Monday Morning Bible Study - Week 6
Are we being found faithful?
For the last five weeks we’ve looked at the faithfulness of God and seen His sovereignty in His control over this world, His sovereignty in His authority in world events, and His sovereignty in His covenantal presence and promises.
We’ve seen how throughout scripture His faithfulness remains, even when the people of God were not faithful. Thank you God for that!
Today we’re going to get a little more personal and look at our hearts a bit deeper, in light of scripture, to see how God is calling US to be faithful as well.
Let’s first take a look at the definition of faithful from a few sources:
Merriam Dictionary says this: “steadfast in affection or allegiance:” Loyal, faithful friend.
The Free Dictionary says: “Consistent with truth or actuality:” a faithful reproduction of the portrait.
Another definition I found is: “unwavering in belief, consistently loyal.”
If we look at the Biblical definitions of the word Faithful, we find these descriptions:
“In many passages in the Bible, (Faithful) means "believing." Thus in Galatians 3:9, believers are said to be blessed with Abraham, because of his preeminent distinction above all man for steadfast faith in God.”
"A faithful saying" is one that cannot prove false, 1 Timothy 1:15 2 Timothy 2:11.
“It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted”
Faithfulness is also a fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
As we see, faithfulness (or being faithful) carries a lot of weight.
Words like loyal, allegiance, unwavering, consistent, and trustworthy are all characteristics we would want our spouses, our family and friends, our pastors or bosses to possess. We feel secure when we have people in our lives with these qualities, right? We long to find faithful friends, those who stick closer than a brother… (Proverbs 18:24)
All the descriptions of the word faithful can definitely be attributed to our faithful God, but how can we be faithful to Him? What are ways we can be unwavering in belief and consistently loyal to Him, and to those He has placed in our lives? Throughout our lives do we believe that God has entrusted us with the people in our lives for His purposes? Even those we may not see eye-to-eye with? Can God enable us to live faithfully in the challenges that this brings?
How can we faithfully grow in this world we live in, that by and large goes against a Biblical worldview?
I want to stop here for the week so we can ponder these questions, and pray for our hearts to faithfully grow in understanding and obedience to God’s Word.
I’ll finish off this lesson next week, but in the mean time read this prayer from Ephesians 3 before you answer the Daily questions.
Prayer for spiritual strength:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
Daily Prompt:
How does trusting in God’s faithfulness help us in the challenges we face with others? And with our own faithfulness?
How do we walk this road of loving others, loving the beauty of this world God created with the call to do the will of God and abide in Him
Art Application:
It is ok to see, enjoy and love beauty, it shows us who He is. The Bible says that part of the way God “speaks” is through what He has made! So for todays art project I want you to think about what beauty in creation speaks to you of God’s awesome power AND faithfulness. Is it the mountains and a rushing stream? Is it the beach and the roaring waves? Is it a flower with all it’s intricate petals? Take some time this week to be creative and capture His creation through art journaling, painting or photography.
“If our faith isn’t rooted in the Bible, it will wither like a plant pulled out of the soil.” Billy Graham
Have a GREAT Monday everyone!
Hugs to all,
Laura McCollough