I have been afforded the opportunity to be one of the guest ministers for a youth conference this weekend. I've been taught to prepare by seeking God's specific will and plan prior to completing any assignment. In my time of preparation and seeking God, I fast, or abstain, from something that I know would keep me from hearing God clearly and being distracted from focusing on the assignment ahead. Yesterday, I was reminded that holiness requires discipline. Discipline to me is a consistent practice of abstinence from those things that would hinder me from living the life that I've been called to live...and that's holy. So during my time of meditation and abstaining in preparation for my upcoming assignment, I paused to checked my motives. In doing so, I asked myself, "why do you only 'consciously' abstain only when you have a 'particular' assignment?" That led to me asking myself, "why don't you have a consistent practice of abstaining simply because discipline is a requirement to living holy.'' I Peter 1:15-16 reads: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it it written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. In looking at this scripture, I see that I'm called to be holy before I am called to minister. Therefore, if holiness requires discipline then it should be like second nature to fast, or abstain, from those carnal things that satisfy ONLY the flesh. Fasting builds the spirit man and weakens the carnal man. So, if all of my time is spent satisfying my flesh, then my spirit man will grow weak, possibly to the point of death, which is what carried-out-sin causes. When one is 'walking' and 'living' by the flesh, then sin is its best friend. When one is walking an living by the Spirit, then one is always ready to hear and receive whatever God has to say about ANYTHING! So, tell me, why do you abstain? Is it for religious reasons or for relationship reasons? Do you desire to draw closer to God so that you become more like Him in every way? Do you desire to be so close to God that you can physically feel His presence? My friend, I encourage you to practice what you preach.
Peace, Blessings, and Favor
Well SIS I can say I abstain because I want to be closer to GOd. I want to be more like HIM in all ways possible..i know I will never be Like HIM.but i will strive 2 be..because Walking this walk is a daily process.nt sure about everybody else..Anywho. I will never know if we will have that intimacy of a physical connection..but I certainly will be HOLY cause its only right 4 the most HIGH!! Oh yeah thanks 4 putting that statement about practicing what yhu preach.not a lot of people know how 2 do that sort of thing yet..lbvvs!! luv yhu SIS..nd just make sure yhu keep ur FAITH 2 the highest standard 4 urself nd continue 2 encourage others 2 do the same.XOXO!!!
ReplyDelete#Meely over N oUt!!