Trusting God

Trusting God no matter what.

 

Even when things seem to be going in the wrong direction.

Even when people and circumstances seem to be against you.

Even when you are at the end of your ability to cope, understand, overcome etc.

We trust God not because of our feelings, perceptions or abilities.

We trust God because of who He is.

His character. His attributes. His Spirit.

We trust God because He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. We trust God because He is faithful. He never changes. He always is true to His Word. His love never fails. His loving kindness if forever and ever.

And that is why we trust God. Because He is completely trustworthy.

So if we trust Him that much. Is there anything we shouldn’t entrust to Him? Or rather shouldn’t we give Him everything and let Him do what we simply cannot?

“God take my everything. My doubts. My fears. My inadequacies. My mistakes. My failures. My feelings. Lord take it all and do what You desire. Please God, take me, fill me, use me. Lord I just want to be where You are and want You to have full control.

Help me to hear Your voice, keep in step with Your Spirit, rest in Your presence and enjoy You forever. Please strip away the temporal, the wicked and sinful, the darkness and doubt, the unbelief. And in place of all that was, please now fill me with all of You. This is my hope. This is my prayer. And to this I commit my life both now and forevermore.”

Amen!

Leadership Language – Old and New

We can attract people with our language and we can turn them off just as quickly with the words we use. Which ones are the right ones? Which ones will not only connect but communicate what we are intending? Furthermore what “baggage” do the words we use carry with them? I want to take a moment and consider the importance of words in leading others and how the right words can make something stick but just as quickly the wrong words could result in the loss of our influence and leadership in someone’s life.

There are certain words that I read that quickly turn me off: “Vision-casting, BHAG’s, Successful, Daring, Significant” and more. Now don’t get me wrong I see the value of each of these words. I have incorporated what they represent into my own life and leadership and I have taught them to others. However I do often shy away from people using them because of the abuse of them and the “used car-salesman” (no offense intended) impression that some leadership experts carry with them as they teach others how to manipulate (hm-hmmm, I mean lead) others. So is there anything wrong with these words? No. But when I use them could I just as quickly be turning people off to the message I carry because they are perhaps judging me in the same way I have just mentioned? So does that mean we need to get rid of these words, redefine them, redeem them or replace them? And is it really that important?

LL Old & New Part 1 - 2The traditional words of leadership carry with them important themes and principles that ought to be incorporated and lived out in the daily lives of those who want to genuinely help others and influence both individuals and culture for the good. So how do we make sure that when we speak of “vision” people don’t just think of us as dreamers or orators with no actual ability to bring something to pass or see it through? How do we ensure that when we speak of becoming successful we don’t leave the impression that the most important things to us are status, money and power? How do we speak of “significant” steps that can be taken towards health and growth without people discounting us as merely selling a product? I believe it all comes down to humility, patience, perseverance, time and love. As we love people, they will listen to our words. As we are humble and meek people will watch our lives and begin to realize that our words are more than catch-phrases and buzz-words. As we walk with people, journey with people, listen and hurt, laugh and rejoice with people, they will know that our words are more than words they are an expression of who we are and of the love we are attempting to express for our fellow sojourner.

LL Old & New Part 1 - 3In my next post I want to elaborate more on redeeming and replacing words (using a new language to speak new and fresh messages) but for today, the question is this: Are your words consistent with your life and character? Are your attitudes reflecting your “leadership principles”? Are your words an extension of your heart for humanity? Or are they merely a vain attempt to grab at a bit of attention, recognition and praise? If you taint your words with ego it won’t be long before you too are grouped in the category of the “used-car salesman” and you may forever burn a bridge of influence you might otherwise have had.

Treasure their hearts

The Lord has been speaking to me about discipleship in the home. Our first responsibility as people of God is nurturing, valuing, treasuring, affirming, building-up and even cherishing the hearts of those God has given us as spouses, children and family. How often our words, attitudes, looks, posture and non-verbal cues speak loudly to our “loved ones” that we don’t care, don’t have time, aren’t interested and otherwise find the persons right in front of to be a burden and even a distraction and nuisance. God forbid, that the very people God has blessed us with in order that we might experience unconditional love and acceptance we treat with disdain and and impatience. Why do we do this? We blame it on many things, but I believe that it is a combination of a few things: busyness, selfishness and undue fascination with the stuff (temporal things) of life. Indeed somehow between our own overcommitments (or poor time management) in combination with obsession with material possessions, financial security, success, accolades and struggling with inner selfishness we have many times neglected, alienated, forgotten and yes even forsaken our beloved ones. So what are we to do about this?

First we must know the love that God the Father has had for us. He didn’t love us from a distance. No He came as Emmanuel, God with us. He took on flesh and walked among us so that He would know our struggles as we do and that He might show us compassion and love incarnate. God doesn’t call us, instruct us or make promises from a distance but rather He draws near by His Spirit and whispers our name. When we relate to our kids or spouses from a distance we end up become estranged and unknown and simply cannot love or be loved as we need.

Second we must know that when God came near He was not satisfied only with being near. He wanted to be with us. In the digital/wired era in which we live, how often we are tempted to be near people but not with. God on the other hand came near and made it a commitment to be with people as well. When we live near but not with people that breeds familiarity rather than intimacy; furthermore familiarity without intimacy can and often does create indifference, then apathy, and finally stand-offishness or even despisement.

As men and women who desire to be all that God has called us to be to our families and loved ones we must learn from the perfect love of God. We must learn to be with and not just near. We must learn meet those we are seeking to commune with where they are.  We must look them in the eye, listen to the cries of their hearts, respond in love, tenderness and compassion. We must treasure the hearts of those we call our beloved. We must find the broken places in their hearts and fill them up with love. How important it is that we value and take tender care of the treasure that is the heart. After all, remember the heart is the wellspring of life.

God’s moving

We often say “God is moving”. What do we mean by this? What are we inferring or referring to?

Often we mean that there are good circumstantial things coming to pass. The offering was good, the service was full of passion or there were new visitors. However we are discounting both the depth and breadth of what God is doing when we only refer to circumstantial things. Other times when we say “God is moving” it means that we may have a great deal of positive emotional energy regarding how the circumstances of life appear to be trending. And so when things by and large seem to be “going our way” (i.e. there are more things turning out like we want them to than not) then we say “God is moving” This misses the entire reality of what God’s moving really entails.

God’s moving is really the movement of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore the movement of the Holy Spirit is always God moving on the hearts of people. When the offering plate is fuller than last week it is because God prompted people to give and they agreed with the Holy Spirit and obeyed. When the service is full of passion (if it is genuine and not contrived or mere emotionalism) then we can be sure what has happened is that God’s Spirit moved on the hearts of people to draw them to repentance, trust, worship, adoration, thanksgiving, etc. In addition, not only did God speak, but the people listened and obeyed. If there are new visitors in our church services, we can be assured it is because God was “moving” on their hearts and convincing them of a need to gather with God’s people and seek Him and in particular He has led them to our congregation; and again in this instance the evidence of God’s moving is the people’s obedience.

So “God’s moving” is the convicting, convincing, rebuking, training, drawing of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of people coupled by their faith, trust, brokenness, humility and obedience. However God is always working, every day, every moment for our salvation and to shape and form us into His likeness and image, so if we do not see or hear or say often “God is moving” the reality is that people (maybe me?) are not listening to and heeding the work of God. Indeed the Holy Spirit is always at work, the question is are we also about the Father’s business and are we keeping in step with His Spirit? I want to see God at work always, but am I agreeing with all that God is saying to me? Please, Holy Spirit come!

What God is doing in the hearts of believers

God paid the price for His children to receive everything they need for life and godliness. Everything. And yet we moan and complain, fear and worry, and find ourselves constantly hurried, stressed and full of anxiety. The reason we fall short is because fail to pay careful attention to what He has said and to listen to what He is saying. God is pouring out His Spirit with all of His abundant blessings upon all who will believe. If we will but wait in His Presence, He will give us blessing upon and blessing and grace upon grace and the beautiful thing is that when we spend time in His Presence we finally begin to realize that He is the greatest gift! All that we need for life and godliness is found in Him. Here are some realities of what God is doing, what He is pouring out, what He is supplying, if we will wait, trust, listen, believe, and receive:

  • As His beloved God is making us into His beautiful masterpieces
  • He is availing to us all we need to be at peace and rest in every moment
  • He is providing all of the power, patience and love we need to be His body
  • He has given and is giving us love, compassion, and everlasting loving-kindness for every person, and every circumstance we are in right now
  • He is right now giving us victory over everything (including joy and peace over anger, bitterness, judgement, grumbling, negativity, and complaining!)
  • He also supplying patience to us for things being less or different than we would want them to be
  • He is giving us love and joy and excitement about the things God is doing

Please realize, recognize and receive all that God is offering you right now! There are some things in life that are far off. His supply of His Spirit is not one of them. He wants to fill you now. Please let Him abide in you and you in Him!

Every moment, every circumstance and every person is a present opportunity for God to fill us, use us and flow through us to bring His kingdom to earth. Please wait patiently in God’s Presence and let Him flow into you with His holy fire, let Him speak to you the majesties of His voice, let Him move through you by His mighty Holy Spirit and let Him do in and through you everything He desires which will make you into His likeness and image with ever increasing glory and will result in praise, glory and honor to Him forever and ever!

God is faithful and He is doing it!

I want to share with you about what God is doing in your life and in the lives of all of His children who call on His name, seek His face and obey His voice. Far too many Christians do not know what is available to them in Christ Jesus, or even if they do know they still do not live in His Presence and in the fullness of His blessings. Here are 7 realities that believers need to receive and live in:

1. God is at work in the lives of those who believe
2. His Spirit is present in those who are His
3. He may not be manifest (outwardly made known) if we are not abiding, resting, trusting, praying, listening, dwelling, etc.
4. His power and peace is at work in those who believe, especially when we avail ourselves thru prayer
5. He is making us into His warriors when we pray, whether we feel/know it or not (the condition here is humility and brokeness)
6. We can be those who live centered, abundant, overcoming, peace-filled, radiant, glowing, glory-covered and glory-filled lives if we will spend time in the presence of God, abiding always and praying without ceasing
7. The children of God are forgiven, cleansed, set-free, empowered, filled and sent

We need to live in what God has given and what He is doing in the present moment in the lives of His children. There are matter of fact things that God has done for and in believers that we still don’t think are present realities. My prayer for myself and other believers is that we would learn all that God has already done and receive all that He is now doing in us. This only happens in prayer, in listening to the voice of God, waiting upon Him, abiding in Him. Please, take the time in prayer and the Word today to receive all God is doing in you!

Learning to abide in His Presence

To be like Jesus, requires being with Jesus. To treat others with love and respect means spending time at the feet of Jesus receiving from Him love and learning from Him what is true. When we live in His Presence, His words and His Spirit not only minister to our hearts and bring us courage but also fill us up with hope, light and life. When we try to live out of our own effort and understanding we fall short. When we live in Christ and He lives in us, we have His grace/favor as a shield around us, we have His glory within us and His fire surrounding and protecting us, we have it grace and love poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit He has given us and we have our life truly on a solid rock. When we step back into our own ability, nothing but chaos and heartache ensues. So this week, today, every moment of this day, rest in Him, trust Him, rely on Him, pray to Him, ask of Him, depend on Him, believe Him and watch and see what He will do in and for and through you. Abide in Him and He will abide in you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Seek what it means to say “Jesus, Your Presence is heaven to me”.

Abiding

Definition from Google Dictionary: (Archaic) Dwelling

This world may feel that abiding is something archaic, old fashioned, obsolete, insignificant. However, abiding is what we were created for. Abiding is why Jesus came to the earth and died on the cross for our sins. Abiding is all about Jesus in us and us in Him. He abides in us as our hope of glory. We abide in Him as our refuge and strength. Peace, joy and contentment do not come from a station in life or an accomplishment or recognition. These come as we wait in His Presence. We are “worried and concerned about many things, but only one thing is needed”. When we wait before Him, He speaks to us, lovingly, tenderly. When we wait before Him, He lifts us up, embraces us, comforts and shields us. When we call on His name, our Abba hears us and answers with His perfect wisdom, all-sufficient power, and everlasting loving-kindness. Abiding is having the kingdom of God within us. Abiding is trusting, waiting, faithing, loving, worshiping, dwelling in Him! We are invited to abide always and everywhere. Abiding is available to us by the blood of Jesus. Please accept Jesus’ invitation to abide in Him.

Isaiah 30:15:  In repentance and rest (abiding) you will be saved. In quietness and trust (abiding) is your strength. (NASB – parentheses added)

By grace through faith

Scripture tells us again and again that it is by grace through faith that we are saved. Abraham’s faith was credited unto him as righteousness and the patriarchs listed in Hebrews 11 walked by faith while on this earth. I know that many of you are probably facing a myriad of struggles, trials and opportunities. Yet, what I am reminded of is that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever you face. If you will but believe and receive His grace for forgiveness and salvation, He will indeed save you. But furthermore if you will but believe and receive His grace for wisdom, provision, guidance, hope, restoration, and whatever else you are facing I know that He will also give you His grace in abundant measure for your circumstances. So today, realize that it is because of God’s love for you that He sent His son, who offered His life as atonement for our sins; it is because of His love that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us; it is because of His love for us that He sends His Holy Spirit to abide in us and it is His grace through faith that makes all things possible!

The allure of busy-ness vs. the peace of His Presence

We all complain about how busy we are. And fret and bother and even present ourselves as martyrs because of the many demands on us. And yet truth be told, many of us are addicted to our busy-ness. We truly can’t live without it. Furthermore we really aren’t trying to. When things slow down and we begin to sabotage ourselves and the time God is creating for us to have sweet communion with Him, STOP! Let go of all the stuff. Let go of the constant need to be doing something! Let go of the insecurities that drive you.

God is calling us to come and sit as His feet. He is calling us to be “Mary”s who choose the “one thing” of ever-always being in His presence and utterly-desperately-depending upon Him for all things.

Let God speak to you. Let God sit a while with you and you with Him. Call out to Him and let Him truly be your peace! Being busy doesn’t fulfill, nor does it bring peace or contentment or true success. Being with the Lord is what ultimately brings life abundant and the only side effects of being with Him is a greater awareness of His moving, a greater sensitivity to His revelations, a greater compassion for the lost and a greater inner sense of love, joy, peace and rest. Why don’t you lay down your busy-ness and sit a while with the Lord?