Partners
The Lord has been dealing with me concerning the Art of being Consistent. Understanding that it is Consistency and not ones Talent and Giftings that produce Prosperity. Our Talent and Gifting may carry us for a time, they may provide us the opportunity to be "Successful" in the short term but it is in doing a thing well, to the best of you ability even, over a long period of time that ensures Prosperity in any area of our lives.
We may "successfully" keep to a diet plan for a few days or even weeks but significant results are derived from long term consistency with the diet! I may experience several intense and very successful exercise routines but they will not produce the results that I desire if they are isolated, inconsistent events. It is only through consistent effort and diligence that I will see the physical changes and health benefits that I desire.
It is the same with Spiritual Growth and Excellence in Ministry! A couple of good days in the presence of God's Spirit may leave us feeling like Arnold Swartzenneger but the truth is that the feeling of accomplishment is little more than the equivalent of a "Spiritual Pump" if we do not follow it up with a consistent pattern of intimacy with God. Cities are taken hold of Spiritually by those who have first taken hold of their own daily lives on a Consistent basis!
I am reminded of what the Lord said of His disciples in the garden, "The Spirit is indeed ready but the flesh is weak." He had asked them to Watch and to Pray, to be vigilant and to be in tuned with His Spirit. That is the standard that I believe is so vitally important for us to take hold of if we are going to be Prosperous in Ministry or even in Daily Christianity. That we establish ourselves committed and consistent to Watch and to Pray. That we establish ourselves as Vigilant and endeavor to sustain a level of Intimacy with the Holy Spirit so that we don't enter into the temptation, become distracted or to literally fall asleep at our spiritual post. Consistency may just be a matter of allowing His Spirit, through our Spirit, to exercise control over our flesh!
Consistency as it applies to the Word of God is truly the Mark of Maturity.
Blessings,
Pastor James
Consistency
Hey Apostle James, Thanks for the thought provoking word.
As I read this blog the word "Endure" keeps coming to mind. Mostly how in the several dozen times that I have attempted to start an exercise regimine and have not endured or been consistent with it for very long. Matthew 10:22 says "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Consistency of Spirit is important to God. He knows that Satan is always trying us to see if he can get us to break fellowship with our Father. Just like any relationship, we sometimes have to resolve to love one another even when we are not feeling like loving. This is the pure love that God has for us, (Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.) Satan failed in making God turn away from us, his only option now is to convince us to turn from God. (Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ) We must remember that the pure love of Christ endureth forever, and because we have freely received that love we must freely give the same. A pure and consistent Love that is not conditional. When we endure we can expect to receive the Crown of Life. (Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. )
These are my thoughts, thanks again for insighting Revelation
P Jeff