My Father's Source by Faith Fashion & Photos photographer, Timothy W HarrisMy personal bible that was provided as a future resource for my children. Photographer: Timothy W Harris.

Taking into account the level of desire I have to relieve financial stress, you would think that I would be more in tune to follow God more closely. This is not to say that I don't believe in Him but Trusting Him requires more than mental conception. It requires the work of doing His will and sometimes that means not doing other things that might get in the way of or consume time that should be focused on His tasks.

That is where most of my concern begins regarding how I am following God's instruction. Am I doing the things to make God pleased with me because I ultimately want what I want? Do I see being obedient to God as a trick... If I'm doing this for God, then He will do this for me? Take into consideration 1 Kings 3:1-14. Unlike Solomon, who really wanted wisdom, do I just want to have wisdom because I know that it will bring me riches? Is it a direct reflection of James 4:3? I hope my heart is not, still, so shallow as to not really be honest with God or myself. After all that we have lost over the years, my soul should be more broken than that; especially after the Lord has corrected me so many times before now.

It takes a real awareness of who God is in the lives of others before I can understand what is right in my heart. Does the pain of those around me cause me so much hurt that I am willing to forego my own comfort so they may have peace? Is that really where I am or am I looking at this as a fair trade for my own blessings?

Check your soul and mind for what you are really lusting for because God is a jealous God and will have none of that within His temple. 

~~

twh