Author: Sony Elise

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Faithfulness is a Choice

faithfulnessIf there is one thing I desire, it is to be faithful. I pray daily for God’s help in that area but often I’m reminded that I need to choose the path of faithfulness. Temptations abound, even for the Christian. If I do not desire faithfulness with all my heart, to the point that I am willing to make right choices, it is like asking God to help me lose weight while I eat every dessert and carbohydrate in sight. It’s not going to happen. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God will provide a way of escape from temptation but I will add that He won’t make us walk through that door.

This is a lesson I am still learning. I like quick fixes. I would prefer to be so close to God that I don’t desire to sin but there are still areas where I must choose on a daily basis to take the right path. Sometimes I win; sometimes I fail. Thankfully, I serve a merciful God who will allow me to get back up and try again. The more I choose the path of “right,” the easier it becomes the next time.

Years ago, a friend told me that it was easier for her to not eat any sugar than to eat a small bite. If she allowed herself any, she would end up eating more than she should. It is that way with sin. If we allow ourselves a slight indulgence, we will not be able to stop with that. It is much better to weigh everything we do in light of God’s Word. If He says to do it, do it with all your heart. If He says don’t, stay as far away from it as you can. If there are things that are not clearly stated in Scripture, see if there are principles in the Bible that would speak to the situation. If you have the Spirit of God, He will show you right from wrong. When He does, you have a responsibility to walk in that. Anyone who knows to do right and does it not, to him or her especially, it is sin.

I hope you will choose to be faithful today. Study the fruit of the Spirit and examine yourself to see how those line up in your life. What about the two great commandments: loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself? That is the standard–not whether we are living better than our friends and neighbors, but if we are pleasing God in everything we do.

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Are You Genuine?

I can’t imagine anything worse than being called a hypocrite: “a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.” People used to joke about moms who would holler at their children but, when the phone would ring, the tone of voice quickly changed as she answered, “Hello.” I’ve been in ministry for over 25 years, and I remind myself often that, if I am not living what I preach, I should not be preaching.

This does not mean I never have a bad day. I can become frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed, etc. but I work to overcome so I can walk through those times in a way that honors God. When I fail and I know I have grieved my Father, I ask His forgiveness and His help to do better.

I don’t want anyone to ever look at me and see another Christian who has failed. I want them to see that God is real and at work in the lives of His imperfect people. Without Him, I am not a blessing to anyone but, with Him, there is no end to the ways He can use me if I will allow Him to do so.

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If you are struggling to live Godly in Christ Jesus, the answer is not to give up. Continue to draw near to God, ask for His help to become the person you know you need to be. If you have been unkind to others, tell them you know you were wrong. It may take them time to forgive you but at least you will be taking the first step to a victorious walk with Christ. Habits are hard to break so you may find yourself repeating the sin you’ve repented of. Every time, as soon as you realize you’ve done it again, go to God and ask His forgiveness and His help to say No to those things. Whether anger, pride, selfishness, lust–whatever the sin–God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I, for one, am very grateful that He is continuing the work that He began in me. May I ever praise Him for it.

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Think on These Things

“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Years ago, I felt I needed to watch the News every night to make sure I didn’t miss something important. After a while of hearing about every homicide, accident and tragedy that happened in a 24-hour period, I was almost afraid to step outside of my house. Bad things were always happening to good (and not-so-good) people. After a while, I decided this was not helping me in any way, shape, or form so I stopped watching. It’s possible I have now swung to an opposite extreme, as I hardly ever know what’s going on in the world unless someone tells me or posts it on Facebook, but if I don’t sleep at night, it’s at least not out of fear that someone will murder me in my bed. I realize most people aren’t affected to this degree simply by watching the evening news but I do think it’s easy for anyone to focus on or worry about things that are really beyond our control.

In Philippians 4, Paul gave us a list of things to think about and focus on. I don’t always do it perfectly but, at times, I go over this list and begin to think about what I am putting in my mind. What books am I currently reading? What movies am I watching? Who am I listening to on a regular basis? If anything does not match the above criteria, I need to seriously consider why I am allowing these things into my mind.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

My desire is that everything I do bring glory to God. This begins in the mind. If my focus is on God and what He desires of me, how He desires to bless others, etc., then He will answer my prayer to bless the work of my hands. Not because I am anyone special but because I am ready and willing to be used by Him at a moment’s notice.

If you are down today or fearful of something, I hope that you will take some time to focus on this verse. Think about the good things God is doing in your life and begin to praise Him. Don’t let the devil use the negativity that is all around to bring you down. Recalibrate your mind, and I trust that the worry and fear will begin to subside.
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How Badly Do We Want Revival?

“Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me.” As a child, I liked this song. It had a catchy tune, and of course we should want revival and why shouldn’t it begin with me? At the time, what I understood this to mean was that I needed to be a good girl and then maybe others would follow suit. Oh, the innocence of childhood.

As I was praying for revival the other day, I paused, as I wonder if I am really ready for it. I have heard that the Church in China is praying for persecution in our country so that we will experience revival. As much as I don’t like to think about it, even personal revival often follows severe testing. It doesn’t have to but too many times, we don’t recognize our sincere need for God until we are so far down we can’t help but look up.

James 1:2-4 says, “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

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Humanly, the last thing I want is to go through a trial, yet James tells us that it is those very trials which helps to mold us into the sons and daughters that our Father wishes us to be. As He increases, we decrease. That is when we begin to spread His light so that others can see the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc. that only Christ can give.

Many Christians are content with the fact that they are saved, but they lose focus of the world around them that is going to Hell. I believe the world is often turned off by Christians, as opposed to seeing something that they desire to have. Brothers and Sisters, this ought not be. We must be willing to ask God to truly search our hearts and try us and see if there be any wicked way in us so that we can be brought to repentance. As we allow Him to change us, others will notice, and we will be better able to give an answer for the Hope that lies within us. When this happens, I believe we will begin to see revival. It may only be on a small scale but any time people are turning to God and growing in their walk with Him, God is being glorified and lives are being changed. That, my friend, is revival.

Sony Elise