When the Holy Spirit leads us to take a step of faith, we have to acknowledge these truths. We will battle obstacles, discouragement, and failure. The enemy will not give up that ground, along the way to God's will for our lives, without a fight. The Lord uses the journey to equip us for what He has called us to do. That's why Jesus said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace IN me. Here on earth you will have many trials and troubles. But take hear, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
The enemy will use anything and anyone to get us to turn back toward what is comfortable and familiar. A comment, phone call, financial crisis,criticism, negative people, past issues, past failures, etc..He will use whatever means necessary to cause us to give up on the "good things God planned for us long ago." (Eph. 2:10) The enemy is cunning and crafty, and he wants us to desire what is good over what God says is best. As w simply face normal daily challenges, that are a part of life, and the enemy will attempt to overwhelm & confuse us. He wants us to quit. He wants us to seek the acceptance of the ordinary over the rejection we may will feel on the road to the extraordinary. He wants us to quit. DON'T!
When we are as certain as we can be of God's call and direction, have tested and proved His call through prayer and God's Word, and have the agreement of our spouse\family and wise Godly counsel around us...We must KEEP GOING! Abraham did. Moses did. Noah did. Rahab did. Esther did. David did. Peter did. Paul did. Elisha did. Jesus did! Faith walkers you are in good company!
(Hebrews 11)
*Did God call you to stay home with your kids, but now things are tight and voices around you are telling you it isn't practical & to get a job? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you to walk away from a great salary & benefits to begin moving toward what He designed you to do before time began? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you to stay true to your marriage and fight to make it work in the midst of more obstacles and battles than you think you can endure? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you out of an environment that was unhealthy and damaging to your life and family, but you continue to be drawn back to what is unhealthy? KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
*Did God lead you away from addiction & compulsions that were destroying your life & family, but today the addiction seems better than the struggle? DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP GOING!
You see, God allows us all to wrestle and work out His call daily, so that His strength can be made perfect in our weakness. While He is working to build our faith, the enemy is trying to influence us to give up on God's purpose. The Holy Spirit's wants to sanctify & form us into the image of Jesus as He leads us toward God's purpose & will for our lives. The enemy's plan is to keep us comfortable & pacified in what is familiar, so that we never become as effective as God intended for His glory. Look at what Paul told the people at Philippi and Corinth...
"Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil. 2:12-13)
"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."(II Corinthians 12:8-10)
Why am I writing this? Because I faced a situation today that was meant to distract and move me from God's purpose for my life. BUT Today, because of the power of the Spirit within me, I was able to stop, pray, hear God's voice, be reminded of His Word and promises, hear Godly counsel, and keep going. This post is the result. This is part of our call. Donna Little Carroll &: I have been called to awaken others as we are awakened to God's truth and purpose for our lives. We must KEEP GOING too!
There have been many days when I have faltered, swam in self pity, and felt sorry for myself. There have been many days that I wanted to quit too, give up, and "go back" to what was familiar. There have been many days when I have screamed toward the heavens, "Where are you?!?" But, what I am learning is that God really is faithful. He really does provide. He really does heal. He really does love me. He really is there.I have the faith within me, but God wants "faith to become sight." We are being prepared. As a friend told me recently, "Steven, you will speak for 20 minutes with authority about 20 years of experiences God has brought you through, and the result will be changed lives." You see, the journey is worth it. Our stories will be used to help others as they struggle too.
To close this, Let's pray a prayer together that a dear mentor & friend used to tell me to pray often years ago. It's a simple prayer. "Lord I'm willing." No matter what things look like...I'm wiling. No matter what others say...I'm willing. No matter how dark it may look...I'm willing. Take a minute and remember all the times you've seen Him be faithful. He will be faithful today. Remember what God said to us through His prophet Habakkuk....
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.It will not be delayed." (Habakkuk 2:3)
KEEP GOING...Be blessed.
The enemy will use anything and anyone to get us to turn back toward what is comfortable and familiar. A comment, phone call, financial crisis,criticism, negative people, past issues, past failures, etc..He will use whatever means necessary to cause us to give up on the "good things God planned for us long ago." (Eph. 2:10) The enemy is cunning and crafty, and he wants us to desire what is good over what God says is best. As w simply face normal daily challenges, that are a part of life, and the enemy will attempt to overwhelm & confuse us. He wants us to quit. He wants us to seek the acceptance of the ordinary over the rejection we may will feel on the road to the extraordinary. He wants us to quit. DON'T!
When we are as certain as we can be of God's call and direction, have tested and proved His call through prayer and God's Word, and have the agreement of our spouse\family and wise Godly counsel around us...We must KEEP GOING! Abraham did. Moses did. Noah did. Rahab did. Esther did. David did. Peter did. Paul did. Elisha did. Jesus did! Faith walkers you are in good company!
(Hebrews 11)
*Did God call you to stay home with your kids, but now things are tight and voices around you are telling you it isn't practical & to get a job? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you to walk away from a great salary & benefits to begin moving toward what He designed you to do before time began? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you to stay true to your marriage and fight to make it work in the midst of more obstacles and battles than you think you can endure? KEEP GOING!
*Did God call you out of an environment that was unhealthy and damaging to your life and family, but you continue to be drawn back to what is unhealthy? KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
*Did God lead you away from addiction & compulsions that were destroying your life & family, but today the addiction seems better than the struggle? DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP GOING!
You see, God allows us all to wrestle and work out His call daily, so that His strength can be made perfect in our weakness. While He is working to build our faith, the enemy is trying to influence us to give up on God's purpose. The Holy Spirit's wants to sanctify & form us into the image of Jesus as He leads us toward God's purpose & will for our lives. The enemy's plan is to keep us comfortable & pacified in what is familiar, so that we never become as effective as God intended for His glory. Look at what Paul told the people at Philippi and Corinth...
"Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil. 2:12-13)
"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."(II Corinthians 12:8-10)
Why am I writing this? Because I faced a situation today that was meant to distract and move me from God's purpose for my life. BUT Today, because of the power of the Spirit within me, I was able to stop, pray, hear God's voice, be reminded of His Word and promises, hear Godly counsel, and keep going. This post is the result. This is part of our call. Donna Little Carroll &: I have been called to awaken others as we are awakened to God's truth and purpose for our lives. We must KEEP GOING too!
There have been many days when I have faltered, swam in self pity, and felt sorry for myself. There have been many days that I wanted to quit too, give up, and "go back" to what was familiar. There have been many days when I have screamed toward the heavens, "Where are you?!?" But, what I am learning is that God really is faithful. He really does provide. He really does heal. He really does love me. He really is there.I have the faith within me, but God wants "faith to become sight." We are being prepared. As a friend told me recently, "Steven, you will speak for 20 minutes with authority about 20 years of experiences God has brought you through, and the result will be changed lives." You see, the journey is worth it. Our stories will be used to help others as they struggle too.
To close this, Let's pray a prayer together that a dear mentor & friend used to tell me to pray often years ago. It's a simple prayer. "Lord I'm willing." No matter what things look like...I'm wiling. No matter what others say...I'm willing. No matter how dark it may look...I'm willing. Take a minute and remember all the times you've seen Him be faithful. He will be faithful today. Remember what God said to us through His prophet Habakkuk....
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.It will not be delayed." (Habakkuk 2:3)
KEEP GOING...Be blessed.
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