"SINCERE FAITH" - "YOU CAN'T DRIVE A PARKED CAR"

Good Evening to All!
Tonight, I'm going to do something a little different. I read two different devotionals that jumped out at me. The thing is you can't do one without the other.

SINCERE FAITH

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1 Timothy 1:5 KJV)

The object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs form a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. ( AMP. version)
******
I looked up the definitions of 2 words: although both say "behavior befitting a child, "childlike" gives connotations of the "desirable traits in children" for example
Childlike: innocence and frankness, whereas "childish leaves us with connotations of the "undesireable" such as selfishness, outbursts of temper.


People sometimes make the mistake of being "childish" in our faith or our praying rather than childlike. There is SUCH A DIFFERENCE. Being childish is praying for things for the WRONG reasons or motives. Childish is thinking that long elegant prayers and words that are just that, with little or no meaning or sincerity behind them mean more to God than a short sincere prayer from the heart. Childish faith is "giving up" just because God doesn't answer right away. Childish is getting upset when God says "no", or "wait".

Childlike is totally and sincerely BELIEVING in God's ability to do what His Word says He will do. Just like a child believes their daddy can do ANYTHING we are to have that SAME faith in God. The problem is, the older we get, the more life (worldly life) gets in the way, and the more doubts creep into our hearts and our minds. We need to FORCE ourselves to rid ourselves of doubt whenever it sneaks its way in. Let me let you in on a little secret.. Even the most devout Christians have to fight doubt sometimes. We have to fight it and condition ourselves to not allow it to get to us. We have the most awesome God who CAN DO ANYTHING. We must look at Him with "childlike awe and wonder" and KNOW that He is always there for us. Even if we ask Him for something and the answer is no, or wait, we need to tell Him Thank you and "You always Know What's Best for me.

"YOU CAN'T DRIVE A PARKED CAR"

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
(Psalms 119:133 KJV)

Establish my steps and direct them by [means of ] Your Word. (AMP. version)

Let me tell you a little story. I am a very INDECISIVE person. I get so upset with myself because I'll make one decision, the 5 minutes later, I'll change my mind because I'm afraid it's the wrong decision. I'll do this over and over again, to the point where I just STOP! Yes, I will stop dead in my tracks and DO NOTHING! That, my friends is not a good way to be. It upsets me, it upsets my hubby, and nothing gets done.

Some people are like that in their Christian walk. I've heard people say "How do I know what God's purpose is for me?" How do I know what I'm suppose to do in my life?" Then because they are so unsure, they sit there like a "bump on a log" and do nothing! Kind of like me in my personal life. I use to wonder the same thing in my "walk with God", but I have come to the realization if I pray and ask for guidance, ask for the Lord to direct my steps, He will do so, and that way I don't have to worry about my purpose or what "I'm" suppose to do with my life, because God will show me. This being said, that doesn't mean I sit there and wait for God to give me a revelation, or hit me over the head with an idea. It means I see something that needs to be done for God's kingdom, so I get involved. If it's not what God has planned for me, HE will steer me in a different direction.

God has His plans for us all mapped out. The thing is we must remember the important thing for us is the journey. We must start by taking steps and showing action. No one ever gets anywhere by "driving a parked car". You have to turn on the key and put it IN GEAR, before it will move. You have to show your FAITH in God, by stepping out and doing something in His Name. Believe in Him enough that He will be there to help you carry out whatever it is you are doing, or to point you in a different direction if you get misguided by your own thoughts and desires. ( Sometimes, it may be our own desires and we just THINK its His. ) I know when I first was getting serious about my relationship with God, I was all gung-ho and wanted to sing specials "for Him" at church. It was Christmas time and I got up in front of the congregation and proceeded to sing O Holy Night. Now, I know this song backwards and forwards. I sang this song as a solo when I was a little girl in church. Anyway, I even took a "cheat sheet with the words up there with me in case I forgot the words! Guess what! I was SO NERVOUS, I forgot the words, and when I looked down to read them, I lost my place and REALLY messed up! Needless to say, I haven't sung a solo since. I get stage fright to easily, so I don't think that is what God wants me to do for Him.

The point I am trying to make is that don't sit still because you are afraid of making a mistake. I won't sing up on the platform anymore, but I sing my heart out down in front. My gift is "worship". As I said last night, I'm not afraid of people seeing me "dance for the Lord or praise him outwardly. I also have the "gift of gab". I love to talk about God. He is my passion. My enthusiasm bubbles over
when I talk about Him. I don't just go up and start talking to people about Him like others do, but if the conversation steers toward Him, I will take advantage of it and start witnessing. It is so wonderful to see someone get excited and their face light up when they start understanding about salvation.

All of this being said, please, when you ask God what He wants you to do with your life, when you pray for His advice, remember to stop, be still and listen for His still small voice. You cannot hear Him if you are constantly praying. It needs to be a two-way conversation.

To bring these two topics together, remember to be "childlike" and not "childish" in your prayers and faith. Doing this means showing complete faith and trust in Him, and putting action with it, after prayer.

Faith says "GOD CAN"

Trust says," but IF HE DOESN'T, I'LL LOVE HIM ANYWAY."

Good Night to All and May God Bless!