Faithfulness to Commitment

Thirteen weeks! Christmas day marked the completion of thirteen weeks of workouts. Thirteen weeks ago I committed to doing workouts five days per week to improve my overall health and tone my body. I have been faithful to that commitment and I intend to continue doing so. Although it has been quite tough at times, I have had good support from my husband and other family members and I have relied on God's strength. It is He that has enabled me to be faithful to my commitment. 

While our faithfulness to our commitments is often unreliable, God is always faithful.

He always stands by his covenant—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations.

Psalm 105:8 NLT 

This verse is particularly referring to the commitment that God made to Abraham that He would give him the land of Canaan. While it took many years, and many trials, the people did receive the land in the end and God blessed them so much along the way. He arranged for Joseph to be in charge of the food in Egypt in preparation for the famine. He sent the Israelites into Egypt, into the best part of the land, during the time of the famine so that they would have food to eat. He multiplied them while they were in Egypt so that they became a great nation. He performed many miracles to bring them out of Egypt. He compelled the Egyptians to give all their valuables to the Israelites when they left Egypt. He miraculously brought them through the Red Sea and sustained them in the wilderness for forty years with food that miraculously came from heaven. He provided water for the people throughout their wanderings, even bringing water from a rock. He did so much for them, even giving them crops ready to harvest when they arrived in the promised land.

He gave his people the lands of pagan nations,
and they harvested crops that others had planted.

Psalm 105:44 NLT

God is always faithful and He has committed to give us the promised land, a new earth.

“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth,
and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.

Isaiah 65:17 NLT

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."

John 14:1-3 NLT

God has proven His faithfulness in the past, He continues to prove His faithfulness in the present, we can trust Him to be faithful in the future.

Conviction to Conversion

The last shout had rung out, the last stone had been cast, the last robe gathered up. The pile of stones rose conspicuously, hiding the man crushed beneath them but leaving the vision of the man burned into his memory. The man's declaration hung in the air: Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand! He shook himself vigorously. "What blasphemy!" he muttered.

Turning away from the stirring scene, he followed the crowd of men returning to the city. He quickened his steps and drew his robe closer about him. As he reached the group, a notable pharisee stepped up beside him. "Well done son", he said, "you did well today. A promotion is certainly coming your way. How do you feel about taking the lead with dealing with the rest of these blasphemous Christians?"

"Me? It would be a great honour Rabbi. I will hunt them down from house to house. I will drag them out, both men and women, and will throw them into prison. I will destroy them all! Just you wait and see!"

In the days that followed, he was very troubled. It certainly seemed like God was present there with the martyr as he was stoned. Maybe he was right. Earnestly he sought for wisdom and answers from the priests and rulers. After listening to many arguments, he finally decided that the priests and scribes were right. The stoned man was a blasphemer. The Christ that he preached was an impostor. Closing his ears to the voice of his conscience, he devoted himself to his mission of destroying all the followers of this way. 

Months had passed, during which time he had been very busy. He hurried through the streets of Jerusalem towards the agreed meeting place. His mission had been very successful but it was not enough. It was time to expand beyond the walls of Jerusalem. Therefore he was on his way to meet with the high priest.

"Sir," he cried, "I have been faithful in executing the mission given to me after the stoning of that blasphemous man. Many followers of this so-called Christ have been put to death. Nevertheless, reports are circulating that these Christians have scattered from Jerusalem to many other towns. In fact, I have it on good account that there is a large group of them growing in Damascus. Therefore, I pray that you will give me letters that I may go to Damascus, arrest these people and drag them back here to Jerusalem in chains that we may properly deal with them." 

"I will give you the letters," he replied. "Go with the Lord's blessing to vindicate his honour."

It was the sixth, and last, day of his journey. As he crested the hill around midday, he could see the city of Damascus stretched out before him in the valley below. Throughout the journey he had had ample opportunity to think about his mission, how it had started and to where it had reached. He thought once again of the stoning. The sermon that lead to the stoning had been very convincing. He had almost been persuaded to believe, but how could all the religious leaders be so wrong? No, they had to be right. He must continue to be faithful in his mission to purify the nation from this blasphemy.

Suddenly a bright light, brighter than the sun, shone all around him. In terror he fell prostrate to the ground. As he lay there motionless, he heard a voice cry out: "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will." 

"Who are you, lord?" he gasped.

"I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." was the startling reply.

The light faded and his men, recovering from their shock, gathered around his prostrate form. They helped him to his feet, but soon realised he was totally blind. Therefore, leading him by the hand they brought him into the city. After making enquiries, they brought him to the house of Judas on the main street of the city, Straight Street. 

Three days later, three days where he refused to eat or drink, there came a knock at the door. A man named Ananias was brought in to Saul. "Brother Saul," Ananias greeted warmly, "the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 

Instantly, something like scales fell from his eyes and his sight was restored. Rising up, he was baptized and then sat down to eat some food and regain his strength.

References: Acts 7:56; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1-19; Acts 26:12-18; Acts of the Apostles by Ellen White pp. 112-122.

The Power of a Drip

Over the past several months we have had a leak in our roof. Every time it rains we hear the steady drip, drip, drip on our ceiling. While we have been waiting for Strata to fix the roof leak, we have watched as the dripping has facilitated the growth of mould and a hole in the ceiling. It has just been a slow drip and only when it has been raining and yet it has been amazing the destruction that this small drip has made over the last several months. Oh the impact of little things.

Are there little habits in our lives that are causing character destruction like this drip? On the flip side, are there little habits in our lives that are helping to construct a beautiful character? Little things have a big impact. 

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” - Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What Does It Matter?

Cain brought a gift to God, the best fruit of his crops. 

Abel also brought a gift to God, the best lamb from his flocks.

The offering that Abel brought, the Lord accepted,

But the offering that Cain brought, the Lord rejected.

Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash
     

Hang on a second.

They both brought offerings to God. 

They both came to worship God. 

They both brought their best to God. 

What did it matter?

"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7 NLT

"Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him." Genesis 4:8

Cain tried to worship God in his own way and when he was rejected, he was angry and murdered Abel. Abel was worshiping God in the way that God had asked him too and he was killed, but he will live again.

"If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 NLT

We need to walk with Jesus and follow His leading rather than doing things our own way.

It is a matter of life and death.