Today I am challenging you to put feet to your faith!
What is that thing that God has laid upon your heart to do? What is keeping you from moving forward with it? Have you tried to make it happen before, only to feel like you are running into brick walls time and time again? Are you tired of watching others take flight with their dreams while you seem to remain grounded?
Let’s take your faith to a new level today. Visualize yourself doing that thing that you are so passionate about. This is your end-state vision. See yourself in all of God’s glory, doing what you were created to do. Now compare that vision with where you are today.
Are you mentally, physically and emotionally equipped for what lies ahead? Have you already taken steps toward your end-state-vision? Have you spoken with others to find out what they did to reach similar goals? Have you researched the things you need or asked God to show you what you need? Now is the time for a gap analysis. What is the gap between where you are today and your end-state vision?
The Bible says “faith without works is dead” so put some action to your faith today. Do the research and allow God to teach you through your diligence. He will show you the next steps as you demonstrate obedience in seeking His will for your life. His plan is not to leave us alone without guidance or direction, however, sometimes we do not exhibit willingness to receive the information He has for us. Now is the time to change that. Ask God for the knowledge and resources you need and position yourself to receive them by seeking Him and studying diligently.
Walk in faith and watch God fill in the gaps!
James 2:16-18 (New International Version)
16If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Have you ever been given a diagnosis that you just couldn’t quite accept? Whether it is pertaining to health, job, school or your family, sometimes the decision handed down is not what you expected.
You heard the words that were coming out of the person’s mouth, you read the decision in black and white, but somehow you just could not accept it, try as you might. In the end, maybe you forced yourself to accept it, but to this day, you are not settled with the outcome.
When this happens to me, I pray and ask God for His opinion. I always hope that God will plainly tell me what the real outcome is going to be. However He doesn’t often deal with me that way. It seems that God loves to keep us coming back for more so He doesn’t always reveal His Hand. He usually gives me another option to research. I do my homework and step by step, His plan unfolds. The outcome is far better than the original diagnosis I received, and I am blown away.
Situations like these seem like faith-stretching exercises from the Master Teacher. It requires faith not to fall apart and give in at the first diagnosis; it requires faith to trust God that there is a better way for His children; it also requires faith to follow God’s leading and begin to step into something when you don’t have a clue of what the outcome will be.
Sometimes you have to make changes in your lifestyle and thought patterns in order to embrace the second opinion God has given you. However, being open to change often means being open to growth. Problems are rarely solved by doing the same thing you have been doing. When you look to God for the true diagnosis, know that He is going to require some action and possibly some major (but beneficial) changes on your part.
God is the Almighty Physician! He sees All and knows All so you can follow His direction and be assured that you are in good care.
Psalm 23 (New King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.
Sometimes you just have to walk on the water.
Do you hear God whispering something in your ear but it sounds so bizarre to you that you want to say it isn’t Him? A series of events has occurred, prompting you to make major changes but you are hesitant because of the risk involved.You worry if you will have the funds to sustain, or if you are physically and mentally up to the challenge. But even with all your doubt, there is a strong urge inside you to do that which seems impossible.
What would have happened if Peter (in the Bible) never walked on the water with Jesus? Perhaps he would have gone on living an average life, never understanding the authority he had in Christ Jesus. Would he have had such an effective and powerful life if he chose instead to stay safely and comfortably inside the boat?
Now is the time to put on your faith-life jacket, get out of the boat and meet Jesus out on the water. When you take that first step you will already begin to feel more confident. Once you have taken two steps you will start to realize what it is that you are doing, and once you take three steps you will know beyond a doubt that it is God. You will see that once again, He has led you to an oasis in the desert; He has Divinely connected you and provided for you as only He can. If for some reason you become afraid and start to sink, remember Jesus is there to catch you, just like he caught Peter.
Do you hear Him calling you, bidding you to come? Get your faith and let’s go!
Matthew 14:22-35 (New International Version)
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him.
Dear Lord, I am starting this day full of praise and thanksgiving for the powerful ways that you demonstrate your Love. You touch my life in every area and show me that You are concerned with every part. Your Faithfulness is unmatched; the way you keep Your Word causes my faith to increase.
I realize just how deceitful and distracting emotions can be. No matter what I am feeling, the Words You have spoken over me remain the same. No amount of discouragement, distress, sadness or fatigue can change the truth. I used to waste so much time crying and worrying about things in my life that I wanted to change. Now I know that while I may experience some bad days, they are only temporary. I need not fear because I know the promises You have spoken over me. If You spoke it, it shall be done!
It is wonderful to know that I can bring every situation to You in prayer. You always reassure me that everything is working together for my good. Learning to lean on You no matter what truly produces the “peace beyond understanding” that is written about in Your Word. I could not imagine going through life without You. Because of Your Love, I am determined to keep moving forward. Thank You for being the God Who cares!
1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Bible)
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Are you missing out on attaining the life God wants you to live? There is so much joy, peace, love, fun and success that God has for you, here in this life, if only you would receive it. The problem is, if you don’t believe that He does, you will probably miss it! Your faith and obedience positions you for the perfect will of God.
Sometimes we focus so much on how things have gone wrong that we forget the many times God has already proven Himself faithful. We dwell on the past and miss the good things that are just waiting for us to choose them today. However, if we choose to stay in broken, dysfunctional relationship patterns, how can we move forward into the loving relationships the Lord wants to connect us with? If we remain negative about our jobs, only focusing on the things we don’t like, how can we see the ideas and opportunities that are available to us to make it better?
How will you see God in your situation if you are so busy looking for the devil? Only God is Omnipresent, so expect Him to be present in your life, in every situation. Expect God to show up, expect to hear His voice and see Him move. When you look for Him, you will surely find Him and you will not miss out on what He is doing!
Deuteronomy 4:29 (New King James Version)
29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Just yesterday the Lord gave me that scripture and right now, I sit here overwhelmed, realizing how on time that word was. He said He wanted me to have faith not just for what the future holds, but to believe that He is making a way today. I believe God, but if I allow my mind to meddle in it for too long, I start to get back into that “comfortable” mentality that one day, it will all work together for my good.
But GOD said, not one day, NOW it springs up! He want us to understand that He has not left us in that dry place. He is right now, making a way in the desert of your situation and streams of life are bursting forth in your wasteland. I may be in what looks like a dry place but the streams have pierced through the surface tonight! Even as I said, “the Lord is opening up streams”, He said, “No, I am opening up Rivers!”
Stretch your faith with me. Witness how God transforms your life as we enter this season of harvest. What a mighty, awesome, powerful, loving God is He!
Lord we praise You and thank You for how you bring living water to our dry places. You bring us from a land of lack to a land of prosperity; from a place of mourning to a place of joy, from discouragement to hope, from loneliness to comfort. Bless Your Holy Name God! We love You!
Isaiah 41:18 (New International Version)
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
As we come to the close of the eighth month (the number eight signifies new beginnings), I am unusually restless and full of anticipation. Indeed the Lord has brought forth new things during this season and with those new things have come a time of transition. I am learning about the new relationships the Lord has connected me with, I am also learning about facets of myself that have been dormant and neglected until now.
This is such an exciting time that I can hardly sleep! In the past few weeks, especially since my visit to The River (NC), I have been hearing the Spirit say I need to enlarge the vision I have for myself right now.
It is easy to say “someday this, someday that,” but God wants us to increase our faith for TODAY. There are some big things He wants to do right now, if only we would believe that He can and He will. I believe our Father is tired of us limiting what He will do on our behalf.
So as I try to contain my excitement (or not), I am thanking God for everything He has spoken over our lives and thankful that He is the One watching over His Word to complete it. Thank You for the new beginnings Lord, thank You for preparing us for the harvest that is yet to come.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version)
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
God is always God. There is never a moment of any second that He takes a break from being Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. His ears are never too tired to listen to your prayers, His eyes are never too weary to watch over you and His hands are never too weak to lift you up.
Take a moment to think about how tired we may become from even the easiest task. We become burnt out from lack of sleep or because of too much activity and our bodies scream for rest. Sometimes these bodies break down and refuse to go any further when we neglect to give ourselves a break.
Imagine if this happened to God. What if He was too busy to take your phone call? What if He was too tired to be God during the very moment you really needed Him? What if He took His own Holiness for granted and decided to let all hell break loose?
Sometimes we question where God is in the midst of certain cirumstances that we do not understand. Yet the fact remains, God is still, and always God. Whatever it is that you are going through, He is there. He never tires of your voice or your tears. He is strong enough to hold you for the rest of your life and never grow weary. Put your trust in the God who is so consistent that He introduces Himself as “I AM.” He Is and Always Will Be.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Today I would like to challenge and encourage you to test the principle of expectation. I have learned that what I expect to happen in a situation is like a silent prayer that usually brings it to pass. Without a spirit of expectation, I miss out on what God is doing and I become a spectator within my own life!
I decided to believe Psalm 37:23 where it says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. I am good because of the blood of Jesus Christ, so I know that I can claim this particular promise. If my steps are ordered and planned by God, and His plans for me are good (Jeremiah 29:11), then I know that where He leads, there are also good things for me.
By expecting, you train your spiritual eyes to see those wonderful things. You don’t have to go through your day like it is just another day or just another grind. Throughout the week expect to see God and you will. His love will overtake you as you realize just how much He cares about the details of your life.
Start to look for God. Expect something good to happen. Expect that dark situation to brighten. Expect God to show up in the midnight hour and turn it around. He will.
Psalm 130:5 (Amplified Bible)
5I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope.
Psalm 42:11 (Amplified Bible)
11Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Proverbs 23:17-19 (Amplified Bible)
17Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long.
18For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
19Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord].
One day as Jesus was walking with the disciples, he became hungry, saw a fig tree and decided to have a snack. However, when He got to the tree, there were no figs on it. Jesus, who was both and God and man, seemed to get a bit annoyed with this tree that He created because it failed to give him fruit when He needed it. So he cursed the tree and said, (paraphrased) “may no one eat from you ever again”! (Mark 11)
I can just imagine His disgust with this tree that wasn’t doing what He wanted it to do in that moment. Even though the situation was not what Jesus desired, He still exercised His dominion and authority by telling that tree its services were no longer needed.
If you go back to Genesis 1, man was created in God’s image and given dominion over all the earth. So, in Jesus’ Name, through relationship with the Father God, we have the same authority that Jesus had to dictate to situations what they will and won’t do.
You can speak to any situation in your life right now and say that it will not break you, it will not cause you to lose sleep, it will not wreak havoc in your life. You can trust God to handle those situations and declare peace and clarity in the midst of seeming chaos.
Spend time with God in prayer. Make sure your heart is right before Him and believe that you will receive what you ask of Him.
Mark 11:22-25 (New International Version)
22“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
