Tag: faith

Posted on by — Leave a comment

When Simple Obedience Doesn’t Feel Purposeful

As I began to search the scriptures I saw how important not only hospitality is, but simple obedience. We often hear about the stories about miraculous healings and a lame man’s friends ripping off a roof to get to Jesus. But, what about day to day obedience? Does this really make a difference too? We are in a day in and age where there is a lot to be seen, which can make us question if what we are doing is truly important in retrospect to the kingdom of God. You know, changing the endless amount of diapers, being extra friendly to the cashier that seems to be a little moody, leaving a gift to your postal worker, and loving those who seem to hate you. Will these seemingly “little tasks” end up to be important to God?

“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?” So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’  He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” -Mark 14:12-16

I would like to challenge you to see that Jesus spoke two things that could be easily overlooked in today’s society…A man brought a jar of water to the city to meet the disciples and the owner of the house had an upper room readily available for them to use.

Simple Obedience.

I wonder what would have happened if either of them overlooked what God had asked them to do. Would there have been a last supper if the man thought it was silly to go to town with the jar of water? What if the man of the home did not feel like having guests? Would he have missed the Messiah?

Because of likes, follows, and social media platforms, comparison often creeps in to whisper the lie that day to day life is pointless. How could cleaning up crayons off the wall for the 3rd time this week possibly bring people closer to God? Instead, Holy Spirit see’s you raising up the next generation of an artist who likes to color outside the lines. We question, how could this conversation help this man who is homeless? Yet, the conversation you had with him birthed new hope to live another day.

Life often give us ‘take this jar of water to the city’ moments. I have come to find that there is such a great reward of intimacy with Abba through these tasks that aren’t glamorized and often overlooked. The next time the enemy whispers the “pointlessness” of where God has you, look back at the man with the jar of water who ushered in Jesus and the disciples to the last supper and remember the room the homeowner had prepared for them. Where God has you and what He asked you to do may seem simple, but in His eye’s it is of great importance. Let our heart beat for days of simple obedience. Let us yearn to not overlook the simple tasks that make an eternal difference.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Results Of Obedience (It’s Not Always What You Expect)

The Holy Spirit told me to go get an oil change today. So, I went to 3 different places. One didn’t have the filters, one wanted double the normal cost, and another had no oil! I wondered why He told me to do something if I was unable.


Holy Spirit’s response was:
“It wasn’t the result that I wanted or expected, but you still walked in obedience to what I have called you to do.”


So often God asks us to do something and we expect things to go a certain way and even look a particular way. So, when it does not, we question, “Did I hear God correctly?”. We question if we fully obeyed because our own expectations were not met. Did we miss a step?


In reality, we did exactly as He asked. There is a reward for this, even if we do not see it in the here and now. We can trust that if God asked us, there is reason for it because His will is perfect, even if it’s not the result we expected. Our obedience really is not about the results, it is about trusting in Him.

Scripture:

  • The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” -John 14:21 CSB
  • The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,  making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward. -Psalm 19:7-11 CSB
Posted on by — Leave a comment

God’s Purpose Of Good Works

As I have been leaning into the Father’s presence, he has been talking to me about good works and their purpose. Every single one of us has a purpose and our purposes’ are intertwined to be apart of God’s love story to humanity. As the Body of Christ, the works that the Holy Spirit invites us to be apart of come together and build off one another. Unfortunately, much of the time when we hear of good works being talked about, it is attached to statements like: “we are justified by faith, not works” or “good works will never get you into heaven”. I can agree with both of those statements! Even though religion has twisted the purpose of good works, we must not overlook the purpose God has for them.

What are good works? Let us start with what they are not. Good works are not something we do to earn God’s love. This is simply unbiblical and an echo of religious structures that need to be uprooted. However, because God loves us and we love Him, good works are a byproduct of this faith and love. Paul put’s it this way,

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.” -James 2:18 CSB

Out of our personal relationship with God, our hearts desire should be to share the same love, grace, and mercy we have received. When you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, you cannot help but want to share the same. A love that fills every void, healing of ‘incurable’ diseases, a father who desires to spend time with you, who listens to you day and night-He is everything we and the rest of this broken world needs. Of course we want to share the Gospel! It is GOOD NEWS for ALL! Good works are a byproduct of your relationship with God. As you intentionally grow closer to Him, you understand that there needs to be a light in the darkness! The person that God has chosen for this task is you!

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:15-16 CSB

Did you catch that? YOU are the LIGHT of the WORLD and the GOOD WORKS God has called you to do will bring him GLORY! That phrase ‘give glory’ actually means that ‘they should glorify’ God. When we break that down further, this is the Hebrew word doksázō. Doksázō means to value God for who He really is or to personally ascribe God in his true character or essence.

As the light of the world, the good works produced out of you display God for who He is! As Matthew 5 says, you are not meant to be hidden. This world needs you to walk out being the light because it is in darkness. Good works do not add or take away from God’s love, they simply display His love to the World. We can only produce good works that are beneficial to the Kingdom of Heaven by continually building a relationship with Him. It is out of understanding His love for us that we are able to love others and share this same love. It is important to remember that these good works are as unique as we are! God has purposed for us to display His glory to bring hope to this broken world when it is needed most! I think we can all agree that THIS is one of those times.

Will you lean listen to the whispers and gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit and obey His voice? He may ask you to text a friend to let them know you are thinking about them, go to a place you did not even know was on the map to spread the good news, or talk to that stranger that seems cranky in the grocery store. Whatever He asks you to do as the light of this world, DO IT! God has invited you to have a personal relationship with Him not only for your benefit. After all, Jesus displayed his love through servanthood! God has also given you specific gifts to display WHO He is to a world that desperately needs Him, now more than ever.

Call To Action:

  • What is a good work? What is a good work NOT?
  • HOW are good works produced?
  • How can you be the LIGHT of the world today?
  • Why is understanding that you are UNIQUE on PURPOSE important as you walk out your God given purpose?
  • Ask Holy Spirit to bring you revelation through an example of Jesus or the disciples carrying out a ‘good work’.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Joy In The Journey.

Over the course of this past week I have felt what both my husband and my mother have said, the weight of the world on my shoulders. It was not that I had intended to take this heavy burden. However, over the course of this past year you or I have not had to look far to see brokenness and the need for Jesus. It was not that I was trying to be him, but I have felt the deep need to intercede, stand in the gap, and lay out not only my cares but the cares of others too.

It was not until late last night until the burden lifted. I laughed and laughed at short clips of video’s and suddenly I felt light again. I felt thankful. I began to thank God for laughter. Oh how I needed to laugh and smile again. When I woke up this morning I felt not heavy burdened but thankful to had woken up with a restful night of sleep. As the day went on the thankfulness continued. I thanked him that I was able to drive in a car that is paid off that he provided. I thanked him for being able to buy name brand things if I wanted to (even though I made sure to add the only time I was going to buy name brand was if the cheap stuff did not work as well as the name brand). I got groceries and thanked him for yet again meeting our needs this week. I got on the phone with my husband and thanked God for his protection and a wonderful husband who brings me closer to him. The list goes on, but thankfulness for today lightened the load.

With all the things that kept going wrong, I missed what was going right. When I was focused on past sufferings, it brought anxiety and worry into my tomorrow. Thankfully, Holy Spirit fixed my focus and gave me thankfulness for today.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” -Matthew 6:34 NLT

Where are you today? No matter what you have dealt with, don’t think about yesterday and do not worry about tomorrow. Focus on the blessings of today. When we focus on the problem rather than who is walking with us in the midst, peace can soon dissipate. However, God was with us yesterday, he is with us today, and he will be with us tomorrow too. I want to challenge you, right here, right now. What are you thankful for?

Like me, maybe your focus was off course so it was hard to see the good or where God was in the mix. Ask Holy Spirit for help with setting your focus back on him. Ask to have his perception, reminder of his promises, and to have his thoughts. He will reveal something to be thankful for even if you do not think there is a reason to be. I also challenge you to continue in thanksgiving. Giving praise to God for who he is and all he has given you.Thanksgiving enables us to have joy in the journey because we are focused on his goodness rather than our circumstance. Like me, I believe you will find that the heavy burden will soon lift.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” -Philippians 4:6-8 NLT

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Leaving Worldly Distractions and Embracing Purpose

I am sorry that I have not wrote in a while. In all honesty, there has been a lesson in the midst of my absence. I have been feeding myself with so much media rather than that Word of God at one point it was hard to think straight. (YIKES!) I have allowed the world to come invade my mind and preoccupy me where I have been distracted, so distracted. For this I not only apologize to you but I repent to our heavenly Father.

However, the time was not wasted. It taught me quite a few things. One of the first being, how important it is to feed ourselves and meditate on the Word of God. The Lord put it this way to me, “Be the light and log off”. As the end of time draws closer and closer each day, there will be more and more people who will not understand what we are saying. We cannot make someone see if they have scales upon their eyes. Only God can make those scales fall off. However, when we do see things that grieve our heart, this is the perfect time to head to the war room and get on our knee’s before the Lord. There is a great reward for those who retreat to the secret place.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6 NLT

God is the only one that can soften a heart and make blind eyes to see. But, when you proclaim the gospel, do not feel that it is wasted time. The Lord reminded me of this today.

“For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 CSB

Not only did Paul recognize that what he spoke and taught was never wasted. He understood that even in great opposition, God is the one who makes us bold and courageous as lions (Proverbs 28:1). As time goes on, there is going to be more opposition against those who preach the Word of God. I am not saying this to be a debbie downer, it is what the Word of God says. However, this does not mean that we as those who truly walk as Jesus has walked to step back and be quiet. What hope is there besides the Word of God? Everything but the Word of God will wither away. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the Gospel.

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT

Never forget, our Lord Jesus Christ knows what is like to be rejected for walking in (being) the truth. He is not one that does not sympathize with that either. He knows, so do not be scared to let him know what is going on in that heart of yours. He knows your thoughts even before you speak them (Psalm 139:4).

Last but not least;

When you speak the truth, God’s Word, and are rejected, do not let the opposition stop you. I do encourage you to always go before God and make sure that you are saying things from a pure heart. There is life and death in the power of our tongue. We must be careful to speak the truth in love, or else we are only a clanging cymbal. I encourage you to cut the distractions and get back to the heart of the Father. Know if you missed the mark, you are not alone I did too. Thankfully for us, his arms are always open and ready to meet us right where we are.