God's Faithfulness

As we approach the height of Thanksgiving and Advent season we are constantly reminded to be thankful, but what about when the seasons change? Rarely are we reminded to be faithful in our Thanksgiving. What happens when being thankful isn’t at the forefront? If everyday was a day of Thanksgiving how much different would our lives be?     

Today we decided to talk about God’s faithfulness.  Looking at our relationship, our families and our lives.  Being grateful for where we have come, where we are and that God is faithful when we aren’t.

Courtney’s Opinion

The age of 25 has been an interesting year of seasons for me to say the least. Some were continuously joyous and some were a little difficult; however, I found out that each season was necessary for the next. The year 25 in particular was a transitioning year for me. I became truly content with who I was as person, Justin and I became an official couple (and still having the time of my life), I was coming into myself as a professional and I started taking on more financially responsibilities (I was becoming an adult….eek!). I am grateful for each and every season but it was hard for me to see the beauty in each season without the tough lessons. All of these seasons represented God’s faithfulness and His answered promises to me. Throughout each difficult time, when I chose to concentrate on the hard parts I realized I had the lack of peace which consequently translated to a lack of trust in God’s faithfulness.

When I look at our relationship in depth, Justin is not just a relationship or a simple boyfriend but he represents Gods Faithfulness. My increase financially responsibilities doesn’t just mean financial burden but God’s faithfulness to provide when I give back to God what is His. My job is not just a time consuming tiring entity but Gods faithfulness of greater as a leader.

In Genesis 3:2-6. God provided Adam and Eve with many abundant fruit options. However, Eve choose to focus on the one fruit that she didn't have and through that discontentment, Eve sinned against God and herself. God loves us and does not desire to withhold good things from us. Trust in His ways, and rely on the fact that He will provided in due time your portion.

Ultimately, the source of our problems are linked to the lack of gratitude of God’s continued faithfulness. God continues to remain faithful despite our unfaithfulness. But like the question above what if we actually executed true faithfulness towards God by having a grateful heart?  Sure, Life might not be where you expected or things may not go right but He promised to never leave us or forsake us.  That moment we truly are content with the things we have in Christ and actively trust Him to present those things we desire in His due time, we can then resist satan's weapons of destruction (i.e- worry, stress, discontentment). As you become more and more grateful and content, the tools of distraction become more and more tricky. Continue to press into Christ even more and He will fight those battles for you.

Justin’s Opinion

As we think about the Faithfulness of God, I am drawn to one of the more oft used scriptures in the Bible…Psalm 23.  The text tells us that God will lead us in the valley of the Shadow of death, prepare a table before us in the presence of enemies, anoint our heads with oil and overflow our cups.  What catches my attention on the faithfulness of God is God Leads us into a valley and in the valley, a table is prepared.  (sidenote: enemies are in the valley with you but cannot harm you…WHAT THE WHAT?)

 The faithfulness of God is exemplified in this text.  A valley is literally between two mountains.  You cannot get into a valley without coming down a mountain, or, without recognizing that you have another mountain to climb.  And in a seasonal valley, the same God that put you on the seasonal mountain is the same God that is with you in the seasonal valley as you head to another seasonal mountain.  God is a faithful God, consistent in each season.  As I think about this season of giving thanks for family, relationships and Jesus coming to this world for Christmas, I am so happy that God is faithful. God is present in our valleys and mountains, not only because God sees the next mountain, but because God is busy preparing a table for us and inviting our enemies.  It is all Seasonal! 

As I look at my relationship with Ms. Jones, she exemplifies the faithfulness of God.  Not just because she is present in my life at all times, but because she is an extension of God’s presence in my life.  Her care, love and joy for who I am as a man as I continue to evolve into who I am in ministry, manhood and (eventual) marriage is utterly phenomenal.  When I have not embraced myself, my person or even where I am in ministry, she has been present.  It is amazing to know that we serve a God who imparts someone to be present, representing in another way how faithful God truly is. 

The challenge from God in God’s faithfulness is, once you know better…do better.  What hurt biblical characters, those of you reading and even my own life understand is that we must recognize the Faithfulness of God…to be faithful to the blessing and God completely.  That is the challenge that I have taken dearly simply because I want to show God my thanks and hope to ascend to levels unimaginable because of my faithfulness to God when God is faithful to me. 

Our Opinion

God is faithful when we aren’t faithful.  God cares, when we don’t care.  God Loves, when we don’t love…and that’s amazing.  In a season of thanks, we are so thankful for a God who prepares tables in valleys God brings us to.  God allows us to see shadows of death, but leads us to life.  We are excited for the valley season that you all have seen us in the past month, but stick around because as God was faithful in the valley…just wait for the mountain we are about to climb!

 

Our relationship shows the faithfulness of God, but it is a conviction both of us have that we are faithful to the blessing of God in the other.  Our entire lives we had "fruit" hanging from various trees.  Various trees of relationships, jobs, finances and many more.  What gives us the strength we have is that in spite of all of those trees we may have taken fruit from, God remained Faithful. 

The Hymn Writer asked the question, "What shall I render, What shall I give?" Our challenge to you in this season of thanks is to render a sweet gift unto God.  A gift that will be acceptable.  Thanks for where you are, the season you are in and that you are still possible!  We will certainly be praying for you because you can get through it...Look at us! 

 

We are one, defined by one…with two opinions. One thing we can agree on…God is a Faithful, Friendly Provider.