Hey Praying Gals!
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” ~1 Cor.15:58
BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE! I don’t know about you, but the trials I’m experiencing now seem to be harder and longer and tougher than ever before. I think it’s because the enemy knows it will take a whole lot more to shake me than it used to! BUT GOD, on the other hand, knows that same trial is for my good and for my growth in Him. He allows the shaking and the sifting in our lives to purify our faith and gives us the opportunity to live it out! Well…there has been a whole lot of shaking going on! Are you being sifted?
I’m reminded of Jesus’ words to Peter when He predicted that Peter would deny Him. And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren,” Luke 22:31-32.
Ever wonder if God really cares about you when the pressures on, or when you have blown it for the umpteenth time and ready to give up and quit? Think of how Peter must have felt after denying Jesus three times… Isn’t it ‘good news’ to know that Jesus is praying for you? Your heavenly Father is not looking the other way when you’re in the midst of a sifting storm. He’s cheering you onward to be steadfast and immovable in your faith. He wants to see us make it! And remember that Satan must seek permission to launch his sifting process on the children of God. Nothing is allowed without God’s consent. Our God knows what He’s doing when He allows the sifting to occur and His eternal purposes are for our good and His glory! Let’s be encouraged to press on in faith and strengthen our spiritual muscles.
ALWAYS ABOUNDING: means to increase, to excel, to overflow. Abounding is used for a flower going from bud to full bloom. I love the picture of the pink rose; so beautiful you can almost smell the perfume! In May, I was given a dozen white roses for my birthday. They were so beautiful! I especially loved to watch the tiny buds open up and yield their full beauty. But, sometimes a few of the roses never open up to their full bloom. Have you ever gotten roses like that? It can seem like a waste of a rose - - so much more to behold and experience in FULL bloom… plus they give much more fragrance, too!
FULL BLOOM – is a life lived out for the purpose God had intended for the rose. In the same way, God has a plan and a purpose intended for each of our lives. Not a closed bud but in full bloom. Reminds me of my husband’s license plate, Psalm 20:4, “May He grant you according to your hearts desire, and fulfill ALL your purpose.” Not some of your purpose, like the closed up rose bud that didn’t fully open, but to be totally sold out for God and His purposes! Are you being sifted? “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Aloha, Karen ☺