Archives For Following God

Add God For Endless Possibilities

June 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

faith_in_god_spiritual_math

No matter how you add it up zero added to zero equals nothing! However, add God to the equation and you get endless possibilities. You serve a God who is altogether above mathematical quandaries. He has always been able to blow the lid off the box of our limited human reasoning and capability.

Give God a few fish and some bread and He can feed over 5,000 people. Give God your empty wine vats and He can fill then with the best wine using only water. Give God a withered hand and He can heal it. Give God a storm and He can calm it. Give God a dry fishing spot and He will fill the boat with fish. Give God your impossible and He can make it possible.

You can’t control how God will answer your need, but you can be well assured He will answer in a way that brings Him the most glory. Just knowing that God will get the glory should be enough to reassure you that everything you are facing is going to be all right. It might not be the answer you want, but it will be in the end the answer you need.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed about the outcome of any particular situation that is uncomfortable in my life, I remind myself His glory will win out and if His glory wins, I win! God always acts with a view to His glory alone and everything is secondary. When God is put first, everything is going to be just fine.

In Assured, Astonished, Awareness, Believing, Confidence, Constant, Devotions, Doubt, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Following God, God, God's Glory, hope, Miracle, Sovereignty, Trusting, Waiting, Your Life , , , , , , , , ,
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Unbelief Was Crushed!

June 17, 2013 — Leave a comment

unbelief

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Now that’s my kind of prayer! It’s my kind of prayer, and I venture to bet it’s your kind of prayer from time to time also. It’s not a faithless prayer. It’s a prayer that is mixed with trust and yet a hint of despair.

Despair is often the unwanted guest of an ongoing crisis. Despair somehow slips into our temple and pokes around causing us to doubt things will ever change.  Such is the case of the man in Mark 9.

His son is a demon-possessed, and he brings his son to the disciples of Jesus for deliverance. His steps of faith toward the men of God have ended in complete failure.  The disciples are not able to help his son.

The voice of despair grows stronger in his heart. He thinks to himself, “What now?” Suddenly, Jesus takes center stage. Jesus asks a few questions, and the man asks Jesus to do something. “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” I love the response of Jesus, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believers.”

Then we see the broken beauty of the moment. A man of flesh and blood has faith and yet unbelief mixed in his heart, but Jesus answers his prayer anyway. With tears, the father cries out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” It’s a prayer that bottles the request to remove the despair and fill up what is lacking in his trust.

He has seen the failure of the disciples, and it has only increased his  sense of despair and now what faith he has left seems to be quickly draining away. However, whereas the disciple didn’t have enough faith to accomplish the request, Jesus has unlimited power.

Jesus helps his unbelief and the miracle happens. Sometimes the greatest faith move you can make is to give your unbelief to Him in faith! The cries of this man’s heart have resonated with many that fight the same battle across the sands of time. He prays for relief just as he is, a doubter that needs a touch from God. Never forget; you can do the same.

In 2013, Adversity, Anxious, Belonging, Conviction, Courage, Decisions, Devotions, Doubt, Emotions, Faithfulness, Fear, Following God, healing, hopeless, Kingdome Living, Miracle, No Faith, No Hope, Painful Times, Personal, Prayer, Sovereignty, suffering, Trusting, Unbelief, Worry, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Oh Look; The Other Side!

June 14, 2013 — Leave a comment

storm

Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Of course, He cares. But even better than that, He knows!

Jesus knew the storm was  coming when He commanded the disciples to cross over to the other side. He even knew the storm was upon them during His nap.

It’s kind of incredible when you think about it.

You know you’re in a storm when it’s all you can think about. It’s on your mind so heavy you toss and turn on your bed at night.

However, I want you to know that Jesus can be calmly trusted in the middle of trouble.

He knew they were destined for the other side, and He knows how to write your story also.

He knew they would arrive, and He knew they would arrive different men than when they launched out from the other side.

The kind of differences only a storm can bring.

It is not that Jesus is not around; He is there all the time.

You may not understand His timing or the way He chooses to answer but please understand Jesus is sovereign over all forces and that’s enough.

Jesus can calm the inward and outward storms of your life. He will get you to the other side.

Psalm 89:8-9 (NIV) 8 O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

In 2013, Adversity, advice, Anxious, Assured, Astonished, Awakening, Bad Day, Choice, Courage, Decisions, Devotions, Distractions, Doubt, Dryness, Emotions, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Following God, God Knows, Kingdome Living, Loneliness, No Faith, Ocean, overlooked, Painful Times, Peace, Personal, Sovereignty, Spiritual War, Worry, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Don’t Miss The Song Of Emptiness

June 12, 2013 — 1 Comment

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I’ve have found that the worst thing to do with emptiness is to try and run from it. If you run from emptiness, you will miss the song.

Emptiness that is not avoided, causes you to ask questions you would otherwise never ask. Emptiness is not the valley of death, but rather, the valley of teaching and even a valley of Joy.

I once read, “Emptiness itself can birth the fullness of grace because in the emptiness,  we have the opportunity to turn to God, the only begetter of grace, and there find all the fullness of joy.”

In my emptiness,  I’ve established I’m often to quick to look for human help before finding joy and peace with God first. When I was younger in my faith I often found myself asking for help from anyone who would listen, and then I would pray and ask God to bless what I had just asked for.

Older and more mature now, I now seek the joy in emptiness and then asking is nothing more than breathing out from a place of assurance- no matter the answer to come. When you stop running from emptiness you are one step closer to hearing a creative song.

Emptiness was the starting place of God in Genesis, and it’s still His creative starting place in your life now. Give your emptiness to God and watch as He speaks, “Let there be!” Emptiness is the place God begins to complete you. Emptiness is a place God begins to sing through you. This is how emptiness sings!

Genesis 1:2 (NKJV)
2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

In 2013, advice, Anxious, Assured, Believing, Confidence, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Devotions, Doubt, Emptiness, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Following God, God Knows, Kingdome Living, Miracle, Painful Times, Peace, Personal, Sovereignty, surrender, Trusting, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Sometimes All You Have To Do Is Listen

June 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

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There will be times that God causes you to notice people, and at other times He will simply lead someone right to you directly. I have had both of these happen in my life, almost on a daily basis.

Once, I was in a local store in California shopping with my family. My son Noah had to use the restroom. After we finished, we were on our way back to meet my wife and daughter, when I noticed a woman visibly upset. God touched my spirit and caused me to stop. I asked her, “What’s troubling you?” “Nothing,” she replied. I then said, “Are you sure?”

She responded by letting me know I would not want to hear it. I assured her, I would not have stopped if I didn’t want to hear it. She smiled and began to pour her heart out. She spoke to me for about five minutes about all that was going wrong for her. Her troubles were pressing in on her, and she felt alone and helpless. She was frustrated, angry and bitter about life.

I listened to every word she said, and I never broke eye contact. My son watching was just an added bonus because I knew he would ask me later why we stopped for a total stranger, and I would have the opportunity to pour into him compassion ministry. When the lady was finished speaking, I said, “You know, I bet the rest of your day is going to be just fine.”

She laughed and said, “I think you’re right. Thanks for taking the time to listen.” “You’re welcome,” I said and my son and I departed. I know it sounded effortless and not much like a miracle, but for her it meant everything. It was the miracle she needed for the day.

Wright, Steve (2012-03-18). The Descent To Compassion (pp. 48-49).  . Kindle Edition.

In 2013, Affirmation, Blessing, Book, Compassion, Conversations, Devotions, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Following God, Kindness, Kingdome Living, Listening, Missions, Opportunity, The Descent to Compassion, Time, Witness, Your Life , , , , , , , ,
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Observable And Working Love For Our Enemies

June 7, 2013 — Leave a comment

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God has no rival when it comes to His lavish kindness to the ungrateful and wicked. In our own power,  we are not capable of loving the way He loves. He is love. He is Kindness. We are but mere reflections that only get it right when we allow Him to love through us those that position themselves as unlovable, unreachable, ungrateful and wicked.

We can’t love our enemies without submitting to the Spirit of God that lives on the inside of us. Yes,  you will be hurt loving like God but remaining gracefully vulnerable after being burnt time and time again is a bi-product of God’s love through you.

We are called to observable and working love for our enemies. The love that Jesus wants to operate through our lives is not abstract. It’s not a concept hidden in the treasure chest of your mind as just another hopeful idea. His love demonstrates itself by radical counter-culture actions.

The supreme absolution of all is to convert an enemy into a friend of God through the God pattern of kingdom love. When you love like God you’re not losing your mind; you’re imitating His heart and causing God’s kingdom to break into the world.

Matthew 5: 43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

In 2013, Body of Christ, Compassion, Decisions, Devotions, Enemies, Faithfulness, Following God, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Kingdome Living, Love, Loving Enemies, Personal, Spiritual War, The Descent to Compassion, Witness, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Are You Faithful With A Dry Well?

June 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

dry-well

A dry well never worries God; a dry well only worries us. Looking into the well of life and finding it dry is a scary scenario; especially if the well has been flowing unhindered for quite awhile.  It’s in times of abundant flow we say things like, “God is good; God is faithful, and God is the provider!” However, when the well starts to become dry, there is a tendency to allow our faith to become dry along with it.

I’m convinced that one of the secrets to trusting God is being faithful with dryness the same way we are faithful with abundance. God requires faithfulness from us no matter the amount given or allowed into our lives. Adversity is the most amazing place  to see God demonstrate His faithfulness. He will always give you what you need to survive.

He is the God that will sustain you for His glory. Circumstances have no disturbance on God who is the master over all circumstances. Don’t panic and look for shortcuts when your well is running dry.  Look instead to the gift of faith God is trying to birth into your life to grow you into a disciple for His glory. Don’t allow the call of panic to grip your soul causing you to move into part-time loyalty to God.

Charles Swindoll once said, “From the tiny birds of the air and from the fragile lilies of the field, we learn the same truth…God takes care of His own…. At just the right moment, He steps in and proves Himself as our faithful heavenly Father.”

Don’t look at the dry well! Look to God who is the well that never runs dry. I want you to understand today that when you wholly yield to God, you are yielding to the answer for dryness. We are not called to prove the faithfulness of God; we are only God to demonstrate our own faithfulness in knowing that His inevitable supply will come.

Psalm 36:5 (NKJV)Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

In 2013, Adversity, Assured, Awakening, Awareness, Believing, Charles Swindoll, Confidence, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Devotions, Dryness, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fear, Feeling, Following God, God, God Knows, hope, Kingdome Living, Painful Times, Personal, Psalms, Sovereignty, Trusting, Waiting, Worry, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Your Thoughts-Temple or Idol?

June 3, 2013 — 2 Comments

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The primary key to operating an automobile is being in control of the vehicle and not vice versa. Can you imagine letting go of the wheel and letting the car take you where it wants to go? If the car is aligned correctly, you might make it a few hundred feet before running off the road and crashing. However,  the crash would surely happen unless you regained control by taking hold of the wheel again.

Thoughts have the same potential. You can control them and have a great adventure of faith or you can let go of the “Wheel,” and let them take you where they want to go. You might cruise unharmed for a few hundred feet, but sooner of later you are going to crash unless you regain control of your thoughts for God’s purpose.

Your thoughts can be a temple of worship for God, or your thoughts can be an idol of destruction that leads you astray and off course. The choice is your choice to make. Each of us needs to take control of our thoughts, giving them over to God along with everything else in our lives.

We are commanded in scripture to bring every thought into obedience to Christ Jesus. (2 Cor 5:10) Every thought means every thought. We are called to bring the good, bad and the ugly thoughts to the feet of Jesus and filter them there.

Believe it or not, you have exceptional control over what you do with your thoughts. Thoughts coming into your mind are often fast and furious, but they are never non-controllable. When a thought comes to you, a choice has to be made and can be made.

I challenge you today. Take inventory of your thought life today. It will tell you much about yourself. Ask God to make you more awake to what’s on your mind. Ask God to help move you in Godly directions with your thought life.  I promise you that if you fill your mind with good thoughts, the bad will soon dilute and lose power of influence in your life.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

In 2013, Awakening, Believing, Decisions, Devotions, Distractions, Faithfulness, Following God, Inventory, Kingdome Living, Obey, Spiritual War, Thoughts , , , , , , , , ,
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Gone Fishin’

May 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

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Thanks for dropping by my blog where I post 3 to 5 times a week. Please enjoy looking through the archives. I’ve gone Fishin’

Look for a new post on June 3rd, 2013. I’m taking some time with some good friends and hope to take friendships deeper and enjoy God’s creation at the same time. Thank you for your love, and thanks also for sharing with others the writings of my heart.

Peace,

Pastor Steve

 

 

In 2013, Brothers, Contentment, Devotions, Family, Fishing, Following God, Goodness, Living, Ocean, Personal, Rest, Time Off, Travel, Vacation, Your Life , , , , , , ,
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Let’s Go Awaken The Dead

May 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

earth

Authentic worship shapes the Christ follower into God’s image. Whereas; counterfeit worship run the extreme risk of shaping God into our preferred image.  We are called to live authentic lives of worship that is free from the smell of the counterfeit worship of religious array.  For His glory; for our good, and the hope of others, we must live authentic lives of worship before the world.

It’s easy to have a form of godliness; but a form of godliness will never awaken the world from its zombie like apathy.  Authentic lives of worship shows  the image of God in a world that desperately wants their own way instead of wanting and embracing what they truly need.  As Christ followers, we are called to awaken the dead by living and giving them the true life of Christ.

We awaken the dead when we turn the other cheek. We awaken the dead when we move beyond being regularly offended at everything the world does and simply reflex God regardless. We awaken the dead when we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, give water to the thirsty, love the unlovable, visit the sick, take in the stranger, and go to them which are in prison.

We are called to help people see God. However, in order for us to help people see God we must not live lives that show  the idolatry of shaping God into our own images. There must be a daily death of self and a daily obeying of entering the harvest field of the walking dead.

Humanity that has long suffered in darkness calls to us to be awakened. Light has come into the world by Jesus Christ and His light is the only light that defeats darkness and awakens the sinner.  We must show them Jesus and not our religious routes. Jesus is the only way. We must show them Him. In John 14:9 Jesus proclaimed the amazing by saying, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Let’s show them the Father! Let’s awaken the world from their sleep! Let’s show them the redeemer and lover of their souls. It’s our call; it’s our duty; it’s our grand privilege, and it can’t be done with religion.

The awakening can only happen when we start showing the world the true Jesus that is beyond the religious version that idolatry tries to shape. There is an echo from the future calling to us, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Let’s answer that call!

Let’s go awaken the dead!

In 2013, advice, Awakening, Body of Christ, Compassion, Devotions, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Following God, God, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Kingdome Living, Living, Love, Mercy, Obey, Personal, Salvation, Witness, Your Life , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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