Internalizing Our Faith

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During the Christmas season we often "externalize" our faith with Christian activities and gifts but what needs to come forth as we participate in all these festivities is the light that comes from internalizing our faith.   

Internalizing our faith is the most important thing we can do for others and ourselves. 

What does internalizing our faith mean?

Internalizing our faith is what God has been quietly stirring and growing, producing and maturing in us in our daily relationship with Him.

Let Your Light Shine

 ^“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

We often think of good deeds as “deeds” alone but deeds are to be actions and genuine words that result from us looking  to God.

Think about the moon.  It doesn’t produce it’s own light but has light because it faces the sun. We have light because we are inwardly submitting and looking to God- the source of our light.  We aren’t denying God but allowing God shine from within.

John wrote,

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5

LIFE! Life isn’t a life of activity and possessions.   Life is experiencing the presence of God working in our life.

One might say when we internalize our faith in God then everything else will take care of it’s self.

IS THIS AN EASY TASK?

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

If continually internalizing our faith were an easy task, do you think Jesus would have to go venture out away from the noise, static, clutter, and distraction of world?

Even Satan tries to keep us from internalizing our faith.

Remember when the Holy Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness for forty days? Satan showed up to try to divert Jesus from the Father’s objective to save humanity from their sin and restore their relationship with Him.  If Satan did that to Jesus do you not think he will command his demons to divert our attention away from God as well?

No it’s not easy.  We live in a world of go, go, go.  We go from one activity to another activity and even when we have a chance to sit and be still we become preoccupied on our electrical devices.   If you ask some who have retired, they are busier now then when they had a full time job. 

We need to continually be reminded to take time to be with the Lord.  We have a brother in Christ who set’s reminders on his cell phone to take a few moments to retreat into God.

We can get carried away and overwhelmed in this world.   The mud puddles of world can soak us as we pass by.  The thorns of agitations can take hold.   We can forget what good bread tastes like or there is a sun above the gray clouds.  We get the dust of world to clog our spiritual filter and if we not checked and maintained we can reflect the fallen mindsets and conditions of humanity.

 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Think if Jesus had to get away from the messes of everyday life to pray then we ALSO must do this to find that CENTER- that sweet spot.

That CENTER where GOD enables us to live in “this quiet satisfying resilience” which comes when one internalizes their faith

This CENTER is impossible to have without prayer. 

The word says,  ^“pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is a constant surrendering- a humbling submission that includes a genuine heart of gratitude where the seed of self -dies and we grow and abide in Christ but what happens when the plant or tree isn't watered and the warmth of God isn't allowed to shine on it?  The plant or tree will wilt, it's leaves will fall from it and it's fruit will turn and dry up on it's branches and it will die.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 

What happens when we pray?

I don’t know about you but when I challenge my doldrums and my lowest low in prayer, I am lifted out of those conditions.  I knock on God's door and door opens.  There is an unexplainable spiritual change that takes place inside of me.  What was impossible to reach moments before becomes possible through prayer and even song.  God gives me something to eat to nourish my soul and encourage me on in the day ahead. 

If I don’t seek God, who is the light, I can slip into deeper darkness and I can become ineffective as a vessel of God.

Think how the devil uses this to his advantage because so many do not challenge what comes against them in prayer.  

When we pray we are turning, submitting to God.  When we pray we are challenging everything that comes against us/ everything that tries to put our light out and get our focus off of God.

^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Let’s take a moment….

Thank You LORD that you sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross and he rose from the grave to forgive our sins and empower us with a relationship with you through your Holy Spirit.  Lord, forgive me for offenses. Thank you LORD for your correction.  Thank you for your mercy and grace and unfailing love.  Thank you LORD that you are protecting and touching my family and providing for all their needs this day.  Thank you are protecting our minds and hearts this day.  Thank you LORD you are giving me renewed strength this day.  Thank you LORD for your guidance this day and ability this day. Thank you LORD you are touching “this need” right now.  I thank you LORD for your provision.  I thank you LORD for all the things I take for granted such as clean water, a bed and a pillow, electricity, a vehicle, a heater, a job, warm clothes, food in my refrigerator.  I thank you LORD you know my every need.  Thank you LORD you are giving me the words to speak.  Thank you LORD for ironing and straightening “this” situation and closing the doors that need to be shut. Thanks for the Spiritual bread you have for me to feed my soul this day and spiritual oil to keep my lamp burning bright for you.  Thank you LORD you are healing this person this day.  Thank you LORD you are encouraging this person this day.   Thank you LORD you touching this leader with your Spirit to make the right decisions.  LORD direct my footsteps and enable me to reflect your light to others around me this day.  Help me to stand fast when it is needed and difficult. In Jesus name Amen  

It’s amazing what happens throughout our day when we watch and take note and are made aware of what God does for us everyday.  Thank Him and watch what He does to gladden and enrich your soul.

… And the peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.