shadow

doubt

Part 2 Wanted: Wisdom – Calm Seas

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“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 NASB

As a petite, skinny, freckled-face girl of eight or nine, our family travelled to St. Simon’s Island, GA, for vacation one summer. Playing in the ocean with my siblings, floating on inner tubes, and riding the waves brought much pleasure. But there was one day the sea was rougher than usual due to strong winds. I can remember attempting to paddle out on my float when suddenly the churning surf capsized and tumbled me relentlessly with its power. Not knowing if I was right side up or upside down, I eventually surfaced sputtering and spewing salty water that had gone up my nose. With eyes stinging and bathing suit full of sand, I fought to maintain my footing against the waves. My little frame, working hard to get back to shore, plunged forward with the waves only to succumb to the backward pull of the current. Finally, with great determination (and fear for my life), I made it to the shore, decided to call it quits, and promptly headed for the calmer waters of the hotel pool!

Our theme verse today emphasizes that asking for wisdom must be in faith. If we ask and then hesitate or have reservations, we are like waves blown about by the wind that come rushing up on shore, then quickly recede, back and forth, back, and forth. Doubt, like the wind, blows in from all directions, causing distractions and leaving us vulnerable, unstable, and unsure. The ways and ideas of the world rush in to invade our faith in God and stir up waves of indecision, back and forth, back, and forth.

The surf is great for beach lovers and thrill seekers. However, those who seek wisdom require a steady faith, not one that is wishy washy and constantly changing. Faith, like calm seas, will provide the much needed and longed-for serenity, security, and steadfastness. Our request for wisdom is sure to follow. [Digging deeper – Matthew 17:20, 21:21-22; Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 11:1, 6]

Stay tuned for Part 3 Wanted: Wisdom – One Head, Not Two!

Smooth sailing,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: images courtesy of: pixabay.com

FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL: BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

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Jesus is calling us…issuing a special invitation. Will you accept?

 

BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

“Faithful is He who calls you and He will do it!” 

I Thessalonians 5:24, NLT”

“I don’t know how I’m going to do all this Lord. So much is happening in the ministry, good things, in so many different places. You know I’m not equipped to handle it! It’s way above my head God. I see the giants all around us. What do I do?”

The room was dark and Tom slept soundly beside me, muffled snores the only thing breaking the silence. And, of course, my thoughts were whirling as I lay beside him, wide awake at 3:00 a.m. Getting up for the third time, I decided to start reading Deuteronomy, hoping I’d fall asleep within seven verses.

Instead of making me fall asleep, God used what I call “the Reminder Book,” Deuteronomy, to remind me again of His faithful leading since the time He called me to this mission of Zookeepers Ministries. He reminded me He was the One who has done it, and will continue to do it. My calling is simply to obey, to speak the truth of His Word in love, and to follow His lead.

And to do it at His speed: baby step by baby step, or running with Him, however He chooses.

And He reminded me not to be afraid of the giants that try to stand in the way of the mission. They will fall as He commands.

That is God’s promise to us. He has a mission, a plan, for all our lives. When we let Him, He will do it in and through us.

Back in bed, I finally fell asleep sometime after 4:30 a.m.  Upon awakening a mere three hours later, I read Tami Carr’s Daily Dose of Encouragement, (September 19). I quote, “If there is one thing perfectly clear in this passage, it is that God takes responsibility for the success of the mission while Samuel’s response to God’s instructions is obedience …God is faithful to do what He says He will do. He is responsible for keeping His Word. We, like Samuel, must be obedient and trust Him to accomplish His plan in and through us.”

Confirmation. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you need it most. Yes, the mission He started twelve years ago will move forward as He leads. We will not stop because of giants in the land.

Dear Sister, has God called you a mission, and you’ve been afraid to move forward? Are the giants, the enemies of God’s plan, plaguing you with doubt? Don’t listen! Join us on mission, because God has a plan for you!

Ponder these things as you go about life today, and listen to this song as you begin the pondering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JI4CPfuLW0

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Companion,

Brenda

 

DISCERNING GOD’S VOICE TO FIND GOD’S VICTORY: THE PROMISED VICTORY

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“God thunders marvelously with His voice; 

He does great things which we cannot comprehend.”

JOB 37:5

Sometimes the best encouragement comes through a true story, especially one that shows the mighty hand of God to be at work among us. Instead of the usual format, I’d like to encourage you this week with a true story. Each day the Encouragement will continue as the story unfolds. You don’t want to miss a single day!

 

THE PROMISED VICTORY

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, 

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

I John 4:4

What a promise! In I John 4:4 God promises that we can overcome the voice of the enemy, if we have received Christ into our lives. If you do not know Him, click here (Janice insert link)  to learn how to have a relationship with God through Him.

FRIDAYThis week we have learned to discern God’s voice by understanding that His Voice will never contradict His Word. He will always confirm what He whispers in your heart by what He wrote in His written Word. His mercy and grace won the victory over my doubt and worry. He will win over your doubt and worry too … just call out to Him.

He proved this truth in the story I’ve shared this week. His Word told us to go, when that voice said to stay. Our reward was to see the men, women, boys and girls stand to receive Christ as Savior. What a blessing to hear the laughter of children’s voices as they had new shoes placed on their feet, ate hotdogs, and learned of God’s love for them personally.

And although the children may not realize it yet, the missionary visitors delivered something else for their parents that week. Something to make their single moms smile again, and for those who have moms and dads, something to make them smile at each other again. They delivered and shared the Word of God which, when followed, brings families back together. And that is exactly what is happening!

That was why the battle for Nicaragua 2015 raged so persistently for a year. I praise God that He did not let me listen to that voice but that He countered that voice with His own through the written Word of God.

In addition, we have learned that the international mission field is not the only place that the battle for our minds takes place. The battle rages every single day right here in America. Sometimes it’s right in our own territory. For me, right here on Topsail beach in sunny North Carolina. It raged when the enemy tried to use a black widow spider to steal my peace, joy, and rest. Rest promised to us in Matthew 11:28-30. Because you see, the battle rages right where we feel the most comfortable, when and where we least expect it … between husbands and wives, family members and friends … in our schools and universities. The battle rages over the souls of our children and youth, because the enemy wants to steal our kids for his own kingdom of darkness. We must wake up and refuse to let him win!

The enemy did not win in the story I’ve shared this week, and he does not have to win in your story either. Because …

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, 

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Until Next Time,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda