe the enemy in the mountains surrounding us. We were attacked many times with rockets, mortars, and occasional ground forces. I truly believe God looked out for me.”

As I listened to my classmate’s story, I could only imagine the conflict of emotions that life in the middle of a warzone would bring. After all, my friend’s presence there along with thousands of other troops sheltered me from the horrors of a war that took place halfway around the world. For their service, I am grateful.

In the 2 Kings 6 account of another war, fear struck the heart of Elisha’s servant when he saw an army of horses and chariots surround the city. Elisha assured him that God was greater than the enemy and prayed God would give his servant eyes to see. “Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). As the enemy moved toward them, Elisha prayed that God would strike them blind, and he did as Elisha asked.

Do you face seemingly insurmountable difficulties? I’m sure my classmate, afraid at times, found comfort as he watched his comrades rid the mountains of their enemies. Scripture states that in this world we will have trouble, but because of Christ’s death and resurrection our enemy is a defeated foe. No illness, grief, financial crisis, rejection, or calamity has the power to overcome us. God always leads his children to victory.

Look to the hills. Lift up your eyes in faith and allow God to show you his triumphant power.

 

Blessings,

Starr