Tag Archives: trust

When God qualifies you…

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A little over a year ago, I was driving home and I was thinking about a position at work that was going to be opening up soon. The position was for a Program Director in my division. This was a position I never aspired to and never pictured myself in. On my drive home that day, the Lord whispered to my heart that I was supposed to put in for the job. To say that I was absolutely terrified is an understatement! Lord, I can’t put in for that job! I’m not ready for this…and I’m not ready for that. Lord, I’m NOT qualified!! Over the course of the next month, the Lord worked on me in a powerful way. He reassured me that when I got this job, that He would be there with me…walking beside me every step of the way. He reminded me that although I in my own flesh was not qualified for this position, that He most certainly was. With Him guiding and directing me, I was sure to see a victory. He used that time before the position opened up to open my mind and soften my heart to His plan for the next steps on my path. 

By the time I was offered the position, my heart was willing and humbled that He would want to use me for such a large assignment. He had brought me through the forest of fear to the clearing of trust and faith. My flesh still didn’t like it…but I was ready. I’m your servant Lord, send me. 

The last year of my life has been my hardest yet. Thankfully no blood, but there has certainly been sweat and tears. I came in the position with a severe shortage of staff, an enormous learning curve, and people that were resentful that I got the job. The valley that I walked through was far and wide at times. Every time I would think oh well at least I have this or that person to help with that, the very thing or person that I thought I needed would leave or be taken away. As we lost other Directors within the program, the number of my employees doubled and I was now responsible for three field offices in addition to my two program areas. 

I’ve had no choice but to trust God through it all. To lean into Him harder than I ever had before and ask Him for daily provision. Provision for that big meeting or that hard conversation with an employee…physical and emotional strength to keep pushing through as hard as I have been…every step of every day. 

So why do I tell you all that? Because God PROVIDED! With everything I thought I needed but lost, He has provided. Every day I ask Him for my daily bread…wisdom, knowledge, discernment, strength, the words, the actions, direction, guidance. He’s never left me and He’s never forsaken me. A year later, I realize that I am qualified. I always was…because He has qualified me! 

I think about the story of David and Goliath. From human eyes, David was no match for Goliath, but He trusted God. 1 Samuel 17:37 says “And David said, The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” David prevailed over Goliath with a sling and a stone. It wasn’t David’s abilities or qualifications that gave him victory over the Philistine that day, it was God working in and through a willing vessel. In verse 45, David says to Goliath, “You came to me with a sword and a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel…”

Taking this position was a huge leap of faith for me, but it wasn’t for God. God knew exactly what He was doing. He knew that He could work in and through me even when my eyes could not imagine the possibility. Trust Him, my friends…trust Him. When He speaks to your heart, look past your own strength and your own abilities and remember that He is an infinite God and nothing is impossible for Him. If we are willing, He is able. When God qualifies you, you ARE qualified…

Standing on God’s Promises…

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I was recently promoted at work and I’m now in a supervisory role. I knew coming into this position, that there were going to be numerous challenges and issues to deal with right off the bat. I knew about the staffing shortages in each program, the HR challenges I’d be facing with the employees, the fact that I would now be directing a program area I haven’t worked in years, new employees that need training…the list literally goes on and on. I also know that God specifically called me to take this position. He encouraged me and opened doors every step of the way while I was making the decision to even apply for it. Now I’m here…and just as I expected going into it…I’m feeling completely surrounded!!  Surrounded by issues and challenges and enemies. I see my enemies all lined up in front of me…ready to attack. BUT…I know that the Lord is also there!! Every step along the way, God brings a certain scripture or a song or a word of encouragement to continue to light the path in front of me. Last week, He brought a Psalm. Psalm 23 took on a whole new level of meaning for me. 

Psalm 23: 

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

So…you’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death…so something really hard in your life right? Whatever that is for you – fill in the blank….illness….addiction….relationship problem….for me right now it’s work. The scripture says “You prepare a table before me” so God PROVIDES and not only that he blesses us…but don’t miss the word before! He prepares a table BEFORE me. God is not only walking beside me through these struggles…He goes before me. Now here comes the part that really hit me…IN THE PRESENCE of my enemies. How beautiful is this? God goes before me and prepares a table/provides/blesses me…in the presence of my enemies/problems/challenges. Even though I may feel completely surrounded and overwhelmed right now with all my enemies staring me down…God is going before me….he’s providing for me. The next part says He anoints my head with oil. So he’s preparing me, right!? Next…my cup overflows. So it says He’s leading me to GREEN pastures and STILL waters…He’s going BEFORE me…He’s PROVIDING for me…He’s PREPARING me…all in the very presence of all the problems that are surrounding me. Praise God…He makes my cup overflow with blessing!! That’s a promise from God I’m standing on!!! When I start to feel under attack and overwhelmed …I’m going to repeat this over and over if I have to. God is FAITHFUL and He CAN be trusted. His promises then stand true now still!! 

He WILL provide. Whatever you’re walking through…keep going!! SEEK Him through the struggle and ask Him to provide you with daily bread…whatever that is for you. His promises are true and amen!! 

Lord Jesus…It may LOOK like I’m surrounded…but I’m surrounded by YOU. 

The breakthrough is coming…

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This thing called life is a real struggle sometimes, isn’t it?! We go through seasons in our lives when things are going along great and we’re on top of the mountain and we go through seasons where we can feel like we’re wandering through the desert. I’m thankful for those mountain moments but I’m also thankful for those moments in the desert because they bring me back to Him. 

I don’t know if you’re like me or not but it’s sometimes easy to get caught up in the undertow of life…it can start to sweep you under. I believe there are times that our Heavenly Father allows us to feel overwhelmed. He wants us to need Him! He wants us to KNOW that we need Him. He wants us to ask for His help and rely completely on Him! I have this verse on my desktop right now: 

Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” 

This is such a good reminder for me and I hope it will be for you to on those days when you start to feel like you’re walking alone in the desert. He’s right there with you…but He’s waiting for you to ask for His help. He’s waiting for you to KNOW that you need Him. He’s waiting for you to literally raise your empty hands up to Him and say “Father, I can’t…but I know you can.” Jesus is not only our Savior…but also our Lord. He IS our Rock that is higher than we are. He is the one that we must cry out to when our hearts feel overwhelmed. He wants to help us…but He wants us to ask Him. He wants us to have enough faith to truly believe that He’s working it all out for us. He wants us to trust Him and completely surrender it all over to Him. 

Oh Father, I can’t…but I KNOW You can. My breakthrough is coming…

But it’s a long way down…

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Why is it that we find it so hard to surrender our lives to God? We say we have faith and trust Him, yet when it comes down to it we struggle with actually letting go and letting God be in control. Why? I think it’s fear. Fear of the unknown…fear of change…fear of getting out of our comfort zones. Ultimately, we are afraid of not being in control. We stand at the edge of the precipice and stare down, thinking only about how far down it is. I know it seems like a long way down, and in the flesh it is but there is no distance too far for the Creator. God will meet you where you are, but you have to trust Him. When God leads you to the metaphorical cliff, don’t just step off reluctantly…have a bold faith and jump! Each time I’ve “jumped”, I have found that the invisible safety net was right below me all the time. Don’t be afraid to make that move, take that job, talk to that person or make that decision…follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. You know when He’s been talking to you. Surrender your life to Him…let Him be in control and JUST BELIEVE and TRUST! 

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” 

Mark 5:36 “Jesus told him, Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 

Is it head or heart knowledge?

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Many of us have grown up in a family of believers, grew up going to church on Sundays, Sunday school, memorizing verses, religious observances, etc. Those are all good  things. BUT…it doesn’t mean you have a personal relationship with your Lord and Savior. Head knowledge does not equal heart knowledge. Wow! Let’s let that sink in for just a minute…head knowledge does not equal heart knowledge.

Having family that are Christians and going to church every week does not make YOU a Christian. Your faith must be personal to YOU.  This isn’t religion…this is a relationship. Think about your relationships with family members or close friends – how did your relationship with them grow? Your relationship with your mother did not grow from hearing about somebody else’s relationship with her. You grew your own relationship with her, day by day and conversation by conversation.  A real relationship is built over time as you learn and grow together. It’s not something you can learn without experiencing it yourself. 

The same is true with our Lord. It’s time to get to know Him. Talk to Him, learn more about Him by opening up your mind and heart to Him, invite Him into your everyday life, laugh with Him and cry with Him. Seek more than just your head knowledge. If you do, He will welcome you with arms wide open. He wants nothing more than to have a relationship with each of us. You will be changed just as I have been. Stop worrying about what your family and friends might think or say about you as you change and grow in your relationship with the Lord…the only one you should be worried about pleasing is God Himself. It’s time my friends, it’s time.

A hug from Jesus…

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This is an example of just how much God loves us…

My six year old daughter Kelsie watched a show with her older sister in which one of the characters on the show, a little girl, was kidnapped. She developed a strong fear from this and started having problems going to bed every night because she was scared. As a parent, naturally my heart broke wanting to be able to take the fear away from her. I prayed that the Lord would show me how to help my little girl. One night as I was thinking about Kelsie and how I wished Jesus was able to just reach down and wrap His arms around her every night to reassure her, the Lord brought to mind the thought of a blanket. After a bit of searching online I was able to find just the right one…it has a picture of Jesus with some little children. He is walking with them on a bright sunny day and they are safe and happy. Kelsie now wraps herself up each night in a hug from Jesus. 

Thank you Father for helping my little girl; I am so greatful. Thank you for the peace and comfort that she has each night now because of your answer to my prayers. Thank you that you are faithful and trustworthy in every situation. I love you Father. 

Let’s get personal…

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This is a topic that has been on my heart for a long time and I have been waiting on the Lord to give me the words, but now is the time.

I’m very saddened that there are people that are being deceived by the enemy in thinking that they are right with God, when really they are not.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

“I never knew you”…let’s reflect on this for a moment. Jesus is saying you did all these works but at the end of the day, I still didn’t have a relationship with you…I never KNEW you. How do you honestly know someone if you don’t have a first hand relationship with them?? All the works, good deeds, rituals, ceremonies and everything else still does not equal a first hand relationship with someone.  The people Jesus is referring to do not have a real relationship with Him, all they have is an empty religion.

Religion cannot take the place of relationship. We are able to have an actual personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Jesus bridged the gap between our Holy God and us sinners. The only way for us to know God and for God to know us is by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Believing in God, going to church every Sunday, and reading the Bible is not enough to secure your eternal rest in Heaven with the Father. The ONLY way to spend eternity with God the Father, is to accept, follow and have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I not only have faith in Him as my Savior, but I trust Him with every aspect of my life.  I love Him, I tell Him about my good days and my bad days, I ask for His help, I laugh with Him and I cry with Him. BUT…a relationship cannot be one sided. Here’s the really amazing part… even though I can’t see Him, He makes His presence very known in my life and shows me that He loves me too. He brings me peace and comfort in the bad days and joy in the good days, he answers my pleas for help, and reminds me of hope through the tears. To me He is a parent, a friend, a provider, a helper, a teacher…sometimes when I think of Him, I refer to Him as “my Jesus”… it’s personal to me…HE’S personal to me. In order to completely surrender your life over to someone and agree to follow them regardless of what you’re asked to do or go through, it HAS to be personal!

Do not be deceived by your religion – the only way to the Father is through the Son. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness – we must bring them directly to Jesus, our Redeemer.

Friends, if you are feeling that you are missing something from your “religion”- you’re feeling that way for a reason. You’re missing out on Jesus. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). If you are feeling like you are unfulfilled in your beliefs, your religion or your church…that’s because our Lord is seeking you and wants to save you. He is calling you to a personal relationship with Him…answer the call. Step out in faith, it’s time to get personal…

 

 

Sharing your hope…

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For those of us that know Jesus, we have hope because we know that we have a Lord and Savior that loves us, is looking out for us, that goes before us and with whom we will spend eternity with. Imagine what life is like for those people in the world that don’t have hope through Christ. They are lost, in despair, and looking for solutions to their problems in all the wrong places. Imagine a life with no hope…I honestly can’t anymore! I can’t imagine my life without Jesus in it and I don’t want to. So for those of us that know Jesus and know His hope…what are we doing to share that hope with others? What are we doing to share that hope with our hairstylist, with the barista at the coffee shop or with our co-workers?  In the words of the pastor at my church “WE are God’s plan A for sharing the Good News of Jesus…there is no plan B. We are the method He has chosen to spread that message of hope.” 

So my question to you is: how can you share the message of hope with others? You are part of God’s plan A too…

Thank you Jesus that I have an eternal hope through Your redemptive work on the cross. Thank you that I have hope walking through everyday life because you are walking right beside me. Lord, please guide me to the people that don’t yet know You, prepare their hearts, and give me the courage to boldly proclaim the hope that I have through Jesus. Amen.

God is with us…

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How do we know God is with us if we can’t see Him? Let me ask you this – can you see the wind? We can’t actually see the wind, however we can see and feel its effects. We feel it’s presence as the air brushes across our skin, and we see the rustling of the leaves on the trees, it’s with us and very real indeed. Just the same is God. Although we can’t see Him, the effects of Him  are all around us! We can see His creation in the mountains, the rays of sun streaming through the clouds and in the formation of a rainbow.  We can see the changes He makes in the people we know and feel it in our own hearts. He IS with us! Just think of the wind…

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. 

Freedom…

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The Lord spoke to me on my way home from church today and said the word FREEDOM. I knew what it meant…it was the answer to why I have been feeling such complete peace and joy since moving down to Arizona. Why freedom? Since putting my trust in Christ three years ago, I have been changed. I’m not the same person I once used to be, I truly am a new creation. I don’t act the way I used to act, I don’t think the way I used to think, and I don’t talk the way I used to talk. There are a few close friends that I was able to discuss the changes going on within me but to everyone else, they just saw the change of my outward appearance as I lost weight. They were completely oblivious to the changes going on inside…the changes that were transforming me as a result of following Christ. We lived in a small town back in North Dakota, the kind where everyone knows everyone. Although I was slowly coming out of my shell and getting to the point to where I was confident in my new identity that I was being able to let it shine through in some respects, there was still a lot of me that felt I needed to hold back from showing the real “new” me. I didn’t feel comfortable to completely reveal what I had become. I felt like I was somehow trapped within two different dimensions, and wanted badly to be able to break through and just fully live out the new me.

Since moving to Arizona, I have been able to just be me…the new me! No one here knows the old me or has any pre-conceived notions about my past. I get a completely fresh start. When I meet someone here, I don’t worry about offending someone by talking about my faith or saying something that might sound strange. I can raise my hands during worship in church and I don’t care who looks at me strange. I don’t feel like I’m being judged and quite frankly don’t care if I am. I have a confidence now that I’ve never had before and it’s growing stronger every day. I am finding who I am in Christ, and letting my true light shine.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Praise God!!! He is so amazing, words just can’t describe…