How DEEP is your love for God?

Today,just made me realize:I'm still not committed to God as I should be!Today it is freezing in Port Elizabeth-a very windy city and there's a howling wind but that could not stop me from going to the Library-I have some applications to fill etc. which led me to reflect back on incidence that occured for the past two Sundays,that have made me to conclude such.

On the first Sunday it was very windy,my mom had sent me to do groceries and other things for her and willingly I did-I love helping her out.Later on the day I had a singing group and choir practice;but because of the weather I didn't go.And this past Sunday I had a few businesses to attend on behalf of my mom(as she was out of town) and I had thought I'd go straight from there to church-BUT because I was carrying a lot of things (and I didn't want to seem like I was showing off) I decided to go home first and then go back to church-and sadly I didn't.I decided I was tired so I ended up sleeping.

BUT If I can go to the Library (same area where my church is situated) to do my OWN  things,why can't I attend the choir practice irregardless of the weather?It makes me wonder,where do my loyalties lie?Is my loyalty to God based on circumstances and in this case,the weather-seemingly a small thing.And if that's the case,what's going to happen when there are other circumstances.It makes me think of the verse "pray that your flight may not be in winter."Matthew 24:20.

And this  tells me I need to evaluate my life and sadly it's a COMMON thing.You should see how empty the church is when it's windy-yes,some of us stay far and we have to walk quite a distance(maybe 40 minutes max) BUT should that even be a VALID reason?

I realize it's time for me to take God seriously.If I can make time for my own things,it's neccesary that I do the same for God and even more.Which makes me realize further that,if I can't be faithful to God now,how on earth do I expect to be later on?

And with the  SUNDAY LAW coming soon: can we afford to start being indolent and being feeble now?I was so sad that on my way to church this past Sabbath I met a fellow christin attending a funeral on God's day-SATURDAY SABBATH!Now,is the time to let our families,friends,neighbours know where allegiance lies.We can't compromise!We've got 6 days for our things.

NOW is the time to make a stand and like Daniel,PURPOSE in our hearts to be loyal to God.

DATING versus COURTSHIP

After listening to a presentation on DATING, I wrote down the following findings, from God himself :
-Dating is a relationship whereby both parties (male and female) get into a relationship SECRETELY without consulting God and their parents FIRST. They haphazardly enter into a relationship without the intentions of getting married and it often leads to kissing (even to fornicating sometimes).And it’s definitely NOT God’s way of doing things.
Many, because of dating, have been hurt, have wrong ideas of what TRUE love is, and have had unwanted babies out of wedlock. Some have spent sleepless nights, spent tears on people not WORTHY of their tears and some have even committed suicide. AND SADLY, some have even abandoned God.
And so dear friends, NOW is the time to do things according to God’s will:
-Shun dating! Kissing, hugging, touching, any sexual contact should ONLY be reserved for your wife/husband. While UNMARRIED your body belongs to God and your parents ONLY.
-Ladies, it is our DUTY to lead our brother’s thoughts heavenward by not wearing/saying anything that displeases the Lord. Next time try the following:-
Boy:I love you my sister
Girl:Do you love the Lord my brother?
Boy:Yes
Girl:He says keep His commandments
:D
-Gentlemen, it is your DUTY to protect us and to also lead us heavenward: by not awakening our love for you, if you haven’t counseled with God, your parents etc. You have NO right to be “checking” us out and you should try by all means to keep your eyes fixed on God.
-We all have a responsibility to literally run away from situations that will lead to compromising situations, such as: Being alone in a closed room with the opposite sex, hugging, flirting, etc.
-There are many fatherless, abandoned babies already and we are to avoid adding to the number. Today, let us commit our ways to the Lord, so that God can be glorified through us.
-And it doesn’t matter what we were yesterday and what we did. God is MORE THAN WILLING to forgive us, cleanse us and to make us whole ONLY if we confess our sin (1John 1:9,2Corinthians 5:17, Jude 24) and will keep us pure till the wedding day (if He’s called you to it).
-A relationship WILL NEVER fulfill you UNTIL you have one with your MAKER.
-Courtship should be entered upon when one is ready for marriage and the union will lead both parties heavenward and will be a blessing to others as well and when one knows his/her God-given task (ministry) and is fulfilling it.
-As ladies, it is our duty to wait prayerfully. We have no business in asking a guy out etc. and we can only say yes, when our Heavenly Father says yes and our earthly fathers/guardians agree

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK!

"Because they are not connected with some directly religious work, many feel that their lives are useless, that they are doing nothing for the advancement of God's kingdom. If they could do some great thing how gladly they would undertake it! But because they can serve only in little things, they think themselves justified in doing nothing. In this they err. A man may be in the active service of God while engaged in the ordinary, everyday duties--while felling trees, clearing the ground, or following the plow. The mother who trains her children for Christ is as truly working for God as is the minister in the pulpit.

Many long for special talent with which to do a wonderful work, while the duties lying close at hand, the performance of which would make the life fragrant, are lost sight of. Let such ones take up the duties lying directly in their pathway. Success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not the possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service, but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, the unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others. In the humblest lot true excellence may be found. The commonest tasks, wrought with loving faithfulness, are beautiful in God's sight."~Prophets and Kings,Chapter 17,Page 219

DEVOTION,Based on:Prophets and Kings,Chapter 16,The Fall of the House of Ahab.

Just a quick summary before I get into the lessons I learnt from this:

Ahab was a king of Israel and he was married to Jezebel-who was idolatrous and worshipped Baal.God had been the God of Israel and their kind,but because of looking at the surrounding ntions they also sought a king.The King was to stand in the place of God and lead the people to God.He was not to take God's place.Wars were fought,kingdoms passed and different kings came into position-and Ahab got to be king.He dishonoured the Lord as he led people to worship idols and forsake-all influence by his wife,Jezebel.Jezebel also resulted in killing of God's prophets and just a quick note on this-a woman has so much influence-so much that her influence reaches far.In the everyone in this house perished because they opposed the will of God.

I got the following lessons:-

-God loves a humble man and a man who confesses his sins-when Ahab heard the sentence about his household,that his wife,Jezebel's carcass was going to be eaten by dogs,he tore his clothes and fasted.The Lord took note of this act nor did he count his evil doings at this time of need.Thus,I learnt,whatever the past of a man hs been,if he humbles himself to God,God accepts him.I serve a wonderful God.

-We are only safe from satan's snares when we seek wisdom from God only-Ahaziah-son Ahab and Jezebel,followed after his parent's ways and in the end he was not saved-that's the power of influence.But him not being saved not because he did not know God-he had seen the power of God BUT he still decided his doom.Each person chooses his fate.It's rather wise to seek Counsel from your Maker-first- as opposed to parents-especially ungodly ones.

-God likenes idolatry/apostasy as whoredom.Yes,it's from the Bible.And it makes me wonder:Do I declare to love God yet commit adultery?

-Vengeance belongs to God ALONE!Our battle is against self.As the title implies Ahab's house was totally destroyed by Jehu for idolatry and killing of God's prophets.There will always be those who oppose God's servants and should not suprise us at all.1 John 2:6 says we are to walk like Jesus has,meaning as we do so,we'll face the same challenges he went through.Even so,we are NOT to be discouraged.God,in his own time will deal with our enemies.In the meantime we are not to hoarder hatred towards them BUT love.Jesus commands us to love and to pray for them-Matthew 5:44.Prayer does go a long way-who knows-they might make to Heaven!

-It's also worth noting that anyone who opposes us because of the gospel is opposing God Himself;and whoever seeks to harm us touches the apple of God's eyes-Zechariah 2:8.There's NO USE of getting worked by such.Yes,it hurt BUT the Holy Spirit will comfort us.As Pul notes,all true followers of God will suffer persecution-2 Timothy 3:12.

-Athaliah,Jezebel's daughter also followed suit in her mother's footsteps and I'm tempted to believe most daughters reflect their own mothers.This puts a sacred duty on mothers.Also,as young women we should set the standard for the little girls.I conclude,a woman(or man) that is NOT submitted to God and who pays no attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is dangerous and s/he should avoided-unless to lead her Heavenward.

-Lastly,the every seed of Ahab's seed was destroyed by Jehu like God had said.This reminds of an event that's soon to come when Jesus shall come back and after a millenium,sin and sinners will be no more(consult the Book of Revelation).The Great Controversy,page 678,chapter 42:"The great controversy is ended.Sin and sinners are ended.May we(I) be counted amongst those who will not be destroyed and will eat in the tree of Life.Jezebel and Ahab had the chance to repent,and like them,we have that chance too and God is able to save us.

-Just a quick note about Jehu's position-as Christ's followers we are called to repair the breach.we are called to destroy all the idol altars and to lead others to Christ.May we be faithful in fulfilling our God-given mission.Be blessed.