A Faithful Relationship With God

Being faithful to God is not being put under commands and following religion but it comes with having a personal relationship with Him. Think of a husband and wife. They have promised to be faithful to each other. Not only do they stay faithful to one another because its right, but also because they love each other. They respect each other and they trust each other. Being faithful to God comes with having a committed relationship with Him. You are faithful to Him because you love Him, respect Him, and trust Him.

Culture of excess

We live in a culture of excess. Excess means An extreme or excessive amount or degree. If we live in a culture of excess how do we respond?

We live a life that is about having more, more electronics, bigger homes, nice car, brand name clothes, and more. If we don't have these things it effects us mentality and emotionally. Think of how many people don't have anything. How many people have one outfit to wear when we have many. Not having the newest cars, clothes or electrics can even make us feel less significant. Living in an excessive culture causes fatigue and studies have even shown it causes decline of our health and emotional well-being. Our culture makes obsessiveness seem normal because we have become immune to it. The expectation of having everything has caused a change of the attitude in people. We search for the newest of coolest things to bring success and emotional or physical please.

How much of your time is spent on the computer, playing sports, or watching TV? What do you spend the most time doing? What are the prioritizes in your life? Do you think that what you spend the most time doing has become a priority in your life? A priority that is more important than spending time with God and building a relationship with him?
We become so consumed with the things around us that we forget to "have time" for God, when he should be the first and most important focus in our lives.

Not only is our culture excessive but the bible even shows a culture that was. In the book of Esther, King Xerxes asks his wife to come show off her beauty. The king viewed her as an object or a possession. We know this because the king also had many concubines. When King Xerxes kicked his wife out he searched for a new Queen by bring in beautiful women. These women were put through a year of pampering and beauty treatments. That is excessive.

When is enough? When are we going to lay everything down and stop worshiping idols and the things around us? When are we going to start relying on God for weath, acceptance, happiness, and peace?

Deuteronomy 6:11-12 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD.

A Woman of faith

Esther was a woman of faith. A woman that put her life on the line to do Gods will and to save her people.

King Xerxes was drunk and angry and called for his Queen so he could flaunt her beauty.The queen refused to appear before her husband. Upset with his Queen, wife, the king decided to look for someone to replace her position. Officers were commanded to gather beautiful, young, virgins for the king and the young lady who pleased the king the most would be chosen to replace Queen Vashti. Many beautiful, young women were brought to the king, but none were more beautiful than Esther, cousin of Mordecai. The king adored Esther above all the woman, so setting a crown upon her head, he placed her as his new queen.

Haman, one of the kings officials, was promoted to be the top official. The king declared that all people were to bow down to Haman, but Mordecai, a man faithful to the instruction of God, refused to bow down. Haman grew furious with Mordecai. (Esther 3:5). Haman Knew that Mordecai was a jew so he deceived a plan to kill Mordecai and all the Jews throughout Persia. The king foolishly agreed to Hamans evil plan. When Esther heard of Haman's plan she didn't know what to do. She knew that she was not allowed to come before the king without a formal invitation or she could be put to death. Mordecai came before Esther was advice full of faith.Mordecai assured that Esther would risk her life if she approached the king uninvited, but if she didn't her relatives and people would be put to death. Esther knew what she must do. She fasted for three days to humble herself and seek Gods Guidance. Then she approached the king, ready for the consequences. Queen Esther invited the King and Haman to supper and after their second supper Esther came before the king with a request. She said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss" (Esther 7:3-4). The king became very mad asking, "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?" (verse 5). Esther pointed to Haman who denied of doing such things. The King commanded for Haman to be hung.

Esther is an example of how we need to be faithful to the Lord and be willing.

John 15:13, (NIV) ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

We need to follow the example of Esther and Mordecai, who were faithful. We should have a loving relationship or faith, built on a love, trust, and believing in God.

life on the line

Living a life of faith isn't easy. Living by faith is not only walking when we can see, or when things are easy, but walking when things are hard and when we can't see. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says to live by faith and not by sight.
Esther lived a life of faith and courage. At one point in her time being queen, Haman was seeking revenge on Mordecai. Haman devised to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom and convinced the king to issue a decree that 10,000 talents of silver would go to anyone who would destroy the jews. (Esther 3) When Esther, who is Jewish, hears of the circumstance her people, she knows that she needs to confrount the king and plead for the lives of her people. Esther did not have the courage within herself so she went to God to gain the courage she lacked. She placed her life in Gods and let him have all controll. She walked by faith. She did not know what the outcome of the situation was going to be, but she trusted that God did. Esther could have been killed for coming before the king without permission but she obeyed God and went before the king knowing full well she was putting her life on the line.

It is hard for us to let go of a situation and place it in Gods hands, but he will always give us strength and courage just like he gave Esther.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.- Ephesians 6:10-18

Check out this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEK071gUHHg

Living in an Unfaithful World

Why is it so hard to stay faithful? We live in a unfaithful world. Everyone around us is trying to fit in. People are constantly changing there minds, giving into pressures, and wanting to be like everyone else, but we aren't called to fit in. Jesus has called us to be set apart. In Romans 12:2 It says, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Think of all the things that have become acceptable in our culture that were never Gods will.

• Prostitution
• Abusive leadership
• Gay marriage
• Divorce
• Abortion
• Sexual Behaviors
• Discrimination
• Our Manners
• How we speak
• Our attitudes

In the book of Esther there are many examples not only of faithfulness, but also unfaithfulness. In Esther 12:1, the king commands Queen Vashti, his wife, to come before him. The king was drunk and angry. He wanted her to display her beauty. She refused and was sentenced to never again enter the presence of King Xerxes. Her position was also given to someone else who was better than she.

Since we live in a world that is not glorifying to God and his will, how do we respond to unfaithfulness? Put everything into God. Spend more time praying, reading his word and meditating on it. This way we make our relationship with God stronger and trust in Him.

What is Faithfulness?

Faithfulness:

1. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
2. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
3. reliable, trusted, or believed.

Being faithful is very important biblical challenge. As followers of God we are called to live a life of faithfulness, a life that is pleasing to Him. Although we sometimes think we know what is better for us, Jesus has a path he has set out for us. He knows what's best in our lives.

There are many examples of faithful people in the bible. Take Abraham for example. Abraham believed and trusted in God. When God asked Abraham to do something Abraham would obey him no matter how foolish it seemed. At one point of Abrahams life, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed even though it did not seem sensible. When Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac, God stopped him and said, "Now I know that you trust me and that you would not hold back anything from me." Abraham was faithful to God.

Esther was also a great example of faithfulness. Esther was chosen as a queen among many beautiful ladies. At one point Esther had to obey God and go before the king. In those days the queen was forbidden to come to the kings unless he had requested her. If she did come before him without request, she could be killed, but Esther risked her life and was faithful to God and her people.

What does the bible say about faithfulness?

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Faithfulness

The Purpose of my blog is to focus on answering and discussing, 'How to live a Faithful life.'
I would encourage you to read this blog and think about it. Please feel free post your thoughts and responses. May the thought, effort and words I have written speak to you.

If you would like to read other blogs about faithfulness check out, http://faithfulives.blogspot.com/