God requires us to be trustworthy.
Thankful always in the good and the bad to remain reliably steadfast in our character.
It is to always look to the promises and not the present circumstances.
To turn away from murmuring and complaining to thankfulness and praise.
Promises can be withheld and delayed by the former and atmospheres can be changed and transformed by the latter.
It has to be a daily choice to receive the promises and to reject all else until it becomes our norm to be thankful, hope filled.
To not to allow subtle self destructive sabotage of our peace and joy to creep in.
Strength of dependable character is being sought after as important a quality to God’s requirement as purity, that we become the spotless brides Jesus will return to be with.
God is requiring us to look robustly into ourselves to see where we unknowingly have partnered with the wrong.
Knowing what we should or should not be but the wrong choice compromises who we become
We discover that we have given in subtly to temptation and not taken control.
For example, over indulging in whatever is our weakness:
Eating, drinking, needing to be entertained, moaning; things that sabotage and weaken our character.
God submitted bodies, churches where the sure foundations of biblical truth, Jesus centred and Spirit driven places of worship have subtly refocused.
They have in some cases become indulgent of wanting to be entertained with the culture popular preaching, worship, music and performance.
There is a sense that God is desiring to be sought for His faithful presence not to be on stage as a performer.
To be authentic and trust worthy not cosmetic as the enemy would orchestrate.
God is perhaps wanting to dismantle and tear down anything that is not of His building.
Give way to rebuilding, rekindling what is good and retrievable and make fit for the spotless bride we are required to be.
The illustration shows us intentionally giving thanks in all circumstances. Praise changing the atmosphere, bringing light and diminishing darkness.
Five Scriptures that come to mind:
“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.”James (Jacob) 1:2-3 TPT
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 ESV
“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”James 2:20 ESV
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”James 2:26 ESV
“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”James 3:2 ESV
The song Canyons. Cory Asbury
https://youtu.be/I6d9GtThOxk
Lessisgreater 