Vitality

Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

God gives power! Through obedience and discipline, we begin to experience this life-giving force. This is the fruit which helps us be fruitful. Our ministries are not held up by our own efforts, but by the overflow of what God is doing in our hearts. Rely on yourself, you will be exhausted. Rely on God, you will feel energy so that you can successfully become an attractive aroma that leads others to “the” source.

Obedience and discipline; nobody wants to hear this. But it is necessary in attaining that vigor which sustains. This is not legalism; we can do nothing to achieve heaven. But we do have to be trustworthy stewards of what God gives. God has blessed, and he will bless anyway. The effort really reveals motives. If you serve to receive your efforts will be thwarted. But if you fear God and are motivated by the principles of the kingdom of heaven, God will freely grant vitality for the fight.

We are all flawed. But God gives more grace. We will never be perfect. But if you just listen to what God is talking directly to you about, something foundational and fundamental to your growth, in due time God will lift you up and back your service.

The Christian life is really a school for seekers. In it we press forward to attain the goal of wholeness and healing; after all, this life is important. Heaven is a gift, and we move about with the assurance of our eternal destiny. This is our strength, a gift God gladly grants. Heaven awaits, but we still have precious lives to lead here in this world.

Do not grieve the spirit with flagrant offenses. This will only halt growth and take away your joy. Know that we are in a battle for other’s souls, and there will be trials and tribulations. Personal piety is important. Successfully minding the details of our lives gives strength in the fight for others. God gives clarity to the faithful. He helps us answer the big questions in order that we can pass it on. Our vitality can be infectious. We live first, then we lead.

God works all things to the good for those who believe. He has contingencies for even our flaws and failings. But do not use this as an excuse. For those who acknowledge God in all ways, he grants spiritual blessing while directing our paths. I, personally, want to know that, come what may, God is in the lead. Whether I feel vitality or not is a good indicator of how well I am doing.