Archives for July 2018

Focus Verse: And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this. Exodus 14:4 (NIV)

“Everything happened with ease, that’s how I knew it was from God.” I heard that statement this weekend. It made me stop and think, “Does that mean that things that are met with a little resistance aren’t from God?” It made me think of an area in my life that I have been dealing with for some time now.

Everything from God isn’t always met with ease. Somethings you have to work for and fight for. What may appear effortless for some, may not be that way for you. I often think, “God why is it that things that appear so easy for others, comes with a challenge for me?” Then God reminds me, “I know what you can handle. The things that I allow you to go through and experience, if others were faced with it, they would walk away. You gain wisdom from your experiences that help others.” Had it not been for me knowing that the resistance was all apart of the plan, I would have given up a long time ago.

The enemy, knows just as well, how the blessings from God for your life will impact The Kingdom. And he’s not happy about it. So he will do everything he can to try and trick you to stop working, to stop fighting, to give up on what you know is yours. He will even try to entice you with things that appears better and easier. Which is why Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God, in Ephesians 6, so that we are not deceived by the devil’s tricks.

Understand today, that the resistance you are experiencing may very well be an indicator that it’s from God. Additionally, I’m so glad that when Jesus is met with my resistance, He doesn’t give up on me or walk away. But instead, He continually intercedes, to The Father, on my behalf,

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I don’t always understand what is going on. There are times that You allow me to experience pure ease in areas of my life and then other, I’m met with consistent resistance. Help me to see You in everything and not be ignorant to the devil’s schemes, according to 2 Corinthians 2:11. And I will forever give You the praise for whatever the outcome is. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Focus Verse: Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (AMP)

Last week, we talked about how we have to be willing to pursue what’s uncomfortable when it pertains to our purpose. Today we will look at Moses and discuss the state of being ready as it pertains to our purpose.

In Exodus 3, we see that God appeared to Moses to inform him that he had been chosen to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. (vs 10) Understandably, Moses had some fear and doubts and he began to question God. “Who am I that I should approach Pharaoh?” (vs. 11) “Who should I say sent me? (vs. 13) “What if they don’t believe me? (Exodus 4:1)

Every excuse Moses gave God was a reflection of his own ability and had absolutely nothing to do with God, His ability, and what His word says about Him. (see Exodus 3:14) For every concern Moses had for God, God had a response for Moses. “Certainly, I will be with you.”(Exodus 3:12) “I am who I am. (Exodus 3:14) Read Exodus 4:1-13 for God’s response to Moses’ fear of speaking and “what if they don’t believe me.”

It’s easy for us to look at others to analyze and point out their mistakes, but how many times have you, like Moses, told God you weren’t ready? “God this is too much for me to handle. I’m not where I want to be yet. What if it doesn’t work out? What if they don’t believe me? I’m comfortable where I am right now. How am I going to pay for that? That’s going to be/ is way too hard. What if I don’t succeed?”

The state of being ready does not automatically negate or cancel out the presence of fear. So many people have tricked THEMSELVES into believing they aren’t ready simply because fear is present. It is highly possible and extremely normal to pursue purpose in the presence of fear.

God knew everything that Moses would be up against when delivering His people and He still felt confident that he could get the job done. In that same manner, God knows everything about you and He still has confidence that you can be everything He called and created you to be. Not because of who you are, but because who He is. I encourage you to make a vow today, that you will pursue your purpose, even in the presence of fear.

Prayer: Glory to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! You are the Everlasting God! Thank You for that reminder that just because fear is present, doesn’t mean I am not ready. Father forgive me, I have ignored Your calling many times. I know there are places and people that You have called me to and I have totally ignored them. As I vow today to pursue my purpose in the presence of fear, help me to remember to not look at my inability, but to keep my eyes on You and Your ability. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Focus Scriptures: So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:5-6  (NLT)

I was talking to one of my college friends one evening about life and how it has played out so far. One of the things she mentioned was, if she knew then, what she knows now, there are things she would have changed and pursued differently. She pursued a degree, that now she realizes, she is unhappy with, doing things that leave her feeling unfulfilled. When asked what she desired to do, without hesitation she started talking about what she knew God had called her to do, but she was still praying to see exactly how He wanted her to do it.

Why do we sit on things God has instructed us to do, “praying and seeking guidance” from Him, secretly expecting Him to unfold His entire plan for our lives?

Sometimes God expects us to step out on faith without seeing the entire picture. He will give us a tiny glimpse and then expect us to move, without fully knowing what will come next or how it will work out.

Because of the unknown, some of you have yet to make the first step of faith, but you are constantly going to God asking Him to show you and reveal to you His plan. Let me save you, and the people who are connected to you some time, STOP IT! God is not going to give you Step 2 when you have yet to do Step 1. God delights in order and doing things out of order just isn’t who He is.

For example, in 2 Kings 4, Elisha has an encounter with a widow, who was down to her last and planned on using the little she had left to prepare a meal for herself and her sons and then die. In verses 3-4, Elisha instructed her to go and collect all the jars she could and fill them up with the oil she had. She MOVED in verse 5 and did what she was instructed and we see that the power of God moved with her. She was able to fill up EVERY jar she had. Step 1: complete. After she had filled all the jars and the oil ceased flowing, in verse 7, we see she went back to Elisha and asked “what was next”, and then he was able to instruct her to Step 2.

What has God shown you, but you haven’t moved, because you are unsure of how it will work out, or you can’t see the full plan? Just a bit of advice, do Step 1 and Step 2 will come!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes to see things clearly. Thank you for helping me to realize you are a God who delights in order. Forgive me for not being obedient the first time you spoke to me, and I thank You that You love me enough to allow me the opportunity to get it right. Now Father, give me the courage to step out on faith and know confidently that You will direct my every step. I thank You in advance for what you are going to do, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

*Note- Today’s Devo, is a repost from a previous one.*