Is it time to take a step of faith?

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)  

My beloved daughter, it is time for you to arise and take your stance in the light of my Son. I, your heavenly Father, am calling you out of darkness. Arise from your affliction for my power within you is greater than your despondency. Healing, restoration, and freedom await but you must have faith. I beckon you to arise to the new things I seek to do within, for, and through you.    

Cleary, you do not perceive that your prison sentence, inner turmoil and suffering, is over. I, the Lord, have removed the chains that bound you. Your shackles are loose, and your prison doors are open. In your darkness, I heard your weeping and now I offer you my joy. Freedom and new life awaits but you must choose to come out of captivity. My precious one, it is time for you to step forward and partake in the new things I set before you. 

Stop mulling over old wounds, hurts, and grudges. Abandon victimization, self-pity, and the lies of the enemy. He has stolen from you long enough. I will not tolerate it any longer! You are my child, a daughter of the King. I want you to fight and recapture that which he has stolen. Reclaim your life, family, joy, and peace. Reclaim the freedom to live for me, the One who brings you out of darkness and into the Light.

With your head held high, step forward into the higher ground I bequeath unto you. I have wonderful plans to use you in unimaginable ways, if you are willing to abandon your poverty-ridden condition. You are an heir to the King of kings. I seek to robe you with a garment of honor and virtue, to crown you with beauty and joy as you arise from the ashes.   

Awake! Your liberty bell is ringing. Do you not hear it? My Light is shining upon you. Do you not see it? My power is within you. Do you not sense it? The enemy has no claim on you any longer. My beloved Son paid a great price for your release. You are mine! Grab hold, claim, and embrace your new life and freedom in Christ. My Word says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)   

At times it may seem scary, but do not fear for I am with you. You may try to retreat back to your old familiar grounds, but this is unwise. You will have questions and doubt, but remember morning, noon, and night I am with you. Talk to me as we breathe, live, and work together. Let us walk closely together in the new plan, life, and future I have prepared for you. Arise my daughter…step out in faith…abiding, leaning, and trusting in Me daily. Love, Your Heavenly Father            

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)    

Question: How does this prayer resonate with you?

It can be hard to hear God in the busyness of life. Take today’s lesson to hear how to listen better.  

“And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12b)

There’s a moment just before the performance begins where the lights go down and the symphony tunes.  It’s a strange, cacophonous sound, nothing at all like the music that will start a few minutes later.  I love that sound.  It sounds like anticipation.  It’s a sound that tells you that something wonderful is about to happen.

Tuning is not a warning bell; it’s an alignment.  One musician plays a single note, always the same note, and each of the instruments joins in.  They play, they listen, and they adjust and play again.  They keep going until all the sounds blend together, until there are united and aligned, in tune.

I love the line in the old hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” that says, “tune my heart”. I want that.  I want my heart to sound like God’s.  Did you know that if you put two grand pianos in a room and play a note on one of them the corresponding string in the other piano will start to vibrate? I want the note God is playing to resonate in my heart.

In 1 Kings, God tells Elijah to go and stand on a mountain where He will pass by.  There is wind and fire, even an earthquake, but God is not in the wind or the fire or the earthquake.  God comes in a gentle whisper.  I need to be still and hear that whisper; I need to tune my heart to it.

I cannot do the things God has planned for me if my heart is out of tune. No matter how carefully I try to serve God, if my heart is out of tune it’s all just garbage. I think it’s so interesting that even professional musicians have to tune and they tune every single time they play.  I want my life to be like that, to begin every day by listening for the voice of God and moving my heart – dragging it along sometimes – until my heart, my attitude sounds like God’s.  I want to go through my days in tune with Him.

Father,

As the hymn says, “Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace”. Teach me to stop and listen for your whisper.   Keep me still until the song of my heart sounds like You.  Mold me so that when people hear my words and see my actions they think of You.  Thank you for being patient with me.  Tune my heart. I’m listening.  Amen.

Question: When is it hard to hear God? Where do you find it easiest to hear His gentle whisper?

Get to know God better with today’s lesson on His character.  

“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34:6)

In Exodus 34:6 we see the words that God used when describing Himself to Moses. Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness – is that how you think of God? Or do you think of God as a distant Father who simply exists to judge us for our sins?

We know that God loves us, we’ve heard that all of our lives. But I wonder if we fully understand the character of God and His ability to give us all that we have ever wanted or needed?

One of the phrases in this verse that speaks to me the most is when God refers to Himself as being “slow to anger.” I’ve got to say that I am not always slow to anger. In fact, I can go from zero to hysterical in a matter of seconds. Even with the people I love the most, I can become angry and frustrated quickly if I do not seek God in all situations.

I think that so often we assume that God reacts the same way that we do. When we do something that is disappointing to God, we are afraid that He will become angry or upset with our behavior. While I do believe that God’s heart breaks when we sin, I also know that He is faithful. If He says that He is slow to anger, He means it.

He didn’t put conditions on His responses.  He didn’t say, “I am slow to anger unless you do something really bad” or “I will be compassionate and gracious if you read the Bible at least once a day.” God is not merely describing his reactions, He’s describing his character. It is His nature to be loving, faithful, forgiving, and gracious to us and we don’t even deserve a glance from Him. He is in love with us and wants to show us His amazing love and compassion. However, in order for Him to do that, we must be willing to run after Him with all of our hearts.

Don’t think of God as a distant Father that stands in Heaven waiting to judge you. Instead, realize that He is the father who stands in Heaving loving you and ready to bring you peace. He is the Savior who came to save your life and offer you more compassion and grace that you could ever imagine. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.

As you go through your day today, ask God to reveal His character to you. Ask Him to remind you that He is faithful and true in a world that is anything but. Pursue Him each and every day and know that in return, He will be pursuing you.

Father, Thank you that You do not react the way that I do. Thank you for grace, for mercy for peace and for love.  Help me to live as someone who truly believes that You are who You say You are. Amen

Questions: How do you see God? Do you see him as gracious and slow to anger? Ask Him to reveal His true character to you today.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-4, ESV)

Abraham Lincoln said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” What is our responsibility as Christians? If we believe God is truly in control and it is better to yield our will to His, then we are to put our tomorrow and our today into His all-wise, all-knowing and loving hands. But, does that mean we should not plan for the future?

It is easy to slip into a carpe diem (live for today) attitude and lift our eyes heavenward saying, “God takes care of the lilies of the field, He will care of me.” There is great truth in that. Before that passage in Matthew 6 it says to not be anxious about anything in our lives. But, it ends with seeking His kingdom above all else. In other words, we are to actively seek, take action, and do our part.

I was watching the Christian movie Facing the Giants. A faith-filled man would go by the halls of this school every day and pray as he ran his hands along the lockers of the students. He told the coach he was plowing the field for these students’ future, praying that they would all come to know Jesus as their Lord. There were two farmers, he explained, who prayed for rain. But only one plowed the field in preparation for the rain to come. That was the farmer with more faith.

How can we prepare our fields in prayer? God may not always give us what we want, but He will always provide what we need. Our responsibility is to believe He will act. We need to PLOW:

P – Pray – through prayer we put it all back into God’s hands

L – Listen for His response. Too many times we turn our prayers into one-sided conversations. We hang up before we allow God to speak.

O – Observe the small ways He taps on you on the shoulder to remind you that He loves you, knows you needs and is working in your situation.

W ? Wait upon the Lord and do not give up hope.

The bridesmaids who prepared their lamps for the bridegroom were considered wise. They didn’t know when he was coming, but they knew that he would come. They stayed prepared. They knew their responsibility. It was the same one John the Baptizer called out- prepare ye the way of the Lord.

Heavenly Father, teach me how to rely on You but show me what I must do to prepare for the blessings You will bestow on me. In all things, good or bad, help me to give You the glory, to do my best at what is my responsibility to do right now, and to trust without reservation that You have plans to bring the rains in due season to bless my field. Help me plow in preparation with confidence. Through Jesus’ name – Amen.

Question: Are you willing to plow for as long as it takes to prepare for what blessing God will bring into your life?

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24:31-32)

“Then He [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

Luke paints a beautiful picture of the power of God opening people’s eyes. In this chapter the disciples realize Jesus rose from the dead and grasp the truth He was indeed the Messiah. The two disciples who walked the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus. Though the disciples studied the Scriptures they didn’t understand the Messiah had to suffer and die.

Though Jesus said they were slow of heart to believe, He didn’t leave them in their ignorance. Instead He opened their eyes, opened their minds, and opened the Scriptures so they could understand. Because our sinful nature blinds us from the truth, we need God to open our eyes too. We can’t understand Scripture without God’s Holy Spirit opening our minds and showing us what it means.

Luke tells another story of opening in the book of Acts. “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” (Acts 16:14)

Even the initial act of believing, cannot be accomplished without God. We need Him to open our hearts to the good news.

Thank you God that You still open hearts. Open the hearts of those around me who don’t know You. Please open my eyes to see You at work in and around my life. Open my mind so that I can understand the Scriptures. Make the Living Word come alive through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Questions: How has God opened your eyes? How has He opened your mind?

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

We all need two kinds of peace in our lives. We need inner peace with God but we also need peace with others. God addresses both. He tells us what to do to find that peace.

Inner peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit and our thankfulness and faith impacts it.  It’s a choice to focus our mind on Jesus and all He is. Peace is the natural result of that choice.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is focused on You because He trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Inner peace hinges on my trust in God. Inner peace is there for the choosing.

The second kind of peace, peace with others, starts with the understanding that God has called us to be peacemakers in our world.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Notice that the call is to be “peacemakers” and not simply “peacekeepers”?

Sometimes “peacekeepers” will do anything just to keep peace. That is not what God is asking of us. He is calling us to be “peacemakers”.

Is there somewhere in your own world where you can help make peace?
Is there an invitation that needs to be extended to smooth over a fractured family relationship?
Is there an apology to be made or a silence to be broken that has stood as a barrier for too long?
Is there an issue that needs to be addressed with loving-kindness?
Is there a boundary that needs to be extended to help make a relationship healthy?

Don’t miss the blessing God promises in your life as you respond to His call to be a peacemaker in your own circle.

We can help bring peace to our world one heart at a time.

Prayer of action:

Lord,

“Make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
and Where there is sadness, joy…
Divine Master;
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen”

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Question: Take a look at the questions above. How is God calling you to be a peacemaker?

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

This past week I met with some friends to study the Bible at a local restaurant in town.  We sat off in the corner talking and sharing what we were learning from God’s Word. We were oblivious to the people around us until a couple of women stepped up to our table to say that they had been listening to our conversation.  They were encouraged and intrigued by the things they had heard and wished they could be part of a Bible study like ours.

After they left, the three of us looked at each other stunned!  We had no idea there was anyone close enough to hear us, much less listen to what we were saying.  Over the years, I have had other moments like this where a neighbor, co-worker or bystander has said much the same thing, “I’m watching you”.

It’s kind of scary to think that someone is watching you – watching how you react in a difficult situation, watching how quick you are to forgive or hold a grudge.

I don’t know about you but I often wonder why anyone would want to watch me.  I’m not a highly significant person. I’m not famous, and I don’t have any amazing gifts or abilities that would single me out.  But there is one thing that draws the attention of others and that is my claim to be a Jesus follower.  I have taken a stand for Jesus and people are watching and judging to see if my actions and attitudes match my words. Whether I like it or not people are watching!

Do you realize that people are watching you too?

Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

Following God and seeking His wisdom causes us to shine like stars in the sky. Just as a moth is drawn to the light, those watching us are drawn to the LIGHT of Jesus Christ.

We are the people of God
The sons and daughters of love
Forgiven, restored and redeemed
Living our lives to the praise of the King
We are the ones who will shine
His light in the darkness
The hopeless, the broken, the poor
They will be hopeless no more

We shine like stars in the universe
Proclaiming the hope of our God
And to the sons and daughters in all the earth
We shine You, Lord

                                                                                                                            ~ You are the Light by Steve Fee

Father, In those moments when I don’t feel very holy, remind me that Your spirit is in me to make me more like You.  When others watch me may they see someone who is deeply in love with You. Amen

Question: How can you shine the light of Christ in your world today?

Do you need some encouragement today? Come talk to a mentor.

“When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9:26-27)    

Shortly after Saul’s conversion, he traveled to Jerusalem hoping to join the other disciples. However, they were fearful and doubtful of Saul’s sincerity because of his former persecution against the church. Fortunately, Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement”, accepted and brought Saul (later called Paul) to the apostles regardless of their apprehension. Barnabas recognized Saul’s sincerity and was able to encourage the others that their former enemy was now on their side as a true believer. As a result, Saul was able to remain in Jerusalem, join the other apostles, and speak boldly in the name of the Lord.          

Not only did Barnabas play a vital role in the apostle’s lives, he touched the hearts of many other early Christians as well. He spent a whole year with Saul in Antioch encouraging, teaching, and witnessing to the ever-increasing number of new believers (Acts 11:22-26). Barnabas spent time with new members of God’s family offering them hope and encouragement.    

At some point in time, whether a seasoned believer, a newbie Christian, or starting afresh in a brand-new church, you will face times of discouragement. Fortunately, through God’s Word, indwelling Spirit, prayer and fellowship with other believers, comfort, support, and encouragement awaits you. To have a “Barnabas” as a friend would be advantageous. In fact, God has bestowed the gift of encouragement (Romans 12:6, 8) upon particular Christians to fill this particular need in the body of Christ.

If you are discouraged, do not allow feelings of loneliness keep you from reaching out. Pray to God who knows all and be brave to reach out to others. In Hebrews 10:24-25 it is written, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The enemy wants to see you remain captive. However, God wants to encourage, strengthen, and lift you out of the mud. He wants to set you free from the spirit of discouragement so you can carry out His good deeds.    

If you are one of God’s encouragers, a Barnabas, may you be aware and attentive to those who God may bring your way during these upcoming weeks. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within you, may you spur, enlighten, and stir up hope to those whom are in need of encouragement.  

Father God, May we purposely set out to serve, help, and encourage one another. May we not look out for our own interest but to all whom are hurting, especially those in the body of Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen   

Questions: Are you or someone you know experiencing a difficult time? How does Christ encourage you? How can you encourage someone in your life?

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)

I remember a time when I was so paralyzed by fear I’d lay awake at night with thoughts of anxiety and loneliness. I had lost the ability to look at anything through a positive lens. I longed to be near the Lord, but I did not know how to reach Him.

How could I possibly be contented with my present circumstances? How could God tell me He would never let me down? How could He say that He will not in any degree leave me helpless or without support? My husband had left me, and so had all my friends. I was no longer able to work due to anxiety and depression and had extreme social phobia.

However, God does not lie. His words in Matthew11:28 were about to be demonstrated to me in a powerful way: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

As I cried out to the Lord, asking Jesus for relief from my pain, He gave me an invitation to enter His rest by giving Him my anguish in exchange for a personal relationship with Him. He showed me that I could not come to Him with my hands filled with my own burdens and cares and attempt to receive from Him His goodness and rest.  I had to empty my hands of all the worry first.

I realized that I did not need to worry and fear. Jesus cares about me and I have nothing to fear with His tender and all sufficient care of me.  As it says is John 10, He is my Shepherd.  “I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me– Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father–and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, AMP)

I began to consciously give Jesus my worries each time I found myself anxiously fretting over something. Each time I found myself worried and frightened, I refocused my mind on a favorite verse. I meditated on the verse or spoke it aloud, or both. After several weeks I began to feel significant relief from my anxiety.  Within months the Lord had surpassed all expectations that I had had of Him! I discovered anticipation for the mornings and my time with the Lord.

Truly, my Shepherd has shown me that He has given His life for me, and His blood has paid the penalty for my wrongs past, present, and future.

I can come before Him in boldness, knowing that I need not fear punishment. I can joyfully celebrate that I am forgiven and victorious – righteous because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross for me. I do not have to live in fear, trying to measure up to an impossible standard of perfection. I can dwell in the safety of God’s loving arms, letting His righteousness and perfect love soak into me. I know that He is at work to transform me into His image and likeness as I glory in the truth that I am unconditionally loved and accepted! Amen!

Father, Quiet my heart before You that I might hear You when you speak. Amen

Question: Do you have difficulty coming before Your Heavenly Father? How can the words of Scripture help to ease your fears? Which verses bring you peace and teach you that Jesus loves you and accepts you unconditionally?

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”  (John 16:13a)

In my house growing up, “getting it right” was important. We were encouraged to stand up, help, act, even if you were afraid, tired, hungry, or cold.  Growing up I developed a strong super ego, as Freud would say.  When I was with friends or family, I continue to fight that super ego to show compassion instead of judgment in difficult life situations.

Recently I was talking with my sister and our emotions starting getting the best of us. I wasn’t sure what the “right” response was, and I said a quick silent prayer for God’s intervention.  God gave me a gentle answer to share, which took her off the attack and me off the defense.  With those soft words, we were able to come to an agreement.

I did it the “God way”, not the “right way” according to our family’s inherent code of ethics.  This outcome brought peace to her and to me instead of the tension and anger that often prevails in a fight.  I came out of that potentially World War III battle unscathed, thanking God for his wisdom and direction.  His guidance lead me to a new behavior that I would never have found on my own.

I thank God for the times I’m wise enough to open myself to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The Spirit has made my family something it could never be left on its own.  I’ve learned to be supportive and helpful and forgiving in ways I’d have never imagined possible, just by listening to that still small voice in the midst of tension and frustration.

Father, When emotions run high remind me that You are the God of Peace. Help me to be quick to come to You and swift to give Your peace to others.  Amen

Questions: How are you doing? Are you doing things your way or God’s way?