If I am not careful Lent can end up being a season of striving for me. There have been years where I have tried to do more of this or less of that and ended up getting to Holy Week feeling more distant from God than when I started. I put my faith in the actions of my flesh or in the power of my will. This misplaced faith only drew me away from God and often, at the end of the season, my prayer was “God, where are you?”.
I do believe cultivating true faith in our heart requires action. To determine what actions most please the Lord I am looking to the great heroes of our faith from Hebrews 11.
I do believe cultivating true faith in our heart requires action. To determine what actions most please the Lord I am looking to the great heroes of our faith from Hebrews 11.
“It was by faith that Abel obeyed God…” Heb. 11:4
When we walk with a desire to please the Lord our lives become an offering that pleases God. Is the Lord asking you to obey in an area you have yet to submit to Him? The reason Cain’s offering was rejected, and Abel’s was pleasing was because Abel’s offering was on God’s terms not his own.
Ouch!
How often do we obey only on our own terms?
To cultivate true obedience in our lives we must expose the sins, fears, and selfishness that take root in our hearts.
Ouch!
How often do we obey only on our own terms?
To cultivate true obedience in our lives we must expose the sins, fears, and selfishness that take root in our hearts.
“Enoch trusted God…” Heb. 11:5
“Noah was another who trusted God. When he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah believed him even though…” Heb. 11:7
That “even though” gets me every time!
Do you trust God “even though” that situation looks impossible?
Do you believe God can amend that broken relationship, your anxious heart or the things that weigh heavy on your mind?
Do you trust God “even though” …?
The cultivating process begins with a willingness to expose your lack of faith and trust and believe that God can amend all things for his glory even though we may never see His promises come to fruition this side of heaven.
Do you trust God “even though” that situation looks impossible?
Do you believe God can amend that broken relationship, your anxious heart or the things that weigh heavy on your mind?
Do you trust God “even though” …?
The cultivating process begins with a willingness to expose your lack of faith and trust and believe that God can amend all things for his glory even though we may never see His promises come to fruition this side of heaven.
“You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.” Heb. 11:6
Do you find yourself striving this Lenten season and already asking, “God, where are you?” Is your obedience rooted in the desires of your flesh or your will, over what is truly God’s will for you?
Remember, we have a God who pursues. In our striving we may be leading ourselves away from God instead of following His calling.
“Where are you?” He asked in Genesis 3.
May our only striving be to sincerely look for God by cultivating an obedient heart, exposing our lack of faith and believing God can amend those areas of our life we have yet surrendered to Him.
A Prayer to pray:
Lord, I believe that you are near. Forgive me for the times when my striving and searching have only led me further and further from you. My desire is to hear your calling and turn toward you. Cultivate an obedient heart within me. Give me more faith to believe that you can amend all things, especially those “
even though” situations where I doubt. Continue to prepare my heart for the celebration of your resurrection as my own faith is being resurrected more and more each day.
Blessings,
Rachael
Remember, we have a God who pursues. In our striving we may be leading ourselves away from God instead of following His calling.
“Where are you?” He asked in Genesis 3.
May our only striving be to sincerely look for God by cultivating an obedient heart, exposing our lack of faith and believing God can amend those areas of our life we have yet surrendered to Him.
A Prayer to pray:
Lord, I believe that you are near. Forgive me for the times when my striving and searching have only led me further and further from you. My desire is to hear your calling and turn toward you. Cultivate an obedient heart within me. Give me more faith to believe that you can amend all things, especially those “
even though” situations where I doubt. Continue to prepare my heart for the celebration of your resurrection as my own faith is being resurrected more and more each day.
Blessings,
Rachael