The last compartment of my structured prayer journal is for Faith and Follow-through. What good would it do for me to record all of God’s promptings, if I did not follow through with them?
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15
Have you ever connected your love for God to your obedience to God?
Even in the small things, our lack of obedience says something to God about our heart’s condition.
“We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands…” 1 John 2:3
I love this verse because it answers a question so many have – Am I really saved? Well, if we are a people who are about following through with what God plans for us, then Yes!
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
According to this scripture God has made plans for us to fulfill. And when we fulfill them, we demonstrate our love for God. It is that simple, and that important. This is what makes this compartment so significant.
Once God prompted me to send a card to a girlfriend of mine who had been struggling in a relationship. I felt lead to send a specific scripture to her that God once gave me when I was struggling in a previous relationship. A couple of days later she called me; she was so excited! The day she received my card she had told the Lord that morning that she needed a word from Him about this relationship. She looked for His answer all day, so she was thrilled when He spoke to her through the scripture I had written in her card. Glory to God!
Because I had been through something similar, God used it to help my friend.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
I know you’ve heard it said before, but it is really true and worth saying again – God’s people are the hands and feet of Jesus. When we hold back, we are robbing others from experiencing God’s comfort, grace, mercy, love,…
The most revealing thing I have learned about recording what God is asking me to do is that He asks a lot less of me than I ask of Him. Some weeks, He asks nothing and other weeks, He may ask only a couple things of me. I typically ask Him for 7 to 10 things every week. Clearly, I am the taker, and He is the Giver.
I definitely want Him to answer my requests, just like He must want me to answer His. This is our relationship.
[tweetthis]The follow-through of a faithful servant fans the flame of God’s goodness.[/tweetthis]
What about you? Is there anything you need to follow through with?
Now, just because we have walked all the way through my idea of a structured prayer journal, it does not mean that we are through! Far from it. I have several stories and additional tips to share with you. So make plans to come back tomorrow!
I am participating in The Nester’s 31 Days of Writing. You can go here to keep up with my 31 day feature on structured prayer journaling.
Many blessings,
~gina
Dear Guest,
When you subscribe here to my blog, you will receive these weekly features: (Click and check out the corresponding posts!)
This week I am linking up with HolleyGerth.com, ChristianMommyBlogger, and FaithAlongtheWay. Check out this page for a full view of all of my preferred blog parties.
Award-winning author Gina Duke is a wife, mom and the Director of Women’s Ministry at her local church. With a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, she is able to bring a clear word for authentic Christian living. Through her book, “Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray” (Abingdon Press), she imparts 1 Peter 4:7 with the gift of structured prayer journaling. You may also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @TheGinaDuke.
Gena, just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your posts. They are always just what I needed to hear !!!! The and love, mp
Mary Paul, that is the sweetest note. Thank you for tuning in! ~gina
Hi Gina, I saw you at Coffee for Your Heart and your graphic and headline caught my eye. Oh I want follow through, obedience, in my Christian walk as well. That’s an interesting thought that God asks less of us than we do of Him!
Hi, Betsy! Thank you for stopping by…Yes, I want to do well at faith and follow through, too! God bless, Gina
This post really hit me. I have struggled with this for a while. Several years ago I felt led to send a card to my friend’s father who had just accepted Christ. I did not follow through on it and the following week he committed suicide. I learned an important lesson through that because I could never make it right. In September I felt led to send my cousin a card who I knew was struggling with a lot of things. The card basically said “If it helps to know someone cares, I do”. and then I filled in a personal message. In the card I included a magazine clipping that hung on my mirror for almost 4 years that was the verse you mentioned from 2 Corinthians. This verse helped me so much and I knew it was time to pass it along to her. The following week she accidentally overdosed and died. I felt so confused because I actually sent the card this time and tragedy happened anyway, but I was reminded this situation was bigger than me and I listened to God this time. At the memorial service my aunt let me know how much that card had meant to my cousin and I took comfort in knowing that.
Stephanie, Thank you for sharing your stories. God is gracious and merciful to prompt us to reach out to the hurting. Regardless of outcomes, and I am sorry about both your friends, it is important that we follow through and leave the rest up to the Lord. So glad you got some good feedback on your friend. That was a real blessing. Blessings, Gina