What's the Next Step

The other day I asked the Lord to encourage me.  I hadn't thought about it, but I'm so used to always striving to be okay - whatever the circumstance, that I tend to not require or expect a lot of attention or encouragement.

I generally walk around with an internal joy that is based around an eternal God and all He has for me.  But as I'm starting to venture out into new areas of ministry - and into what I feel is my calling, it's a little scary.  God keeps showing me BIG things, but I'm just little me.  So I told the Lord, "If you want me to do this, I need you to encourage me."  And that He has!

Nearly every day I ask the Lord "What's my next step?"  And without fail he sends me a phone call, an email or an instant message - don't misunderstand - He didn't actually dial the phone or write the message, but He directed someone to.

For instance, I was sitting at my desk, talking to the Lord, and an instant message popped up from a longtime friend - asking if I could perform her wedding.  I said Yes and the Lord will customize it just for you :)

Then I was praying one morning at 5:30 and I get a call at 6:30 inviting me to a retreat for the upcoming weekend.  And what a blessing that was - to make new friends and have God in our midst - confirming more of what God has been showing me :)

Another day, I was upstairs getting ready and was asking the Lord what do I do next and my phone downstairs rings.  I go down and it's a friend asking me to counsel her daughter.  Then later that afternoon another friend calls me and asks me to counsel her daughter.

Do you think that's enough.  Nope!  I was asking the Lord again the next day "What step do you want me to take today?" and I get an email asking for someone to handle the administrative stuff for our recent and future retreats.

Then again, still pursuing what the Lord has for me to do, I get a call from a friend inviting me to a fundraiser dinner for a local Christian counseling organization that helps people ages 18-28. 

All these events - equipping me and expanding my vision for what God can do, if I'll trust him.

As I was going for a walk the other day, talking to the Lord, He reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. – We are to hold on to and go after the big vision, but let God take care of the details.

Some other scriptures that were encouraging are:
 

• Psalm 34:4-5 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  commit your “way” to the Lord.  Trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass. 
• Psalm 37:23 says The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He (the Lord) delights in his (good man) way. 
• Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and his tongue talks of justice.  The law of god is in his heart none of his steps shall slide.

So if you're wondering what the next step is, just ask the Lord - He will direct you, give you the deisres of your heart, make it come to pass, and your steps shall not slide!  And He'll enjoy doing it :)

Be encouraged and be blessed!

And They Call Themselves Christians...

I hear all the time where people make comments like "And they call themselves Christians" and how Christians don't represent what they say they are, unfortunately, I have to agree…

Christian – means Christ follower –  However, sometimes it is every evident that Christ is not leading where we’re going and we may need to check ourselves.

In my personal walk, I am constantly checking myself (especially when I’m stirred up) that I am doing what God wants versus what I want.  Many times I want to counsel from my emotion instead of the Spirit of God and have to shut my mouth until God wins out.  I also try to honor God in all I do – if I think an action will dishonor God, I won’t be a part of it.  In other words, if it’s not okay with God, it’s not okay.

I believe if we call ourselves Christians, we should want to please God at all times, or else what’s the point?  As a Christian we should trust God with all things and believe he is way smarter than us, therefore knows what’s best for us – and our lives should reflect that belief.

I also believe that God calls us to love him first and our neighbor second.  If we love him like we claim, that will be reflected in every relationship we have. 

So in the case, when we fall short, which we will, it should be due to ignorance and not rebellion. 

Ignorance - we didn’t know any better – should draw us nearer to God – seeking out understanding. 

Rebellion - we knew better, but we did it anyway – separates us from God. 

A lot of times, we'll excuse our behavior but in the bible we see God’s anger toward the rebellious people, but mercy toward the sinner.  Sin becomes rebellion once we know it’s sin and we continue in it anyway.  God sent his son to die for our sins but sent his wrath to the rebellious nations.  So let's not kid ouselves.

Being a Christian isn’t being perfect, it’s admitting and not making excuses when we’re not.  If we call ourselves Christian, we should care if our lives reflect that title.  And if our lives don’t, we need to make it right. 

Let’s face it, God knows everything and we can’t play dumb and pretend we didn’t know.  So we need to walk according to what we know and seek out understanding on what we don’t so we can reflect Jesus in all we do and everywhere we go – thereby making the term “Christian” reflect it’s true meaning.    Hoping you all join me in being labeled more than a Christian - a Jesus Freak.

Let Go

I woke up this morning saying "Let go"... God wants us to let go.

• Let go of the things that hurt us – because he wants us healed.
• Let go of the things that aren’t right, because He wants us alright. 
• Let go of the burdens that bog us down, He wants us free
• Let go of the fear that holds us back, He wants us living boldly
• Let go of the shame that causes us to hide, He wants us to be confident
• Let go of the past that blocks our path, He wants us to step into the future He has for us
• Let go of the uncertainty that cripples us, He wants us to trust Him.
• Let go of doubt that blinds us, He wants us to have faith that He is a God of His Word.

Let go and Let God - be your everything...