Consistency is vital to close relationships in our everyday lives and our spiritual lives. Consistency with God begins with finding time to be alone, setting aside time to spend with God every day without disruptions. Yes, we are busy with everything that is going on in our life but, if we can watch the same TV show every week, go to work every day, look at social media, e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Tik Toc, or remember to eat, you've got what it takes to be consistent. God wants to spend time with us daily. When you are consistently in God's Word, it will propel you to grow closer to Jesus!
Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abides in the vine, no more can ye, except you abide in Me. I am the
vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth
forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me,
he Is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast
them into fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:4-7)
To abide is "to endure without yielding, to continue in a place, to remain stable.” Abiding is simply spending time together, day in and day out. Many of us do instead pop in for a quick chat with God when it's convenient, then disappear for weeks. God is a constant in our lives. Our beliefs may wavier and our minds may wander from time to time but, every time we turn back to God, He is the same. He never leaves, He never stops loving us, even as we wander away distracted by other demands in our lives. He is always working in our lives, but if we don't spend time tuning our hearts to His voice we will miss when He speaks. I believe that we all desire and want an intimate relationship with God. I often think about how Enoch was walking and talking with God, and I wonder what they were talking about that God was so pleased that He took Enoch up from the world.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because
God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he
pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:5-6)
Even professional athletes must spend countless hours practicing their sport to become competent. Medical professionals spend years studying to become qualified and skilled at their craft. And so, we as Christians must consistently read our Word to seek understanding from God. With the consistency of being before the Lord, we begin to become competent and skilled in our faith in the Lord. Our faith in the Lord will only grow stronger the more we seek to walk and talk with Him. We must seek Him with a purpose because our life depends on Him. It is that serious that we do all that we can while we still have a chance. With all the distractions, we have to make time to commit to Him just like we dedicate to all of our other worldly obligations.
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven,
neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the
time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and
gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to
watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at
even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He
find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I will say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:32-37)
I am convinced that we need His fellowship to understand the Scriptures, become His disciples and just simply deal with the daily demands of life. We have a predisposition to cry out to God when we are in need, and that's fine, but is that the only time we do so? God is our provider, protector, and many other things, but He wants more. He wants to be our friend and companion. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:23). But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend. (Isaiah 41:8)
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are
My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for
the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things
that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but
I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that
your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may
give it you. (John 15:13-16).
We are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge, and we are only capable of that through our relationship with Christ. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) And we can only do it by studying His Word and learning all about our Christian life. If we truly love Him, we will keep his Word, but how will we know His Word if we don't consistently spend time with Him? His Word gives us life and nourishment, and it is what we live on as Christians. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) His Word is precious to us. It's alive, living, and speaks directly to our soul. Like a GPS, His Words guide us to the path of righteousness. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. (Psalm 119:11) His Word is the foundation of our lives and full of wisdom and love. Satan will try to deceive us into partaking in the world's liberties, but we need to stand firm and strong. If we've hidden God's Word in our hearts, we will be able to deny the flesh. There is no friend like Jesus, for He knows all about our troubles and our struggles. So, we can't make excuses about not having time for Him. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep from the evil one. (John 17:15) We are not on our own trying to figure this way of life out. Jesus loves us so much that He prayed to the Father to send us a helper, teacher, and comforter while He goes and prepares a place for us. But, the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. (John15:26)
I pray that each of us gives more time to the Lord, and our reward will be according to His will. It is excellent and profitable for us to give to the Lord consistently freely. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Jesus tells us that If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24) We must yearn to be in the Lord's presence as much as possible to sustain the fight against the evil one. Remember the warning Jesus gives us about the evil one and what he wants to do to us. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32) So, we see here that Satan asked the Lord to go after Peter like Job, Paul, and even you and I. Remember, Satan can't do whatever he pleases but MUST get permission from God. We must do everything we can to withstand the onslaught of the evil one, and we can survive by being prepared, and we can only prepare when we consistently spend time with the Lord. Our battles are real, my sisters and brothers, as they come from all directions, and we know through the Word that:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13)
I leave you with this, and that is we are in debt, and when you are in debt, you must pay that debt. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins that no man can repay. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20). And lastly, when we think about giving, remember it is more profitable to give yourself than money or whatever else we consider valuable; God does not desire any of our worldly possessions; He desires an intimate relationship with us. So consistently and purposely invest time with Him, not grudgingly but cheerfully.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according to his heart, so let him give;
not grudgingly, or out of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
Since you and I belong to God, then remember the Words from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They say unto Him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. (Matthew 22:21) Our Father deserves our consistent attention. May God continue to have mercy on His children and bless you all.
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