I enjoy cooking and baking, Being married at such an early age I had to learn the “hands on” way. I threw many dishes out because they tasted so awful they were inedible. We had to eat so I couldn’t just give up.

After many failures came more and more successes and over the years I guess I have obtained “bragging rights”. Through trial and error I discovered the secrets of seasoning, correct temperatures, blending, folding, pinches of this and dashes of that.  I learned by remaining faithful to the task.

When I decided to follow Jesus, I often felt like giving up. I had so many rough spots, bad habits, failures and slip-ups that I just didn’t think I could ever be what God wanted me to be. I understand now that in the same way my cooking went from inedible to edible, that my growing as a Christian has left the baby stages to a more mature stage. I’m not complete by any means, but I have left milk and pabulum and am now eating meat. I have left the crawling and walking stages and am now running the race.

I look back at accomplishments in my life and marvel at the changes that faithfulness has accomplished and it is a complete feeling of thankfulness and praise to God. I must remember though, I’m not finished running the race.

I am thinking about God’s faithfulness this morning and how he is always dependable, always loyal.

2 Tim 2:11-13 If we die with him, we’ll live with him;  If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;  If we give up on him, he does not give up — for there’s no way he can be false to himself. (The Message)

His faithfulness will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. 1 Cor 10:13

 Because of his faithfulness he always keeps his word. Heb 10:23 This encourages us to remember his promises.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins. 1 Jn 1:9

He is faithful to His children because He is first of all faithful to Himself (2 Tim 2:13).

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lam 3:22-24

Is this not awesome? His mercies begin again each morning!

I will leave you with these thoughts and encouraging remarks from
2 Peter 1:5-9 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. (The Message)

Remain faithful!