Category: Encouragement

/ˈstedˌfast/  adj.
  a.   to be firm, stable, established.
  b.   firmly fixed in place.
  c.   not subject to change, determined.

It can be easy to lose sight of the purpose in the day-in-day-out routine of life. God desires for us to walk into each and every day remembering that there is eternal weight and significance in the good works He has predestined for us (Eph 2:10). Whether it be at home, in your workplace, your church, or your school there is nothing insignificant or without purpose. Today’s culture is constantly telling us to chase entertainment, distraction, and comfort — so the temptation is to become complacent, discouraged, undisciplined, or lazy in our daily routines and habits. In Galatians 6:9, Paul exhorts the believers:

“Let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap
if we do not lose heart.”

What we sow today we will reap in the future, which always leads me to ask myself the question: are the habits, thoughts, choices and routines I’m creating today pushing me towards Christ or away from Him? There are always consequences for our actions & we must be aware of them — not unobservant bystanders!

God’s Word talks so much of the fact that we are soldiers in a spiritual battle: called to be courageous, vigilant, and alert. Just as a soldier prepares, trains, and anticipates warfare; we are called to do the same!

Instead of becoming frantic, confused or paralyzed like the world when things are uncertain or trials and doubts come God desires His children to be confident, steadfast, and abiding in the love & victory that belong to us thru His victory. And while I desire those qualities to characterize my life I know that I frequently fail. The Lord has been challenging me to lean into those hard questions & identifying those areas in my life where I am complacent, allowed compromise, or have settled for less…

I’ve read my Bible; but have I sought Him diligently & wholeheartedly?
I’ve prayed; but have I waited patiently in His presence for His peace? 
I’ve worshiped; but have I surrendered? 

I know who He has promised to be and believe that He is —but do I believe that He will be that to me?

Thru His Holy Spirit, He has given us all we need to walk in faith and boldness. Like the verse at the beginning of this post says: we do not have to fear bad news! Our hearts can be steadfast, trusting, secure, and fearless because:

“everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
– 1 John 5:4

But the LORD God called out:
“Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9

— After Adam & Eve sinned in the garden their first reaction was to hide…because their spirits’ died and they realized their sin & unrighteousness.  They felt the gravity and reality of death: something they had never felt or experienced before—they knew nothing would ever be the same. Shame, guilt, & regret plagued them. So they hid. 

But what they thought they could hide—God knew. And as they huddled, dreading the thought of being found, God calls out “Where are you?” — not because He couldn’t find them, but because He wanted Adam and Eve to know that He was pursuing them. He wasn’t going to leave them. Their sin now separated them from Him and they forfeited being able to enjoy unhindered fellowship with God, but He hadn’t forsaken them.

Do you know that feeling of wanting to be alone, wanting to hide because the weight of condemnation and sin is too heavy — wanting to just disappear because you’re thinking: “If they only knew.” You’re scared they won’t accept you or will look at you differently. We’ve all been there. Feeling like we’d rather hide than step into the light and be known…

But you know the freedom that comes when someone calls out: “Where are you?” — God’s voice to Adam and Eve in the garden must’ve brought dread to their hearts and yet I imagine His voice also brought a sense of relief and amazement to their hearts. The fact that God — who is all-knowing — was calling out for them. He was still pursuing. He knew and that didn’t stop Him.

They hid & God called out. 

That’s the whole narrative of the Bible; God’s unrelenting pursuit of sinful and rebellious man and He never-ending desire to save us and restore fellowship. That’s the gospel:

When I was without hope, destined to live a life dead in my sin: ashamed, condemned and hiding — God called.

When I thought my world had ended and I had ruined any chance of redemption. When I believed I was too far gone and God could never forgive me… — God called

He called with a voice of love, forgiveness, grace and mercy: “Where are you?” A voice that told me: “I see you. I know where you are and where you’ve been and I’m here. Let Me lead you out of this place and give you life where there’s been death and light where there’s been darkness.”

His voice is never one of condemnation.

We must come out of hiding &
stop believing that He has given up on us. 

Because we can never hide from His love.

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"But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach Him ..." - Galatians 1:15-16a

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" What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one — for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one — for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
                       - Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)

"I am always with You,

You hold me by my right hand,

You guide me with Your counsel" 

I read that verse in Psalm 73:23-24 and the imagery struck me.  Have you ever seen a dad holding the hand of his young daughter as they walk or cross the street?  Do you know that feeling of security and assurance?  Many times the child doesn’t have to worry about where they are going, they must only stay by their parent’s side and keep their hand in the strong, secure grip of their parent’s…

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…and I thought of my heavenly Father and the abandoning sense of trust and confidence I can have; knowing that He is guiding and leading.

When I read this verse I felt God speak to my heart: “I’m holding you. Even when you’re unsure, I’m guiding you. Keep your hand in mine.”

How foolish of me to fear or worry when God Almighty: the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Maker of heaven and earth, and Savior of my soul is holding my hand.

All of a sudden whatever is causing anxiety disappears in light of the knowledge that He is holding me.

God desires to hold your hand and guide you. As a matter of fact, He promises to!  But we must let Him. We must keep our hand in His and walk by faith; even when we are unsure and cannot see the final destination.

How beautiful is that!!? Meditate on that & I pray it brings comfort and joy to your heart  ♥