As many of you know, the Students and I are going through “Experiencing God” – the student version. It has been quite amazing. This week is on Crisis of Belief. Decisions. Revealing of your belief. Trusting. Leap of Faith. True faith that requires action. God size action. The study on day 4 said,
“When God reveals what He has purposed to do, you face a crisis – a decision time. Your response will reveal what you really believe about God.”
This is where we realize that actions do truly speak louder than words!
Gideon
Gideon has been in almost everything I have read and studied this week. This is not a coincidence. The daily reading plan that the church is doing together is in Judges. Our Bible study references Gideon this week. God told Gideon to go and fight this huge Midianite army with only 300 of his men. Now if you are familiar with this story, you know that Gideon originally had more men than this and through a process (if you haven’t read it lately, go read it), God worked it out for him to only have 300 to go to battle. This was the moment of truth. The moment of trusting and being obedient. Really trusting, not kinda trusting. He could have tucked tail and run or he could be obedient to God and march on to battle. Believing that God is always with us and that He will provide!! There is Jonah, Moses, Abraham, Joshua, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, David, and the list goes on. Examples of Believing that God will with us and He will provide. News flash, running away from God never ends well. Ask Jonah. Ha! I often reference Jonah when I explain how God led my family to the coast of NC and plopped me right in ministry. Scared, tempted to run, believing lies from Satan that I could not do it, the best of excuses running through my mind until I just filled out the application and took the leap of faith. You see, obedience in God size plans sometimes takes a hot minute to digest. Why, oh, why can’t we just go for it?! Life is so much better and we eat a lot less Tums when we just submit to the most awesome authority ever!!! March on!!!
God’s Timing
So, who is it that needed to read this? I know it certainly has not all just been a reminder for me this week. I mean, I did need it for sure and I hope you did too!! Who needs the reminder today that God has a plan and He is already at work and He is asking us to join Him in what He is doing?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
This may look very different for all of us, but He is at work and He has a job just for you to join Him to do! Please take off the blinders and be obedient. Be still and hear Him. You will be blessed. Put Faith to action. Let your actions SHOW what you really BELIEVE. Do you trust Him? Do you believe that whatever He is asking you to join Him in, He will provide ALL that you need? Do you truly believe that He will never leave you alone? Missions? Adoption? Ministry Outreach? Foster Care? Teaching? Mentoring? What is it for you? Are you listening to Him? Are you trusting Him? Do you really believe that if you take the step that He will provide every single thing that you need? Do you believe that? I mean really believe it? Do your actions show that you believe it? This is between you and Him……… I encourage you to listen and act. You may not know it right now, but God’s timing is perfect. Meet with Him daily so that you know when it is time. Do not miss the opportunity to hear Him say “come on, it’s time”.
I cannot tell you how thankful I am that we serve and love and follow such an awesome God. He is so patient and so understanding and such a good Daddy. The comfort He brings is a peace like no other. Do you know that peace? Do you know this Daddy I speak of? Do you realize that you have a comforter that is willing to help you through trials and celebrations? If you do not, please contact me privately so we can meet for coffee and talk. The relationship with Jesus is free to all who will accept it. Won’t you accept Him today if you have not already? None of us know when our time on this earth is over, so don’t keep waiting. The next step in a relationship with Christ is up to you.
Cling To Him
I am turning in now as we have a concert and a lock-in this weekend (in just a few hours actually), so I should get some sleep. I do want to leave you with this thought………no matter what season of life you are in right now (good or bad), you are not alone. Cling to the one and only in every celebration and in every trial. CLING to HIM! In your parenting, in your marriage, in your job, in upcoming decisions, in your relationships, CLING TO HIM. If you have no idea what that looks like, then reach out for someone to help you. Read in His Word and ask Him to show you. He is The Way, and The Truth, and The Life.
Thank you all for your encouragement – you all are so very kind and I am grateful for you! ‘Til next time…
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