Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your anger burn against me that I may speak once more; please let me make a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground. (Judges 6:39)

“Lord, did I really hear from you? Or is it my mind, my heart, my flesh, legalism, or anything else shouting out, silencing the voice of Grace? Will you forgive my doubts? Will you speak and confirm your Word to me? Again? Please?”

That was the gist of my conversation with God one morning last week.

I had been wrestling about an issue, and honestly was not sure whether what I was hearing was God’s voice… or my flesh.

At this point in my faith walk, I thought it would be easy to discern.

But I must confess – it’s not. Not always, anyway.

There still are times in my faith walk when I tend to confuse God’s voice with legalistic decrees of men… or the desires of my heart with God’s direction.

This was one of those moments. And so, right there, in my War Room, unashamed, I begged God to confirm His Word. Again.

Bible open, eyes closed, I dared to say the words that would make some preachers cringe:

“Guide my hands to the answer, Lord.”

I waited for His prompting. Then moved my hands.

When I opened my Bible, my eyes rested on God’s mercy: A clear answer to my question.

“Oh, good, patient Father…“

Thank you.

66 books… 1,189 chapters… 31,102 verses…

The odds of my eyes resting on exactly what I needed to hear were slim to none. But God’s voice could not be clearer. He didn’t mind repeating it.

Grace spoke again.

I must say – this is not something I often do. I don’t usually use the Bible as the Urim and Thummim, casting it open to find an answer as if playing the Jewish dice. As a matter of fact, for many years, I found the practice almost… sacrilegious.

But Gideon’s story shows that however method God guides us to use, the practice of asking for confirmation before moving is not sinful if done when we honestly need to confirm the answer… or need the courage to press on when the task before us is scary.

There is no doubt Gideon’s heart was in the right place; otherwise, God would not have chosen him to deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:12).

He was an unlikely judge and prophet, chosen from a household of Baal worshipers (Judges 6:25). He had seen confusion in Israel. In his own home. And so, he honestly doubted his calling, even after God had set a wet altar on fire, spoken through an angel, and repeatedly told the prophet that Midian would be delivered into his hands (Judges 6:11-27).

He doubted himself, not God.

He looked at his inadequacy, his long list of weaknesses, his family’s record of unfaithfulness to Jehovah, and wasn’t sure he had heard it right:

Gideon doubted himself, not God. He looked at his inadequacy, his long list of weaknesses, his family’s record of unfaithfulness to Jehovah, and wasn’t sure he had heard it right. So he did the fleece test. Again. #rechargewednesday
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“O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15)

Shaking with the weight of his shortfalls and fear, Gideon asked for the sign of the fleece.

“Make it wet. Now dry again. ”

“Please don’t be angry, but will you say it one more time, Lord?”

I don’t know about you, but I used to have an ugly tendency to roll my eyes at Gideon when I read this passage.

Seriously, man?

You heard God’s voice. You saw an angel. You witnessed Baal’s altar destroyed. And Yahweh Himself said, “Do not be afraid – you shall not die!” (v.23)

And yet, you need a fleece to help you move forward?

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

It’s true. I kinda judged Gideon a time or two. Shame on me.

Until. I too. Was not sure I heard Him right.

Until He called ME – broken, inadequate me – to go forth in His Name. To do something that did not make sense. Something I could not do on my own strength.

“Can you make it dry this time, Lord? Just to make sure I heard you right. Pretty please?”

Sometimes It's not that we don't believe God. It's that we don't believe in ourselves. #rechargewednesday
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I get so caught up in my weaknesses and inadequacies that it makes it hard to believe that God would use a mess like me… Or I want something so bad that it makes it hard to believe that God would just freely give it to me.

It’s easier believing that I can’t. Or that He won’t.

But what I find most freeing about the story of Gideon is that God never flinched when Gideon asked for a sign that second time:

“God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground.” (v.40)

Relief, relief. It’s ok not to be sure.

Has God told you to do something scary, my friend?

Or give up someone or something you don’t know you can live without?

Is He calling you to fight an impossible battle on your own? Are you scared to move forward? Not because you don’t believe God, but because you don’t believe in yourself?

Take a moment. Breathe. Ask for another sign. A sure, unmistakable sign that will give you the courage to move on. A sign to help you drive a stake on the ground, point it to the enemy, and say: “I know that I know that I know – God spoke, and it shall be done.”

It’s all right. God will not frown at you.

If you need the fleece to be dry on the wet ground – just one more sign of confirmation – His merciful hand will give it to you.

And when He does, move forward, trusting that He will make you the Valiant Warrior He has designed you to be.

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LINKUP is open! Join me today as I share Gideon's story and why it's ok to ask God for another sign before moving forward. Share your blog! #rechargeWednesay
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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Prophet Isaiah, chapter 40.

Much can be said about the importance of one’s point of focus when it comes to life’s disappointments and hardships. The fact is, life is filled with moments and circumstances which have the power to swap our energy and extinguish all hope. From minor letdowns to significant crises, our hearts are constantly challenged by the weight of discouragement and fear.

Perhaps never has the power of discouragement been more prominent in our world than in the last 19 months. We have felt isolated from friends and family. We have lost loved ones due to this dreadful virus that has assailed the world. We have witnessed our society burn with riots and political unrest and now watch in disbelief the massive resurgence of terrorism rule in the Middle East. It is enough to make even the strongest feel uncertain about the future.

I was thinking about the power of discouragement this week when a big disappointment led me to tears. And I don’t mean a teardrop or two. I let the floodgates open, which is so very unusual to me.

The following day, as I sat down to read my Bible and pray, I came across an illustration about eagles by Scottish author John Ross Macduff that resonated with me. Anyone who knows me is aware of my love for eagles and how this majestic bird’s nature has inspired me through the years.

The illustration focused on the eagle’s habitat:

“You cannot detain the eagle in the forest. You may gather around him a chorus of the choicest birds; you may give him a perch on the goodliest pine; you may charge winged messengers to bring him choicest dainties; but he will spurn them all. Spreading his lofty wings, and with his eye on the Alpine cliff, he will soar away to his own ancestral halls amid the munition of rocks and the wild music of tempest and waterfall.”

As I meditated on the intrinsic meaning of the illustration, the beginning words of Psalm 90 echoed in my soul:

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 @AJC #MondayDevotional…
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The only psalm written by Moses, Psalm 90 is believed to be the oldest in the Psalter. From the content, we may conclude that it was written at the end of nearly 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as a prayer of remembrance for the people entering the promised land. In its verses, the leader describes God as the only eternal constancy in life and reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness through the hardest of circumstances.

Moses was qualified to write these words from a place of vast experience with discouragement. He witnessed an entire generation perish in the wilderness. He undoubtedly experienced fear and doubt while enduring incredible hardship and leading a most rebellious, discouraging crowd. And yet, as we read this Psalm which has become a bollard of hope for millennia, we hear a man convinced that God’s constancy, faithfulness and power are the only anchors that can truly settle his wavering heart.

Indeed, just as the eagle that does not settle in the damp forest, however comfortable it may be, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place.

As the eagle does not settle in the damp forest, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place. @AJC #MondayEncouragement
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But we cannot do it if we fix our eyes on the news. Nor can we live in peace if we refuse to get up from the seeming hopelessness of our situation.

Disappointment, pain and fear are inevitable and there will be moments when the tears will flow, and sadness or fear will threaten to settle in our hearts. But our prolonged response can determine whether these joy killers will rule our lives.

Indeed, refuting lingering discouragement is as much a deliberate step as the eagle’s flight. Just as the eagle refuses to stay in the forest, we must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, as Moses did, we must remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.

May we learn from Moses and the eagle and deliberately choose to soar to the Rock of Ages – the only place where the peace that surpasses all understanding reigns and our hearts find unwavering rest.

We must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, let us remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

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The post Refuse to Give in to Discouragement and Fear {Recharge Wednesday – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Tears fell down my face as I worshiped Him through song.

Just a couple of days before, I had been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Surgery had been scheduled for a few weeks away. Life as I knew it had changed with a doctor’s visit. Yet, as the song “Behold the Lamb” played on, my heart was filled with peace, gratitude and thanksgiving.

No, nothing had changed around me. We were still trying to figure out how we would manage without my income for over a month while recovering from surgery.

We were still trying to help our children understand and not be fearful because mommy had cancer.

And, yes, I had moments when I felt scared. But in the midst of it all, I found something new: A new song of praise. And I am not talking about the beautiful melody that was playing on the speakers that day. I am talking about a shift in the praise paradigm as I knew it.

For the first time in my life, I understood, deep down in my soul, what praise is really about. And I would never be the same.

It’s easy to praise God when life is beautiful.

When we have money, secure relationships and health, we usually find ourselves grinning from ear to ear and praising Him all day.

And then… there comes a valley; a deep, dark one. We instinctively find it hard to continue our songs of praise. That’s just, well, normal human nature. It is indeed hard to praise God in the face of our troubles. It takes work. It takes diligence. It takes faith to see past our predicaments and into the immutability of a loving God.

It is indeed hard to praise God in the face of our troubles. It takes work. It takes diligence. It takes faith to see past our predicaments and into the immutability of a loving God. #trustGod #TuesdayMotivation #RechargeWednesday
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A New Paradigm

If we are able to move our eyes from our ever-changing circumstances and fix them on the unchanging nature of our God, we change our praise paradigm from focusing on what God does to who God is. We change it from focusing on that which continually changes to the One who never does.

Instead of dwelling on the hardship of unemployment, we fix our eyes on the promises of Jehovah Jireh, the Provider. Instead of focusing on the dread of cancer or any other physical illness, we worship Jehovah Rapha, the Healer. Instead of looking at our uncertainties, we fix our eyes on God’s attributes, which never change and never will.

If we are able to move our eyes from our ever-changing circumstances and fix them on the unchanging nature of our God, we change our praise paradigm from focusing on what God does to who God is. #trustGod #TuesdayMotivation…
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We start worshiping…

Yahweh… the All-Knowing God – Who knows exactly what is happening to you. (Job 37:16)

Yahweh… the All-Loving God – Who loves you so much that He gave His only Son for you. As a loving Father, He will uphold you in the dark hour. (1 John 4:8)

Yahweh… the All-Powerful God – the One who spoke the stars into existence is more than able to mend your broken life. (Genesis 18:14)

Yahweh… the All-Present God – He is there for you when everyone else leaves. (Deuteronomy31:6)

Yahweh… the Sovereign God – who rules all creation and therefore knows what is best for us, even though we don’t always understand. (Isaiah 40:21-23)

Yahweh… The Holy God – who wishes to reveal to us flaws in our character that need to be changed… sins in our lives that need to go. It is through the fire that these impurities come to surface… that we may be molded, renewed, re-done. For His glory and our good. (Leviticus 20:26)

2012 was a year filled with long, dark valleys. So was 2020 to so many of us.

My husband and I often mentioned that we would happily bid 2012 goodbye when December 31 finally came. And so we did. Among other things, that was the year when we faced trials with cancer and the tragic death of my brother-in-law.

As I look back, however, as hard as that year was, the joy of finding stronger faith far surpassed the pain that these valleys brought along.

We witnessed God at work like never before. We sensed His presence and found the joy of worshiping Him “in spite of”. We learned to worship Him for who He is and therefore found an incredible peace in the midst of each storm. All because we have learned to shift the object of our praise from God’s gifts to God alone.

Shifting the praise paradigm = learning to change the object of our praise from God’s gifts to God alone. #trustGod #TuesdayMotivation #RechargeWednesday
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Maybe 2020 was to you like 2012 was to me. And maybe the challenges have not changed at the dawn of this New Year. Maybe they have only intensified.

If that is the case for you today, it is only natural that f you find yourself having a hard time worshiping, weighed down by heavy burdens that threaten to steal your peace. If so, try praying for a shift in your praise paradigm: A re-focus on the object of your praise: from the gift… to the Giver.

Gifts, happiness and peace are so very fleeting. But the Giver, Sustainer, and Peace Maker is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebbrews 13:8)

May His Presence overwhelm you in the midst of the storm.

May you know the peace that surpasses all understanding as you lean on Jesus to be your all.

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Dressed in blue Superman pajamas complete with a red cape, our three-year-old, Brant, thought he could fly. He leaped off furniture onto my cousin and his friend’s backs. At four, Brant fell off of a tall slide and bumped his head. Because he couldn’t remember what happened, I told him we needed to visit the emergency room. He flailed, argued, and refused to cooperate.

“It will be all right. We have to go,” I said, puzzled at his resistance. He quieted and climbed into the car.

The door swooshed shut with the doctor’s exit. Brant turned his brown eyes to me. “Is he going to cut off my legs now?”

“You hurt your head,” I said. “Why would he cut off your legs?”

“Oh. Is he going to cut off my head?”

My breath caught. Our neighbor’s legs had been amputated at a hospital. Brant associated hospitals with amputation. No wonder he’d panicked when I said he had to go to the hospital.

I swallowed the lump of emotion lodged in my throat. My son had trusted me even when he believed he’d lose his legs.

Jesus commends childlike faith. Have you ever wondered what that looks like? @DebbieWWilson #Trust, #RechargeWednesday
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Jesus said, “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 18:4 nlt). Abraham, one of the greatest heroes of the faith, practiced childlike faith. He trusted his Father, even when asked to offer up his only son.

After waiting twenty-five long years to hold this baby, after memorizing every facial expression and savoring every giggle and antic, Abraham could have reasoned with God and begged for a different test. “How can you fulfill your promise if you take Isaac? You’ve already sent Ishmael away. Take me, but, please, don’t take our laughter away.”

But Abraham didn’t argue or bargain. He humbly trusted his heavenly Father. God had promised to give him descendants through Isaac. And God would keep his promise. Abraham’s childlike faith was stronger than a mighty oak.

The Battle between Our Affections

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Our greatest battles are not waged between love and hatred, but between two loves: our love for God and our love for God’s blessings. And the deeper we love, the more difficult is the test.”[i]

Childlike faith knows that God’s tests are not punishments. “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:3–4 NLT).

Abraham began his journey of faith by leaving his home, his family’s gods, and his relatives in order to obey God. Through the decades, each act of obedience strengthened Abraham’s trust in God. He circumcised his men. He lived as a stranger. He sent Ishmael away. Each test stretched Abraham the way exercise leaves you sore but stronger.

Abraham’s grownup faith trusted his Father in the most childlike way. He packed his donkey and set off to sacrifice what he loved most in the world—because he loved God more than anything on earth. Do you love God more than his gifts? Do you trust him with what is most dear to you? Grown-up faith reveals itself in childlike trust.

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.—Hebrews 11:17 (NLT)

Abraham’s grownup faith trusted his Father in the most childlike way. He packed his donkey and set off to sacrifice what he loved most in the world—because he loved God more than anything on earth. @DebbieWWilson #BigGod, #Faith
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Adapted from Little Faith, Big God Copyright © 2020

[i] Warren W. Wiersebe, Run with the Winners (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1985), 81.

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LINKUP is open! This week, my friend @DebbieWWilson reminds us that true faith is childlike faith. Are you trusting God for whom He is or for what He does? Join us!
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As we talked about our children, she shared some of her teen’s struggles with his faith and how she felt like God was stretching her faith.

“Lord, you take care of me, and I take care of them!” she said.

We both burst out laughing, amused by the truth behind the joke.

We were talking about how hard it is for us, moms, to relinquish our children’s care to God, unreservedly. Indeed, our tendency is to pray… and then worry.  And invariably, pick up our children back from the altar of surrender, in an attempt to solve their problems ourselves. We can’t stand the thought of Junior hurting.

What if God allows them to make bad choices? What if the only way their character can be molded is through pain and suffering?

Oh, no, Lord. Not that, please!

Yet, if we believe that God indeed works everything together for our good… and His glory (Romans 8:28), then why do we fret? Can we not look back and realize that we have matured and grown spiritually with our past mistakes? Can we not remember that our bad choices broke us over and over again; making us run to Him who mends the shattered hearts?

Is it really so bad that our teenager or young adult child questions God? Wouldn’t we rather them question Him, prove Him faithful, thus finding Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life… on their own?

Is it really so bad that our teenager or young adult child questions God? Wouldn’t we rather them question Him, prove Him faithful, thus finding Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life… on their own? #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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I personally want my babies to love Jesus because they have experienced Him as their faithful and true friend, not because I told them to. Unfortunately, I also know that they’ll probably have to suffer before their love for the Master is perfected.

I personally want my babies to love Jesus because they have experienced Him as their faithful and true friend, not because I told them to. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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And how will they prove Him if they don’t feel they need Him?

And how will they feel they need Him without pain?

Still… this momma’s heart cringes to think of letting them go…

Meanwhile, God whispers:

“Have I not made them? Knit each one of their cells in your womb?”

“Do I not love them more than you do?”

Do.You.Trust.ME?

“He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Genesis 22:12

It may just be that your call today is similar to Abraham’s, who was asked to bring his only promised son to the altar of sacrifice. The heart of the story was never about Isaac’s life. It was about Abraham’s heart. Likewise, the trials our children go through bring forth an awesome opportunity for our spiritual growth as parents.

You see, in the process of working on our children, God works on us as well: Shaping our prayer life. Strengthening our testimony. Reminding us of His faithfulness. Keeping us dependent upon Him. Teaching us real TRUST, as we bring our most precious possessions to the altar of sacrifice, as if to say: They are yours anyway, Lord.  

These are all good things.

They’re the good that is birthed out of the bad: Closeness to Yahweh. Deeper love. Genuine Trust.

So here is a challenge, my friend:

If your child or anyone else in your life is wandering away from the Master, will you bring him or her to the altar of sacrifice today? Will you choose to trust that the same God who asks you to cease striving and surrender them to Him, will certainly provide the ram for the sacrifice?

If your child or anyone else in your life is wandering away from the Master, will you bring him or her to the altar of sacrifice today? Will you choose to trust that the same God who asks you to cease striving and surrender them to…
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Because just as He did for Abraham, He wants to bless you beyond measure for your faith.

So why don’t we join in prayer, hands held up to Heaven in surrender, calling upon our children’s Maker today:

YOU take care of them, Lord. They’re not mine, anyway.

I.Trust.YOU.

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Hezekiah, king of Judah, is listed as one of the few kings from Israel’s pre-Babylonian captivity days who is described as having had a close relationship with God. This zealous king became keenly aware of the disobedience in Judah, and therefore made the decision to “clean house.” He ordered the destruction of altars that had been built for idol worship, shattered statues, and did not even spare Nehushtan –  the bronze snake used by Moses in the wilderness – because the people stopped looking at it as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and started worshipping it as an idol (2 Kings 18:4).

He cleaned and reopened the temple, which had been shut close by Ahaz, his unfaithful father; and reinstituted the Passover as a national holiday.

Revival descended upon the Southern Kingdom.

Judah was located between two world powers: Egypt and Assyria. Both countries wanted to control it because it was in the middle of a trading route to the Middle East; therefore, the nation that controlled Judah would have an economic advantage over its rivals.

When Hezekiah took the throne, the Assyrian King Sennacherib had besieged Jerusalem. And so, refusing to have the same fate as the northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been taken into captivity by the Assyrian king, king Hezekiah made a courageous move and rebelled against Assyria. He trusted God in the battle, thus defeating the Philistines (2 Kings 18:7).

But something went terribly wrong. Hezekiah became proud of his accomplishments. Later, he unwisely paraded his wealth to the Babylonian delegation, inciting greed in the heart of the Babylonian king (2 Kings 20:12-19). Thus, Babylon, a mighty military power, included Judah in the list of nations to conquer.

As we read on, we see the avalanche that happens when someone once faithful and favored by God, allows pride and unbelief to grasp his or her heart: the Prophet Isaiah tried to warn the King, but to no avail (Isaiah 30-31). Hezekiah took matters into his own hands. In an attempt to secure Judah’s borders, he sought a secret defensive alliance with Pharaoh against Sennacherib of Assyria, thus inciting an entire nation’s rebellion against God, once again.

The Jews started listening to anyone but God. Rather, they secretly sought refuge in the Egyptian’s military prowess.

The “secret” alliance was no secret to God. And so He speaks through Isaiah to the obstinate people:

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen, because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! (…) Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; (…) ” Isaiah 31:1, 3(a)

Judah chose to trust a strange, idolatrous nation for help when all they needed was to believe and trust God.

History repeated itself in the Southern Kingdom.

It repeats itself in many believer’s hearts today.

So many of us go through seasons of great trust in the Lord. We watch His mighty hand at work or recall His wonderful deeds in our lives, and because we choose to walk closely with Yahweh through daily communion with Him, we feel empowered by the memories of times of deliverance, provision and strength. We vow to “clean the temple” and trust in God for all our needs. Those are our Hezekiah, “Part I” moments.

But isn’t it true that the moment we move our eyes from His face, whether because we fail to seek Him daily or allow sin to take over our lives, it becomes easy to see our circumstances as too big for God to handle? Call those our Hezekiah, “The Sequel” moments, if you will. We all have them.

# 1 – We seek the help of “Egypt” instead of quietly relying on God for deliverance.

# 2 – We lean on our own understanding instead of “trust in the Lord with all our heart, in all our ways acknowledge Him,” and quietly wait for Him to “direct our path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 – paraphrased)

# 3 – We become impatient, anxious, and consequently, make hasty decisions.

And we do all these things while God sits on His throne, hands full of promise and power to deliver us from every.single.circumstance.

“As the lion or the young lion growls over his prey, against which a band of shepherds is called out, and he will not be terrified at their voice nor disturbed at their noise, so will the Lord of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and on its hill.” Like flying birds so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; He will pass over and rescue it.” Isaiah 31: 4-5

Oh, Father, help our unbelief!

Help us to open our eyes and see our anxiety for what it is – lack of trust! Faith failure!

Lord, Help us to open our eyes and see our anxiety for what it is – lack of trust! Faith failure! #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation
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Open our eyes that we may see You as our just, compassionate and mighty King, Who is never deterred by the size or strength of our enemies!

Help us to see the Lion of Judah reigning over us, unphased by the chaos of our surroundings, and ever ready to defend our territory, if only we quiet our spirits long enough to let Him!

Help us to see the Lion of Judah reigning over us, unphased by the chaos of our surroundings, and ever ready to defend our territory, if only we quiet our spirits long enough to let Him!
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Take heart, my friend! The Lion of Judah roars over your circumstances today; nothing and no one can stand against Him.

Take heart, my friend! The Lion of Judah roars over your circumstances today; nothing and no one can stand against Him. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation
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Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

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LINKUP party! This week, a challenge to the believer's heart... before you take matters into your own hands, open your spiritual eyes to see the Lion of Judah roaring over your circumstances. Join us & share your blog!
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The post The Lion Is On Your Side! {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:18-22

I was on my way to lunch and as I approached my car, I read my license plate’s frame: “No worries – God’s got it covered!”. I started laughing at myself, thinking of the irony of the statement as I searched my heart that day. I was having one of those days – the devil was on to me, attacking from every front, trying to destroy my testimony, trying to limit my vision to only what I could see at the moment.

Then I read about Abraham and his faith. He did not regard his old body and Sarah’s dead womb. He knew that “God had got it covered”. Looking at the obstacles ahead of him and his limited resources, he chose to trust God, obey and wait on Him. Because of his faith, he has become, as God promised, the “father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)

“He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them.” Romans 4:11

This passage of Scripture stirs my heart up! That is because Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures – just like mine. But because of his faith – and his faith alone – he inherited the promise and was found righteous before God.

Abraham inherited the promise, not because of his good works, his good days or bad days, but because of his solemn trust in God and His Word. That completely changes the paradigm of righteousness – my righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.

My righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.
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And so, on days when my not-so-perfect heart attitude causes me to think I may lose God’s promise, Abraham reminds me that nothing can ever move God’s love and acceptance. It is on those days that I teach my heart to cling to the promise Abraham received and that I inherited in Christ Jesus: the promise that, no matter what happens, God’s plans and promises for my life will be fulfilled.

All I have to do is to trust and obey. One step at a time… Through the rough patches… When people and circumstances threaten to bring the worse in me…  It is in those situations that I must remind my heart that the challenges presented are used to conform me to His image, while He works on the rough edges, teaches me to love unconditionally, forgive always.

On days like that, I remember that worry and fear are simply a waste of time because God’s promises do not change. Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time. Abraham saw his body get older, Sarah’s menopause come, and kept on believing. He kept his eyes on his (unseen) promise.

Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time
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 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

What is the prize that lies before you? Your Promise Land? Something you have been eagerly waiting for?

Do not lose heart, my friend. The One who promises must deliver! Just tell your heart to believe.

As for me, I went back to my car that day and looked at my license plate with less cynical eyes. For I was reminded that when life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, I can trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and where all God’s promises to me were already fulfilled.

Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing, not only my forgiveness, but also the right to confidently believe!

When life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and all God's promises to us were fulfilled.
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The post God MUST deliver IF He Promised appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Lord, I’m too tired to figure this out. I don’t know if we made the right decision.” With that prayer, an Old Testament passage came to mind.

If a young woman makes a vow…and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. …because her father would not let her fulfill them” (Numbers 30:3-5 NLT).

Relief flooded me. I didn’t have to figure it out. Like a good father, my Abba would protect me. “Father, you heard our words. If we jumped too soon, please rescue us. I’m giving this to You.”

I didn’t have to figure it out. Like a good father, my Abba would protect me. #RechargeWednesday @DebbieWWilson
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I asked the designer to wait while we did more research. She understood. In the end, we chose a different option that saved us money. Once I let go of bearing the burden of making the perfect decision and trusted my Father to lead me, I enjoyed the adventure.

The Role of Faith

I know I’m saved “by grace through faith,” but sometimes I forget I’m to live by faith (Romans 1:17). God wants me to include Him in every aspect of life. Jesus modeled this. He relied completely on His Father (John 14:10). Jesus wants us to walk with Him the same way (John 15:4-5).

Living by faith protects us from regret, pleases God, and satisfies us (Hebrews 11:6; John 15:11). Our heavenly Father longs to show up in the mundane tasks of life. When we lean on Him in every area, life becomes an awesome journey.

I find robust faith requires a knowledge of the Word and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Robust faith requires a knowledge of the Word and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. @DebbieWWilson #TrustingGod
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The Word

The Bible says our minds are either shaped by the world or transformed by the Word. Without renewing our minds, we can’t recognize our Father’s good will for our lives.

• “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 GW).
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• Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17 NIV).

The Spirit

The Father sent His Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us (John 14:17).

• “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16 NLT).
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• But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

Maybe your earthly father is no longer here or wasn’t reliable. As we approach Father’s Day you can celebrate your heavenly Father. If you know Jesus, you have a heavenly Father who loves you deeply and covers your back.         

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NIV)

What wakes you up in the middle of the night? Are you learning to rest in the security a good father provides?

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP party is open! On Father's Day week, @DebbieWWilson talks about how our Heavenly Father longs to guide us through life. Join us & share your post! #RechargeWednesdayLinkup
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The post The Security of a Good Father {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

This post was originally published in 2013. God led me to repost it today. I believe it’s for someone who is struggling in their faith. So here is to you, my friend!

Beware of small faith flaws! 

In His Love,

Patricia

“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 6:11

Blogging… Platform… Picture Words… Publishers… Book Proposals… Nerves.

Words and feelings flowed freely for three days as women gathered in North Carolina at the She Speaks Conference 2013. We came from all over the country to learn how to better use our God-given talents as writers and speakers for the Kingdom.

As we assembled to worship, hands lifted high across the room; tears flowed freely down my face. Yahweh’s presence was almost palpable. We met new friends, faces lit with a joy that only Jesus can give. Terri and I left the conference with notebooks filled with new insights for our ministry and a renewed sense of excitement about what God is doing through surrendered women across this Nation. But writing trends and speaking techniques were not the only things I found inside the crowded workshop rooms. Amidst the excitement and expectations on that first day, something happened that revealed a flaw in my faith that I was unaware of.

I’m in the process of writing my first book and the weekend of the conference marked one of the most important landmarks in my writing career so far: I was scheduled to meet with publishers to present my book proposal. After presenting my book idea to the first two publishers, neither were interested enough to request the proposal that I had worked so hard to put together. Sudden discouragement started to weigh me down. That’s when the Spirit nudged me to retreat to the conference’s prayer room.

In the darkness and silence of that room, a terrible wave of insecurity washed over me. I was walking among women with amazing stories of accomplishment; women who were published not once, but twice, or as much as seven times over! All of a sudden, my tiny writing world came crashing down on me, in a way that I was not expecting. The old inadequacy monster haunted me. Familiar voices echoed in my mind, voices that accused me of being arrogant for writing in a language that is not even my native tongue.

I was about to start hyperventilating when it happened. As clearly as the sunshine now piercing through my office window, I heard God whisper: “You will not get up from this place until you surrender your unbelief to Me.”

“Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b

Just a couple days before leaving for the conference, God used this familiar passage in Joshua to strengthen me for the journey ahead. His message that day filled me with gratitude for His sufficiency and grace. I was reminded that the book I’m writing was His idea, not mine. From the title to the outline, He has been guiding each step in the process. I finished my prayer time that morning with a supernatural assurance of His calling. Yet, only a couple of days later, all my confidence seemed to vanish at the first obstacle I encountered.

The Onion

As I walked out of that prayer room, the picture of an onion came to my mind. Yes, an onion, of all things! You see, I love to cook. In my opinion, the secret to great cooking is lots of flavoring. Herbs, seasonings and essences fill my kitchen spice cabinet. Garlic and onions are on top of my list of favorite cooking flavors.

If you have ever cooked with fresh onions before, you are likely to have come across one that looks beautiful on the outside, but as you sliced it open, a dark brown rotten layer is revealed. If you are careful to remove that one spoiled layer, you are able to use the rest of the onion to flavor your dish. But if you leave it as is, the decayed layer will certainly ruin your otherwise delicious dinner.

At that moment in the conference’s prayer room, I realized how easily our faith can become like a rotting onion. How many times do we allow life’s often overwhelming circumstances overshadow God’s promises to us? How many times do we proclaim our belief in God for provision, or healing, or direction, just to find ourselves fretting over tomorrow?  Those small traces of unbelief, though so very natural and seemingly harmless, must be revealed and dealt with, if we are to receive God’s blessings and fulfill His purpose for our lives.  Much like with onions, these flashes of unbelief reveal a small layer of faith flaw which quickly contaminates our soul, if not removed promptly.

Those small traces of unbelief, though so very natural and seemingly harmless, must be revealed and dealt with, if we are to receive God’s blessings and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
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The Sacrifice of Unwavering Faith

More than anything we can do for God’s Kingdom, He wants our sacrifice of unwavering faith. The same sacrifice that Abraham offered God as he laid down his promised son on the altar. His faith shouted to endless generations to come that the God who promises is faithful to provide. We must kneel down and not get up, until we fully surrender any form of unbelief to the One to whom nothing is impossible!

More than anything we can do for God’s Kingdom, He wants our sacrifice of unwavering faith.
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As for me, this conference has shown me I have a lot to learn as a writer and speaker. But more than that, it’s taught me to be ever alert to signs of unbelief in my heart.

In case you wonder, my book proposal was requested by three publishers the next day. And although I am excited and grateful, only God knows if this is the perfect time for my book to be released. All I know is this: He started the work and He will bring it to pass. When? In His perfect time. I have no doubt today that He will fulfill His purpose for my life completely, so long as I trust and obey.

The rotten layer in my onion has been removed. For now, at least. I know this was not the first and it won’t be the last time my heart will try to trick me into distrusting my God.

What about you? If we cut through your faith’s “onion”, would we see a dark, smelly layer? If so, I urge you to kneel down and surrender it.

Surgically.remove.it. For your good and His glory, do not get up until you lie your unbelief down at the foot of the cross. He is waiting with open arms.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The post Beware of Faith-Flaws appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Leave room for Jesus.”

That’s what we’d tease dating friends who always seemed to want to be close to each other. It was a light-hearted way to remind them that God’s way is better than our way.

The principle applies to much more than just purity in relationships though.

Franklin Graham, in his autobiography Rebel With a Cause, describes “God-room.” A mentor of his explained it this way:

“Listen, Buddy, ’God room’ is when you have seen a need you believe God wants you to meet. You try, but you can’t…That’s when you pray and leave room for God to work. You watch God close that gap.”

There are many reasons why it’s hard to leave that space for God to work…

Instead of walking by faith we like to stand on it, stick straight, saying, ‘Lord, I believe. I’ll take the next step when you light the path.’
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Faith requires acting before knowing for sure.
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Sometimes God points a direction, and, without explaining much, we’re just to obey and go that way. Obscurity, uncertainty included. That happened over and over again in Scripture.
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Notice that Hebrews 11:1 doesn’t say ‘Faith is waiting for things to be seen,’ but that ‘faith is the conviction of things unseen.’
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But then, think of what wouldn’t happen if we didn’t sometimes give up on ourselves and leave God-room…

Without faith, we’d never see more accomplished than humanly possible. The church wouldn’t have lasted past Christ’s ascension. You and I would still have no hope except for ourselves- and we can’t save ourselves. We would be living like we did before we knew Jesus and trusted Him for everything.

Without the God-gap, life would be like a land of rivers, lakes, and seas—with no bridges.

Today, I want to look at the chasms I can’t fathom crossing as opportunities to watch God work. How about you?

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP PARTY is open! Today, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath invites us to look at the gaps we cannot bridge on our own as opportunities to see God at work. Join us and share your post!
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The post Leave God-Room (Recharge Wednesday LINKUP) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.