Are You Fully Persuaded?

What are you fully persuaded on in the Kingdom of God? This is a serious and very important question to know the answer too. I don’t mean in words. Oh, we can all talk a good game of what we believe about God and His Kingdom. But I am referring to the truth in our hearts.

It seems of late that we (as women), are more stressed and worried then I’ve seen in a long time. And it is distressing to me, because many of us should be further along than we are. I’m witnessing baby Christians grab hold of the truth and stand on it better than some of the saints who have been around awhile—and that should not be.

Am I surprised? No. Because Paul speaks of spiritual immaturity, “¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV)

Why is it that some of us still have need of milk, when we should be stronger and able to handle the meatier things of God?

For one we have our priorities askew. But mainly there is a laziness in the Body. Yup, I said it!  Not too many come out and call our lack of working on building up our faith and relationship with God, “Lazy!” But it's true. And there is no other reason or excuse. 

There are personality types that want results the quick and easy way. It took us five years to gain 50 pounds, but we want a quick fix to get it off in five months. Versus doing it in a way that is healthy and good for us, we want to do diets that are no way sustainable or really healthy. We don’t want to do the work that is long term.

We are in debt (of our own doing), so we purchase books on prosperity and stand on scriptures looking for God to move miraculously. When in truth, we will have to bit the bullet and pay off that debt the good old fashioned way—one payment at a time.

Some of us have been battling depression for years, and we have used others as a crutch—until we have worn them out. When Jesus should be the One we have learned to lean and depend on.

I could give so many examples but I want to move forward to the heart of the matter—faith—or lack thereof. Because no matter what comes up in life or what we need—faith is key.

And faith is one of the biggest areas we are lax in working on. We are so quick to ask others to pray for us (concerning our life situations and crises), and always look for someone to pick us up and encourage us. Remember, I am not talking to any new converts here; I’m talking to you sisters who have been hanging out in the Kingdom for awhile. I’m talking to those of you who should be mature, but are not. Well, I guess I’m also speaking to the babes too—pay attention so you don’t fall into the trap of being spoon fed the gospel and not learning how to eat the meaty parts on your own.

When you’ve been in a Kingdom for awhile and you are always in a crisis, needing help—you become a poor example. And to tell the truth, people get tired of you. Why? Because we are human and not like God, who is loooong suffering. 

And I say this because, many people read you as the representation of Christ Jesus—not a Bible. So, therefore, why should they want your Jesus when it seems He really isn’t doing that much for you? You are always posting on Facebook that you need prayers. You are always woe is me. You go from one fire to the next, instead of faith to faith.

How many of us have Face Book friends and family who are not saved? We all do! So, how does this come across to them? I want you to seriously think about it.

“Worry is the antitheist of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.” ~Elisabeth Elliot~ I couldn’t have said it better.

Sisters, it's time to stop the madness of trying to be like Peter Pan, and stay a kid forever. It is time to stop wanting quick fixes from God and begin to have faith in Him to help us—in His way and His timing, according to His Word.

I’m sure that some of you were saying, “But Ponnie, you don’t know my life situation!” And you are absolutely correct—I do not! But God does, and that is all that matters. 

We don’t need 100 people praying for us. If we are in a place where we need prayer, then all we really need is one person who has a relationship with God to stand with us. Jesus, assures us that where just two come together in agreement, He is there with us. We should all have people like that in our lives. So, with that being said, be prudent in posting prayer request in a public forum for your personal crisis. Stop using people as if they are going to be a magical solution.  

It is time to be serious about studying and reading the Bible—daily! It really is that simple. Because the more we read the bible and begin to believe what it says, the more we become fully persuaded about the things of God. Sure, we will always need one another for support and encouragement. But not more than God. 

The words “fully persuaded” in the Greek language mean, “completely assured”. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans.

You want to have a daily confession, try, “I am fully persuaded that God will meet all my needs!” Why? Because He has promised that He will!

Life unscripted is going to happen—but when we are shored up in the Word of God, that is when we are fully persuaded He is with us, no matter what is going on.

The Word of God is a most excellent reminder that God has already been in all our tomorrows—even when they become our complicated and frightening today.

There are no surprises whatsoever to Him.

When you don’t read and study the Word, you will always be a baby with a bunch of problems and sadness in your life. You will never know what it is to have the peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of a storm. You will never grasp what salvation is all about and what the finished work of the Cross is. It will be impossible.

It’s time to become fully persuaded about something pertaining to God! Go ahead, pick one thing that pertains to whatever it is you are experiencing now. Get into the Word, and study it out—building up your faith. There are no easy fixes in the Kingdom. You have to put in the time and work, just as we have to in most natural things if we really want change.

You want to ask for prayer on Face Book. Ask for prayer that you become diligent in reading and studying the Bible. Ask people to lift you up to have a stronger relationship with God. Ask them to pray for a desire and fire to know what the finished work of the Cross is. Personally, I would love to see prayer request such as these on Face Book. Why? Because they would be life changing.

And if you don't have a sister in your life who will pray with you and encourage you, ask God for one.  Public forums are not the place for intimacy. 

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie