It is of great importance that we wait upon the Lord for his direction⬆️↗️➡️↘️⬇️↙️
When he gives us directions, no matter big or small we are then to be obedient⚠️
He see’s all the way from the beginning to the end🔃
His plans are for us to prosper and have life abundatly!✝️💜
We may have a plan but God’s will trumps ours all day everyday!👏
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Holy Spirit has had me on the subject of life’s changes and how we handle change for a while.
As you may or may not know, my husband and I have went through so much change since we have been married. Most recently, his contract ended for being active duty military and he is now pursuing National Guard. In the upcoming months to this, the Lord directed me to give my two week notice and pursue writing full time. (Have you noticed more content? This is why!) All of this was SOOOO uncomfortable and we are still following Jesus’ leading through this process. We do not have it all figured out.
But, we do know the one who does.
There are quite a few verses I am personally holding onto throughout all of this change that Holy Spirit has brought to my attention:
While we are in the waiting for the promises to come to pass, we often are tempted to look at what is front of us, rather than looking to the one who promised. When we do this, the enemy can come in easily to distract us and tempt us into following what seems like good, but is really just a replica for what God has for us. Or he can come in and plant seeds of doubt if we are not being careful to take EVERY THOUGHT captive. He is called the father of all lies for a reason. However, when we focus on Jesus our promise keeper, the way maker, we can dwell in his peace, and know that what he has promised is GOING to come to pass. If the promise depended on us, we would be in trouble. We all miss the mark. But HIS faithfulness does not depend on us. He is FAITHFUL because that is WHO he is, FAITHFUL AND TRUE.
While it is of great importance to be obedient, understand that even if we miss the mark, there is an abundance of grace and mercy. God knew that sometimes we were going to stumble and this is why he gave us the greatest gift of all, Jesus. I also love these awesome promises in Psalm 37.
“If they stumble badly they will still survive,
for the Lord lifts them up with his hands.
I was once young, but now I’m old.
Not once have I found a lover of God forsaken by him,
nor have any of their children gone hungry.
Instead, I’ve found the godly ones
to be the generous ones who give freely to others.
Their children are blessed and become a blessing.” –Psalm 37:24-26 TPT
When we put trust in our own plan and work in our own strength, we are sure to become weary. Our thoughts become anxious and we can even try to do rather than just trust. There are many things that have happened or are going to happen in the future that God’s only command to us (more of a question) is,“Do you TRUST me?”. In the midst of change it is of GREAT importance that we focus on the only one who is STEADFAST.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” –Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
When we look to Jesus and lay our plans in his hands, we know that he is willing to exchange our flawed plan for HIS PERFECT WILL and we also know that EVERYTHING is working out for the good. When we trust who he is, and lean not on what we can see, he will direct our steps. When he directs our steps because our trust is in him rather than ourselves, we know the plan must succeed. These are all promises from him to us and he is not a man that he can lie.
I am not sure where you are, but Abba does. Today he is asking you not to try to figure everything out, but to trust him.
Seek him and you will surely find.
Know there is plenty of grace and mercy for the both of us.
Do not waver in unbelief, but PRAISE HIM in advance for what is going coming to pass and THANK HIM for what he has already done.
Praise him for WHO he IS!
He is faithful and his plans are so much greater than you and I can ever imagine.
“There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.” -Luke 2:36-37 CSB
There is one specific part of this scripture that I believe God wants to talk about today. That is serving day and night just as Anna did. There is not much about Anna in the bible. There is actually one more verse to this passage of scripture and that is all we get to know about Anna. But, how many of you know that when God gives us even one word it is something of GREAT importance?
Anna, a prophetess had been living a widow for 84 years. Her husband died early on in their marriage, only 7 years. What she did in response is amazing to me and has put me in awe. She never left the temple and served God day and night and was consistently in fellowship with God through fasting and prayer. God had me study these two scriptures this morning and this is what he revealed to me. Anna knew her place in the body of Christ, she was equipped in the place she was serving because she was placed there by God! The word serving in this passage of scripture actually means latreúō. Which actually means, properly, to render technical, acceptable service because specifically qualified (equipped). Anna served day and night to God, worshiping him with her life. Her life was a sacrifice of praise unto God.
God has equipped every single one of us to serve in some way, somewhere. Are you where God has called you to be? Many times God will speak to you about what you are supposed to do and other people say that it can’t be done. Do not let those people discourage you. Christine Caine was told she would never be able speak in front of people and that she was incapable. Jesus was not acknowledged in his home town! So NEVER let other people’s opinions defer you from what God has already equipped you to do.
If you do not know the best place for you to serve, the best thing to do is go to the one who equipped you in the first place. No matter what you are CALLED to do, it is of great importance. Do not look around at everyone else and what they are called to do. Focus on Jesus and the talents and gifts he has placed inside of you. One part of the body is not more important than the other. The best thing you can do is what you are called to do! The reason I believe that Anna was able to serve so well is because she was in CONSTANT fellowship with God, she knew WHO she was, and WHAT she was called to do and she did that, with passion and reverence for God. Are you in a position that you are not called to be in? There is someone who is CALLED to be in that spot and they are equipped BY GOD to do so. I put emphasis on BY GOD because we can only be equipped through him, not people. They are called the gifts of the Holy Spirit for a reason. I believe that people can strengthen us and the body of Christ is a living organism, growing day by day. What God has equipped us with we are to share with others!
Anna may have only had three verses in the bible, but this great prophetess of God is known for serving wholeheartedly and passionately in the position God had equipped her in. If this is something that you are unsure of follow her example and pray and fast, spending time with the Father. He wants you to do what he has per-destined you to do!
FURTHER SCRIPTURE STUDY:
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[e] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[f]
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. -1 Corinthians 12:12-31 NLT
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. -Ephesians 2:10 NLT
I believe it is during times of uncertainty and trials that how we view God is truly revealed. It is easy to praise him when things are going right. But, what do we do when things are up in the air? What do we do when nothing seems to be going right?
One mistake many make, myself included, during times of uncertainty it to try and figure out things. We are analytical by nature, we are problem solvers, and we want to get things done! How many can agree that God’s timing is not our timing and that his thoughts are much higher than ours!? So often, we try and figure out how things are going to work out. Where the finances are going to come from, when the healing is going to come, or why things happen. When I try and figure everything out, I have realized I display a lack of trust and I stress myself out! Overall, it is just not a good feeling and something is off. That thing is my view of who God is and where my trust has been placed.
Faith is not focusing on what we can see.
For instance, my husband is getting out of the military and he is our main source of income. Through this time of transition, change, and uncertainty, God has revealed that our jobs are a vessel for him to give us provision rather than something we earned. He has also told me that I should rely on him to provide, not the job. God has shown me that nothing is permanent unless he wills it to be so. Therefore, trusting in my husband to provide rather than trusting in Abba Father to provide is a big no-no! This also puts tremendous pressure on my husband. (Sorry babe!)
There have been so many times that I have tripped up and put my trust in the wrong thing. Forgive me Father. In times of trials, suffering, and uncertainty, we are to look at what is known.
The more I search, the more I learn, the more I observe, I have began to understand that Abba Father is the only thing that is known and steadfast. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises are yes and amen! I cannot put faith in myself or the situation around me, especially since things look impossible. But, I can declare his promises, and I can praise him for all he has done! He has never failed me, why would he start now?
When you are going through a trial or uncertainty, where is your trust? In the circumstance or in the way maker, the only one who can change what is visible? Do you complain or do you praise?
What may seem impossible for man, is possible when God is put in his rightful place on the throne of your heart! Let us not lean on our own understanding and he will make our path’s straight. God is so good that even when we make a mistake, he still holds us up! Thank-you Papa God!!! In our uncertainty, God not only reveals the position of our heart, but he uses what looks impossible to show how good and how big he is. Through faith we know that he is for us, he makes a way when there is no way, and we have nothing to fear because he is our refuge.
If you are in the midst of the storm, remind yourself of who is your Papa and meditate on his faithfulness, declaring his word, praise instead of worry. He has this!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”-Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” -Psalms 37:23-24 NKJV
“The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”-Psalm 34:10 NKJV
God loves when we follow the plan he has for us, especially since he knows what’s perfect. He loves when we earnestly seek to do his will. He “delights” in our every step. He is well pleased.
There have been times where I have had to make a BIG decision. I prayed and got impatient, later realizing I had made a mistake. I still thought that it was God’s will. However, later I realized I had made a mistake that caused me to stumble. I did not wait long enough for him to bring clarity. Yet we see, that even when we stumble there is abundant grace and mercy. He is ready and willing to lift us up when we stumble.
Do you remember when you tried to ride a bike for the first time? Your parents let you try without training wheels? If you were like me, you ate the gravel. I mean, I stumbled hard. I was a bloody, bruised, beat up, wanted to give up kind of mess. Just as my earthly Father saw what had happened and helped me up, God will lift you up when you stumble. He is much better than your earthly father. He is your cheerleader. He was delighted you wanted to please him! He lifts you and says, here my child try this.
God sees the desire in your heart to do his will and live out his plan for your life and that pleases him. He is delighted you a pursuing to be obedient. Even if you stumble, he is there to lift you up. He is proud of you! So dust the gravel off and keep riding.
