Discussion - Where have you been?

Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it." -Genesis 4:7 


It has been a while since I've wrote a discussion on here. One could say I was taking a break, one could also say that I picked up a bad habit. I would definitely say the latter -- I missed a post and then the priority dropped. I'll admit, that's not the only thing that dropped... I became lazy and distracted and before you know it, I wasn't showing God all of the attention that He deserves. Has anything like this ever happened to you? I surely hope not.

One thing that I've learned through all of this is how important consistency is. You have to remain consistent in this walk with Christ, or your life can turn upside down in an instant. 

It's somewhat like working out -- it hurts at first (leaving your sinful life behind), 
then it becomes easier (you get closer to God and you're unashamed) 
sometimes you slip up and eat something unhealthy (sin), 
but if you remain strong your muscles will build up (your faith increases). 
If you were to stop working out (praying, reading the bible etc.) for a small amount of time, you may pick up the habit and stop working out completely. 
If this happens; you'll not only get out of shape (lose focus of what really matters), but your life will also take a toll as well (same meaning).


I've seen the enemy cause this feeling inside of us saying "why am I doing this?" or if nothing happens quick enough we become impatient and want to stop trying. This is also similar to working out. I often find myself wondering why it seems like those that aren't even trying to be saved seem to be prospering in life when I am trying my absolute hardest and it seems like my life isn't moving. God recently showed me two places in the bible that ultimately shut me up.

The first is Jesus's parable of the prodigal son found in Luke chapter 15 verses 11-32. This is going to be long so bare with me.

"And Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, let me have the part of the family riches that will be coming to me.’ Then the father divided all that he owned between his two sons. Soon after that the younger son took all that had been given to him and went to another country far away. There he spent all he had on wild and foolish living. When all his money was spent, he was hungry. There was no food in the land. He went to work for a man in this far away country. His work was to feed pigs. He was so hungry he was ready to eat the outside part of the ears of the corn the pigs ate because no one gave him anything. “He began to think about what he had done. He said to himself, ‘My father pays many men who work for him. They have all the food they want and more than enough. I am about dead because I am so hungry. I will get up and go to my father. I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son. But may I be as one of the workmen you pay to work?”’ “The son got up and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son.’ But the father said to the workmen he owned, ‘Hurry! Get the best coat and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. Bring the calf that is fat and kill it. Let us eat and be glad. For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’ “The older son was out in the field. As he was coming near the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was happening. The servant answered, ‘Your brother has come back and your father has killed the fat calf. Your brother is in the house and is well.’ The older brother was angry and would not go into the house. His father went outside and asked him to come in. The older son said to his father, ‘All these many years I have served you. I have always obeyed what you said. But you never gave me a young goat so I could have a supper and a good time with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came back, you killed the fat calf. And yet he wasted your money with bad women.’ “The father said to him, ‘My son, you are with me all the time. All that I have is yours. It is right and good that we should have a good time and be glad. Your brother was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found.’” 

Ok so if you're looking from the eyes of the son who doesn't understand why the son that came back got treated so well, then we are (were) in the same boat. However, like the dad in the parable, God is basically saying "I have been blessing you. You have your blessings, but you can't see them because you're looking at others" and also we should praise God for the people that were once lost and now are found. I know it's hard, but at some point we really need to get over ourselves and stop complaining. Think about where you've come from. You were once the prodigal son.

The second verse God showed me actually wasn't a verse. It was an entire chapter. Chapter 73 of psalms to be exact, which literally speaks on the issue at hand. It's been a while since I've posted so of course I'm going to post the entire chapter. Well, starting at verse 2.

"But as for me, my feet came close to falling. My steps had almost tripped. For I was jealous of the proud when I saw that all was going well with the sinful. For they suffer no pain in their death, and their body is fat. They do not have the troubles of other men or suffer like other men. So they wear pride around their neck. Fighting covers them like a coat. They are so fat that their eyes are pushed out. The crazy thoughts of their hearts run wild. They laugh at the truth, and speak sinful things about making it hard for others. They speak from a high place. They say bad things against heaven, and their tongue walks through the earth. And so his people return to this place and drink water from a full cup. They say, “How does God know? Is there much learning with the Most High?” See, this is what the sinful are like. They always have it easy and their riches grow. For no good reason I have kept my heart pure and have not sinned. For I have suffered all day long. I have been punished every morning. I would not have been true to Your children if I had spoken this way. It was too hard for me when I tried to understand this, until I went into the holy place of God. Then I understood their end. For sure, You set the sinful in places where there is danger at every step. You throw them down to be destroyed. How they are destroyed right away! They come to an end with much fear. Like a dream when one wakes up, so You will hate what they look like when You rise up, O Lord. My heart was troubled and I was hurt inside. I was without reason and did not know better. I was like an animal before You. Yet I am always with You. You hold me by my right hand. You will lead me by telling me what I should do. And after this, You will bring me into shining-greatness. Whom have I in heaven but You? I want nothing more on earth, but You. My body and my heart may grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever. For, see, those who are far from You will be lost from You forever. You have destroyed all those who are not faithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my safe place. So I may tell of all the things You have done." - Psalm 73:2-28 


Isn't that a lovely chapter? Isn't it so relevant to life? If I were you I would bookmark this chapter in your bible and refer to it, every time you get those "wondering" feelings.

No matter how great you feel like you are or how low you may feel, one thing you have to do is remain consistent. Like 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 states:

 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

Every day is a constant seeking to be nearer to Christ and to do the will of God. Don't be lazy. Continue moving and remain consistent.

"But the person who endures to the end will be saved." -Matthew 24:13 

What are some things that you feel you could be more consistent with? Let's discuss! 

I have TWO major announcements:

1. Episode 8 airs [this Sunday] leaving us with only two episodes left in the first season. (Very big deal.)

2. The 4 year anniversary for my production company is this Friday. Help me celebrate by subscribing to  My YouTube Channel and watch the video of me making twinkies that I'm going to upload on the 20th as well. Yes. Making twinkies. It shall be fun. See ya Friday then Sunday! God bless.