If you know these things, happy are you if you do them! (John 13:17)
The winter months can seem to go on and on and on…especially if you are unable to go out in the fresh air. So it’s no surprise that when we start feeling anxious or depressed during winter, we blame it on the weather. Now don’t get me wrong fresh air is important, and definitely helps when in a state of depression.
My view from my back door.
But that doesn’t mean the lack of fresh air should affect our spiritual relationship with Christ. After all, think of Paul in prison who still remained just as close to Christ in a dark prison as he did outside. Joseph is another example we can see.
Nonetheless, I got tired of the cold dreary winter days and was feeling unmotivated to get things done. I began to feel anxious; I was confused as to why, but just pushed my emotions aside and figured I was fine.
I quickly realized this was not going to end well if I did that. If we stuff our feelings and emotions down and don’t deal with them they will eventually erupt and that can hurt ourselves and others. I knew if I didn’t get these emotions out I could potentially hurt others. So I prayed about it.
I didn’t get an answer from God right away and became annoyed with that. I thought, “here I am Lord ready for you to help me, I want to learn something new and where are you?”
(Let me tell you this, be careful what you ask for when you are speaking to the creator of the universe. God is good all the time, but that doesn’t mean he won’t let us go through times of trial.).
Later that week YHVH God spoke to me through a question that was asked…
That question was, “Why are we always asking God to teach us something new when we don’t obey the things he already has taught us?”
*SLAP*……….*SLAP*…*SLAP*
That’s how hard that hit me. It felt like a ping pong paddle was slapping me across the face (or at least how I imagine that to feel…I’ve never actually been hit in the face with a ping pong paddle).
How can I expect to grow closer to God if I don’t obey what He has taught me?
I have been blessed to know so much about YHVH and His word, yet I neglect to do basic principals daily.
I decided to make a list of things I know are important for me to follow daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.
Whether it was reading my Bible, wearing tzit tzit, serving my neighbor, keeping Shabbat, not being lazy, not gossiping, or keeping feast, etc.
All these different types of things went on my list.
I know these things, I know they bring blessings upon me when I do them. So why would I not do them!?
The answer to that is found all throughout history…we forget. We learn about God’s ways, obey them and realize it’s good and brings blessings upon us. After a while, things of this world slowly creep in, they distract and pull us away from the truth.
It’s ridiculous!
We are as bad as the Israelites in the desert! How quickly we forget is shameful! We aren’t discipled! We are lazy! We must regularly check our spiritual walk! Yeshua himself said, “pick up your cross daily”
DAILY! Daily! Every day!
Whatever it takes we must not become lukewarm!
(Sorry for shoutyping I got passionate)
Here are some ways to help us remember to walk with Him daily.
Write a schedule
This will ensure that you have put certain things in your day that help you stay focused on YHVH.
Write a checklist
(Just as I said I wrote a list of all the things I’ve learned, do the same and make it a checklist. Be disciplined to be intentional about serving God every day. The more you do it the more it’ll become natural. It’s also a good example to others who may be watching you.)
Make posters
Hang up scripture around your home as a reminder who you live for. Make your own posters or find ones here at Scripture Pictures.
God gives us brothers and sisters for a reason. Find a fellow believer (if it’s not your spouse it’s best to find someone of the same gender) and have them help hold you accountable. This can be as simple as have them text you to see if you’ve read your Bible or prayed.
Limit distractions
Lastly, I want to encourage you to limit distractions in your life. There are so many things that can be addictions and distractions. I want to encourage you to seek these things in your life and cut them out completely or learn to control and limit them.
Can you go a week (month or year) without TV, social media, or your phone? Try it see how much more time you have to serve and connect with your Heavenly Father. Limit distractions and destroy addiction, and do it all for the King YHVH.
I hope and pray this post has encouraged you today. I hope we can be a generation that seeks YHVH and doesn’t forget His blessings.
Until next time!
Rachel C.
Love it, love it, love it! (Right down to the shout typing, lol!) This just underscores a thought I had yesterday!
Thank you so much for posting this! This was exactly what I needed to hear today. Talk about timely. I love this blog. 😀 Yehovah bless you!