I find that it is difficult to proceed forward when I am certainly aware that there will certainly be resistance and hardship even before I begin. I find myself delaying the start to avoid having to deal with something that I am all too aware will be in the way.

“⁸I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” — Psalm 40:8 (ESV)

This morning I was directed to the 40^th chapter of Psalm as I study the word “delight”. Here I found verse eight to remind me to delight in God’s will. And I was also reminded of the challenges that come with doing the will of God as I read through the chapter.

“¹²For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.” — Psalm 40:12 (ESV)

As a Christian, I am not without challenge. In fact, I am likely to encounter challenges that non-Christians may not have to work. I have to remember that the life of a Christian is in the journey and that God will not forsake me nor will He abandon me in my time of “need”. I may not feel or see Him, but He is there, guiding, protecting, and comforting me through it all.

“¹⁷As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” — Psalm 40:17 (ESV)

I am to delight in the will of God and not just in the comfort of Him. I have to continue forward as my word of 2022, “forward”, indicates. God’s will is for me and I have to remember, as noted in verse 17 above, that He is “my help and my deliverer”.

What is holding your back from doing the will of God? Are you hesitant at the challenges that lie ahead? What if you delighted in God’s will and the known that He is your deliverer?

“⁴Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

This verse is so confusing, especially to those that only think of the desires in a monetary and physical way. What I mean by confusing is that one would think that God will give you any and everything you desire if you simply take joy in Him.

I have to remember that the two parts of the verse go and work together. “Delight” in the LORD and “desires of your heart”. I have to first delight in the LORD and then He will provide me with the desires of my heart. My desires will not be for me and my physical well being, and that is where I have to be conscious. My desires will not be for me and my being here in this world, but of the kind that are recognized by God for His glory.

The common mistake in our world today is that there is an expectation that everyone gets to win with all the glory and value seen as great. There is a belief that without the greatest of things in your driveway, closet, pictures, and the like, that somehow one has not reach potential and is somehow less than others. The reality is that it is not about what others see that is had, but that which is seen by God and know to be for His glory that are important.

I want those things that show my success. I have to remember though that in order to have the kind of success as noted by living for the LORD, I will have to turn all of me to Him and allow for His giving to me based on my relationship with Him. I have to take all joy and delight in the LORD and know that when doing so, I will given all that I could ever want, more time and glory with Him in heaven at my appointed time.

Your relationship with the LORD, what does it look like? Are you looking for Him to provide for your worldly desires? What if you turned to Him for the desires of your heart that are pointing to a stronger and robust relationship with Him?

I find myself struggling daily being able to simply delight in the LORD and all that He has for me. I find myself concerned with that which goes on around me and with others. I have difficulty understanding how others seem to focus all of their attention on themselves and even take a stance on something with one and then turning and a short time later are witnessed taking what appears to be a completely different stance only to “impress” the other person they are engaged in conversation.

“¹Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ²but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” — Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV)

I needed this passage this morning. I needed to be pointed to the law of the LORD and to avoid the law of the land. I needed to be reminded and understand that the law of the land is there to prop up those lacking a true purpose. I am reminded to pursue my kingdom purpose and not to get caught up in all that is going on in the land. I am to continue down the path of Christ and avoid the path of man.

I am not the most social of individuals and “working the room” is not in my nature. I have to remember that for some, that is their identity and just because it is not mine, I cannot believe that everyone should be like me. I should however expect that others seek the law of the LORD although I should also know that not everyone will. Those that I find, “working the room” may in some way be just those that are seeking acceptance as they are looking for their kingdom purpose and I should not place myself in the way of them and should simply step aside and seek to “delight in the law of the LORD” instead.

I have to remember that each is their own and I am to control what I can control and that is me and my walk with Christ. I cannot and should not be concerned with others and their walk only I should be the example of one walking with Christ in hopes that they will see and seek that which they see in me.

Where is it that you find yourself in your walking? Are you walking our there trying to impress the world on others? What if you were to delight in the law of the LORD and allowed others to see Him in you as opposed to trying to find yourself in others?

Today we are presented too many opportunities to think only of ourselves. I experience this in my work, our in the community, and all around me. Take social media for instance, everything is predicated on “what I did”, “what I believe to be important”. There is a misnomer in that what is posted may be about a service opportunity, but really it is about what I did, and not really about the opportunities much at all.

I have to remember to get over myself and work to serve others at whatever cost to me. I have to put the needs of others over my own. I have to get out there and serve faithfully. I have to faithfully serve the one that provides the most for me. I have to faithfully serve the LORD.

“²⁴Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” — 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)

The LORD has and will continue to provide. Just yesterday He provided safe travels for my youngest son as he came home for the Christmas break from college. He provided great fellowship with friends at my wife Lori’s Christmas gathering. He provides me the opportunity daily to study His word and grow and learn. I have been provided so much and it is my duty to “serve him faithfully”. God is the one that has done the most for me. He sent His son to die for my sins so that I would not have to. And that is reason alone for me to serve Him.

It is not about me. It is about those around me and those that may have difficulty helping themselves. I have to serve others and that all starts with me serving the LORD faithfully in all things. He provides for me and therefore I am bound to the service of Him to spread His love, care, comfort, and provision with others. Serve Him and for Him and then move on to the next.

What service are you providing out there? Are you posting for all to see you? What if you just served the LORD faithfully and left it at the job done and moved on to the next?

Often I see the obeying of the rules, or the espousing of the rules and the need to obey them. The thing is, it is only in when seen are these the case. More often I see the lack of obeying or the talking against the rules when there appears to be no one watching or no one is there to “notice”. I have heard and spoken the phrase: “True integrity is what you do when no one is watching”. I do not know who it was that said it, but it is true and you could substitute obedience in the place of integrity at will.

“¹And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.” — Deuteronomy 28:1 (ESV)

This passage in Deuteronomy is more to the blessings that come with obedience, but I am more interested this morning in the faithful obedience. In my opening paragraph I mention what you do when no one is watching and the idea that true obedience is what you do when there is no one standing around with their thumb on you to ensure your compliance. Substituting “faithfully” for “true” makes a lot of sense to me. I have to be willing to do the right thing and execute them every time to ensure that I am fully obeying. My commitment to God is the same. I am to do is will “all the time” not just when someone is watching or someone can see.

I want to be clear and indicate that I am speaking of when we know just what to do and what not to do. There will be times and I have had them, when I was unaware of the rule(s) and therefore did not follow them. For those I am still accountable to the consequences of not following, however I did not knowingly disobey and therefore did not go against faithful obedience. Now, going forward, I know and must faithfully obey even if I disagree. I can and should work to get things changed, but I still must obey in the future.

It is important to know what actions/rules we are to take/obey. In knowing them, we are responsible for them, all the time. Whether I agree or not or someone is watching or not, I am still responsible to obey. I am to “faithfully obey the voice of the LORD”. When I know, I know and therefore am held to knowing. Whether in public or in private, I am responsible to obey. Even when nobody is there to see, God still is. And you can see in the verse above that when we are there and in obedience, faithfully to God, we are rewarded and set “high above all the nations of the earth”.

What actions/rules have you been given to take/obey? Are you taking/obeying them all the time regardless of who or if someone is watching? What might be different if you were to faithfully obey the LORD and clearly take/obey the actions/rules?

For the past few weeks I have been studying the word “faithful” and have really looked at and worked to understand the word in an action form. This morning I was reminded that Jesus is not just acting faithful, but He is also called Faithful.

“¹¹Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” — Revelation 19:11 (ESV)

Jesus is called “Faithful and True”. I am so encouraged by that it gives me pause. I am in awe that the actions of Jesus translate so much into who He is that He is known by name that action that He takes.

I look at Jesus being called that which He is and think about my own life and “am I known as that which actions I take”? Would I be considered to be called by the actions people see in me. When others see me, do they think, “there is Caring, Teaching, Understanding?” I would be so lucky if that were the case.

I now have something to strive for, living the example of Christ in being known and called by those actions I take. My mission I have stated a number of times and here again, to “Improve Lives Through Growth and Learning as an Example of Christ’s Love”. This mission is not just about action, but being known as such. Will people call me “Improver” or “Grower” or “Example”?

Jesus continues to show the way and be the example. He not only takes the action to be faithful, but is also called Faithful in name. I am encouraged to take the example and work to be known by those actions that I take.

What actions do you take? Are you or should you be known by those actions? What if you were to follow the example of Christ and be the example of the actions you take as He acts faithful and is known as Faithful?

“¹⁰Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10 (ESV)

I know that I will experience challenges and persecution as a follower of Christ. I will be tested in my faith, not by God, but by the evil one. I will have every opportunity to give up and submit to the difficulty and abandon God. It is easy to give up. It is easy to give in. It is easy to just allow myself to become and be the victim. Every day I will be tested, and every day I will have that chance to throw in the towel and allow myself to be beaten.

But, I must remain faithful to Him. I have established that He is faithful and will remain so. He knows I will be tested, and yet, He will be right there with me and never leave. And here in this passage, I see that for my faithful obedience, he will reward me with “the crown of life”. God will make sure that my suffering is not in vain. He will ensure that I receive for what I give. God will be there through all that goes on in my life and I must remain faithful to Him as He is faithful to me.

And just how to remain faithful. Well, there is first of all, remaining in His Word. I have to remember to no give up on studying and learning just what it is that God has for me in this world. I have to look for it and work to understand, knowing that the understanding may not be revealed until I am rewarded in heaven. I have to, as Jared our pastor says, “go where He would me go, and do what He would have me do”. When I am working with God, I am faithful to God and in turn, I will realize His faithfulness to and with me.

I will be challenged and I will suffer for my relationship with God, but my suffering is not the end, but only the beginning or middle of my role to spread the gospel. God is with me always and even in my suffering He is faithful to me, I owe it to Him to return His faithfulness.

What suffering are you experiencing in life? Are you turning to God and realizing His faithfulness to you? What if you did?

This morning I am continuing to study the word “faithful” and I read in 1 John. I was open to just what God had for me this morning and admit to being surprised as I was reminded of His faithfulness to forgive and even when I am not faithful, He does not leave.

“⁵This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” — 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)

I know, this is a long passage. And it is quite a bit to unpack. I zeroed in on one thing from it all that was of impact to me this morning. I see there in the verses the references to Gods faithful walk with us, and I mean His continuous walk with us. He is there all the time. Yes, when you look, there is reference to when we are not in line with Him and that we will not have Him in us. We deceive and are not in line with God and as noted in verse 10, “make him a liar”.

There is something that is not found in these verses, God leaving us. We may not have Him in us as noted in verses 8 and 10. But, in those verses, it is us that are missing, not God. Notice there is no reference to Him leaving us. He is still there, we have just not allowed Him to be in us. We are the ones that have resisted Him and turned away from Him. Even when we turn our back on God, He is still faithfully standing there with us (behind us).

We have a cat, Jesse in our home and she has been with us for a number of years. She will get your lap (if you are lucky) and then she will turn her head away from you as if rejecting you and with what we believe is her trying to act as if we are not really there. The reality is that we are still there and she is just pretending. All at once, she will, on her terms, turn and lick you to let you know that she is there and accept your comfort.

I see us as Jesse in our walk and relationship with God. I may turn away from Him in hopes that He cannot see me. And, even with that, God is still present and there just waiting on me to turn back to Him and accept His comfort. God is there walking with me, faithfully, and just waiting on my to turn back and let Him in.

God is with me faithfully, even when I am not faithful in return to Him. He is walking beside me and waiting on me to turn back to Him and jump in His arms and accept the love and comfort that only He can and will provide.

What does your relationship with God look like? Are you turned away from Him and acting as though He is nowhere to be found so you are able to work on things for yourself? What if you were to simply turn around, would you be able to recognize that He is there and has been all the time, just waiting on you?

Action in context is not always the doing of something. It is simply the intentional. Intentionally doing is more of the action that I speak of here. Too often I find that there is an aversion to thoughtful reflection. That aversion is based on the idea that somehow just sitting still is not productive, and that by doing so there is a visual that others may see as lazy. With intent, that could not be further from the truth.

This morning I continue my study of the word “faithful” and again am reading in Hebrews where I find three exhortations, draw near, hold fast, and consider, that are presented in God’s word. These I see as intentional action with God.

“²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” — Hebrews 10:22-24 (ESV)

Each of these exhortations are actions for me to take in my relationship with God. I am to draw near to Him, hold fast to Him, and consider how to get others to action with Him. On the surface, this seems as though I am not taking any action at all as it is all about me and my individual relationship with God. And where that is true, I will point to the intentional nature of the exhortations. I am to do all of these intentionally, not passively when I feel like it and have nothing else to do, but on purpose and with thought. This is action and that action is with faith.

My intentional action is that which is allowing me to know and understand the tasks that God has for me to complete. Without reflection and truly listening to God, I will certainly miss something. This morning even before reading, I prayed that God would guide me. I even said to Him that He should “hit me over the head” as I may not hear Him in His often whispers. This is intentional action to “draw near”, “hold fast”, and “consider”. I did not just happen to have the time to talk with God, I made the time and am in my office in the quiet early morning where I will not be disturbed to be sure and devote the time to Him. This is the intentional action.

All of my intentional action is great, however that has to be faithful and not simply a one time thing. I daily engage in prayer and study to learn and understand God’s Word. I know that I will not know or understand it all as there is too much and God is too big. But, with faithful action I will learn, know, and understand what God has for me and what my role in this world is to be.

What action are you doing or not doing in your relationship with God? Are you avoiding certain things with the thought that you have to be seen to be considered acting? What if you approached action as more intentional and did so faithfully each day with God?

Jesus is better. I am referring here to one of the first posts as relates to “Trevor’s Thoughts”. I was in a small group bible study and the pastor of the church was doing a series on just that topic that Jesus is better. A good portion of the series was founded in Hebrews, where my study of the word “faithful” brought me this morning.

“⁵Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, ⁶but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” — Hebrews 3:5-6 (ESV)

This overall passage is titled “Jesus Greater Than Moses” in my ESV Bible. And, it is clear as I read and study that this is indeed the case. Just look at the words used in the passage. Verse 5: “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house” and in verse 6: “but Christ is faithful over God’s house”. What I see here is that Moses is a part of the house of God and Christ is in a position of authority in the house of God.

Now, I look even closer at verse 6: “And we are his house”. We being me being more in line with Moses as a part of the house of God. I am not in the same position as Christ but more in the position of Moses. I am a servant just as Moses. I am, as a part of the house of God, a servant to the authority in the house of God and that is Christ Jesus. I am but a servant of God and not of any authority. I am in God’s house and submit to the authority over God’s house and that authority is Christ. Christ is faithful over God’s house and therefore, Christ is faithful over me.

It is important for me to remember my place and not try to step out of my lane as a servant of Christ. I am to be in line with that which I am tasked to complete and being an/the authority is certainly not that which I am tasked. I am to spread the gospel and teach others and allow God to do His work in the lives of those I contact. I am faithful to the house of God and Christ is faithful over me.

How is it that you are approaching life? Are you looking to be the authority over or be a servant in God’s house? What if you were to be faithful to the house of God and allowed Christ to be faithful over you?