Complete Your Calling

Always In Training

“There is still the youngest” Jesse replied. But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats. 1 Samuel 16: 11 (NLT)

In my devotion time this morning, I read about David’s inception into leadership. Although, I have read this many times, I stumbled over more information that made me appreciate the journey more and more. If you have not had the opportunity to read about young David, who would become king David, who God called a “man after His own heart”; it’s a stunning story about what is takes to become a leader. You can read all about this in 1st Samuel.

Many look at leadership as a source of power, but many in leadership do not embody power at all. Why? well, because that power can only be sourced through the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. David was hand picked by God, not man selected by committees. Even Jesse; David’s own earthly father counted him out and mentioned him last to Samuel before bringing him in front of this well known priest/prophet. The Lord confirms to Samuel by saying “This is the one; anoint him” ( 1 Sam 1:12b).

As I gleaned over this, I thought about everything David was doing in that time and realized, he was in training. He was a shepherd boy, tending to his father’s flock. He was also a musician skilled in playing the harp. He was described to king Saul as a brave warrior, a man of war, and with good judgment. One statement that struck out to me that made this even more of a poignant description was that the “Lord is with him” ( 1Sam 1:18).

I pondered over the importance of having the Lord with us and how we never know what is being said about us when we are not around. That speaks to character – which can only truly be lived out righteously with Him in our lives. Leaders without character are like shells without any filling. Leaders without the Holy Spirit are like pools devoid of water-empty and dry. Once Samuel anointed David, the Bible states that the “Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on” (1 Sam 1:13).

He stepped into a different level in that moment spiritually. He may have been overlooked before and even in that moment by his entire family and community, but God saw something in him that was undeniable. He even becomes king Saul’s armor bearer (1 Sam 16:21), a prestigious title that continued to prepare him for his eventual assignment as king.

So the next time you question your season or seasons of training, think about the humble beginnings that David walked through. He was appointed for a such a time and took hold of what he was directed and assigned to. And you know what, no matter how flawed, and how overlooked, or how broken we feel, we can too.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

A Tested Heart

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 (NLT)

Have you ever read a Bible verse and felt immediately convicted? Well, after reading this verse, I kept thinking of the many ways God tests my heart daily. I asked myself “I wonder what grade did I get and what is my average GPA in this area?” In church last weekend, we talked about the true meaning of love. This definition is defined as “disinterested benevolence” , which in a nut shell means to be “empty of all selfish intent” as our pastor delineated. I have to admit, the first thing I thought was “whew” and then I let out a sigh; realizing the many times I have come up short.

I kept thinking about that all week long, meditating on 1 Cor 13: 4-8, and repenting of conditional love or not truly displaying this type of love routinely. I was tested in this area this week and when the flesh began to rise over my spiritual desire, I had to reposition my focus and renew my mind on this verse. I had to consider the way I love and how that is seen in action by others daily.

When I read this verse in Proverbs, it made me realize the purpose of the tested heart. Like precious metals gold and silver, the heart (where our decisions, affections, desires and choices are centered around), must also be tested through fire in order to remove impurities that create love with condition, which can be rooted in selfishness. Is this a challenge? Yes, EVERYDAY! This will be challenging until we breathe our last breath on earth, but Thank God for unconditionally loving us so that we can attempt to mirror our Maker.

So, the next time you are under intense overwhelming heat and you are being tested, ask yourself: “how is my heart? how am I loving others and myself? what impurities need to be removed? and have I committed them to God for help?”

Stay Refined and Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Delighted in the Journey

The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord, who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed for the Lord is holding his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (BSB)

I was thinking about this “journey” that we are all on. We are walking this life thing out daily. This life is filled with many highs, lows, ups, and downs and it is a process of “getting there”, not the end of arriving. I started asking God, “are you delighted in my journey?” I must admit, there was a twinge of conviction that flickered as I am realizing that there have been times when I clearly heard from God to do something, and I did not.

I recognize the heart of repentance cannot be void of conviction and I am grateful for even noticing. In my list of prayers that I have in my notebook, one of the them is that God’s desires become all of our desires. In thinking about what that takes to accomplish, I think this is the point of arrival. When we let Gods will and His way become paramount in our daily life, we are allowing Him to order our steps.

This takes such a heart of surrender that is often mired in our carnal nature and earthly desire to “arrive” based on material , personal, or professional achievements. But God is still so gracious and loving to understand that although we will continually fall, He has us by the hands. The journey of truly ordering our steps is the process of arriving to the fullness of our true self in Him.

Let us commit to allowing Him to assist.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Prayer

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Photo by M. u2b50 GodShepherdly 33277089* on Pexels.com

Prayer– such a powerful word often misused or taken for granted. Late 2023, I started a book on this topic entitled “Prayer” by E.M. Bounds. As soon as I began reading the pages, the information was so heavy and rich, that I realized it would take me many months to get through this book. The words are like arrows penetrating my heart and convicting me of my own prayer life. I have often said that one of the most influential individuals in the Bible for me, is praying Ana in Luke 2. Although she is mentioned very briefly, her prayer life demonstrated one in which I respect and desire to emulate.

And the Holy Spirit began pricking my heart more about this area last year. So I started this new season with a deeper longing to embody a more powerful transformative prayer life, which begins with partnering with the Holy Spirit by removing my preconceived notions on how or what to pray for. I admit there are some days when I may be overwhelmed with the world, life, or something stirring within, but knowing that God is hearing, that the Holy Spirit is operating, and that Jesus is also interceding, provides the most sacred daily experience.

This year that we are blessed to be in, will be one that we have never experienced before. We will encounter many opportunities where prayer will be the most critical element for any change, but it is not just about the prayer, it is about our commitment to Gods will and our own actions. E.M Bounds wrote something that has ministered to me very deeply. He writes, “We cannot divorce praying from conduct“. And as we seek God in prayer, I pray that we all begin to examine our ways, our life, our influence, our actions, and our faith for what we are submitting to God in prayer.

Be Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Grace In Chaos

When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah “Go into the boat with all of your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. (Gen 7:1; NLT)

A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them. (Gen 7:16; NLT)

In prayer this morning, as I read through my prayer request, I had the title of this devotional written and circled. As I scrolled back virtually in my mind, I think I must have jotted this down over 4 months ago. I knew at some point God would give me the words to flesh this out and between yesterday and today, the words began to spring forth within my spirit.

This is a new year and if you have been following this spiritual journey that I have been on and if you have known me long enough, you know how much I love reading the Bible. This year me and one of my besties started a new translation where I referenced this morning’s scriptures from. After reading the experience of Noah and his family, I marveled at the grace God gave Noah (and his immediate family) during this time.

If you have never studied what occurred during that time, I recommend reading Genesis 6-9. In summary, the world had become so evil, everything you can imagine was happening at that time, similar to now. And in the midst of that, God found only one individual who was considered righteous; Noah. Think about that for a moment, only one person in the entire world had a pure heart, intention, and utter devotion to honor God.

Because of Noah, his entire family was spared and God provided grace (unmerited favor) to him and his family for Noah’s obedience and commitment to our Creator. That time must have been very chaotic and unsettling for Noah. I was imagining him watching his other family members, maybe friends, neighbors, business associates, and perhaps employees live a morally compromised life. He built that ark (large boat) by the detailed instruction according God’s commands. He did not deviate. This can only be accomplished by partnership with the Lord.

Noah was probably ridiculed and persecuted for building something that was never conceived of before. It was most likely a lonely experience, but he obeyed the instruction of the Lord. And, when everything was ready, it was God who shut the door of the ark and it was God who saved and prepared him for that time. Like Noah, God is preparing us for this time, but where are we spiritually really?

I believe that we are living in a time where we should have that Noah like obedience, faith when it does not make sense, and focus on the eternal implications of our daily earthly decisions.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Encouraged By Each Other’s Faith

For I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:11-12, 17 (BSB)

Last night or should I say this morning, I had a very vivid three part dream that I immediately wrote down before it vanished from my consciousness. In part two of this dream, someone questioned me about my level of faith. In the dream, I was taken aback by the directness, but realized this morning that it tied to a devotional title I had written in the back of my Bible with these scriptural references to write about when led.

And without a shadow of a doubt, this morning, I felt led. I recognize how the world can potentially dampen our faith in what God is doing in our life. Life is hard, complicated, questionable, mysterious, burdensome, and sometimes very turbulent. But life in Christ provides us with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, to provide proper context for daily living. If you need a reminder, these fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Gal 5:22, BSB).

In reading Romans, 1, I reflected on Paul’s letter to this church in Rome and his desire to join with them to not only encourage them but to be encouraged by their faith. I think this is so important, especially today. God gives us others in the faith to help us stay encouraged and on track spiritually. But how many times do we try to isolate and self-manage? And how does that normally work out?

We were all given specific spiritual gifts to edify each other. Whether its wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, or being able to prophecy; they all come from the Holy Spirit (See 1 Cor 12:7-11 for the complete list). And these are given to us to assist each other, to keep each other accountable, and to help each other through life’s twists and turns.

I pray that in your time with God, He reveals to you your specific spiritual gift(s), that you embrace it/them, that you try not to isolate yourself, and that you use it to encourage your sphere of influence. There are eternal consequences and rewards that we may forget about day to day, but with the right individuals in our life, that focus will become our mainstay.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment

His Truth, His Light

“And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God” (John 3:19-21 BSB)

I was reading the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in my morning devotion time as I was thinking about how dark the world is becoming and continues to become. In this time, I am grateful to know the Word and desire to read it, as I hope you are too. There is a new echo of His nearness that I have been feeling more and more, which if I can be honest, has made me more unsettled in my flesh. Can you feel it too?

A few weeks ago, I thought, and said out loud; “Jesus, I don’t know how you did it, but I thank You for your sacrifice”. I was astounded by what He went through and endured on account of saving us from sins that we committed and have not even committed yet. He literally went through every emotion that we have felt without sinning and then took on all of our sins, for us. That is truth. That is Light. No wonder He said “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:9).

Then something that I knew became more even more evident. Light makes others who do not possess it uncomfortable. The presence of the Holy Spirit can be disruptive and exposing; which many cannot appreciate. As we are led by this truth, and practice truth, in a very untruthful and evil world, it will cause chaos and commotion.

But this is the path that we are on and if we are here and if we are walking life out in faith, being led by the Spirit and not our flesh; we too will harness that light. Let us keep striving to practice truth daily. It may seem foreign to the world, but that makes sense. Even Jesus was not accepted by many, but look how much he has changed and disrupted the world, just for us.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Carefully Observant

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:1-4) BSB

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A couple of weeks ago, I was in my morning devotional time struggling after a long week of unnecessary workplace antics. I was sitting in prayer, more so perplexed in prayer wrestling with many different emotions. As I journaled, I questioned “where do I fit in the pieces?” And in true form, as usual, the very reading that was in my plan literally addressed the exact question that I asked Heavenly Father, just moments before.

Jesus’ spoke to the disciples during His time on earth and I so felt His message is revelatory for the time and season we are in right now as His current disciples. Power and leadership have a funny way of drawing out what matters most to those that “sit in Moses’ seat” or in positions of authority. Although we are in systems, we do not have to be influenced by them. This reminded me of the significance of Romans 12:2, a verse that resides in my frontal lobe and within my spirit as I attempt to navigate my environment during these treacherous times.

And although the world’s way may get likes and accolades, what does it all mean if God is not pleased and the Holy Spirit is grieved? I know now that we really need the full armor of God to not conform, because the times will become more difficult not to fall into the enemies snare. As we continue to walk in these times, let us not be deceived by enemies subtleties. Let us stand firm in the faith and gird up-before it is too late.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Delight in His Nearness

For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God. Isaiah 58: 2 (BSB)

I chuckled when I saw this image for this devotional because if you were in my office right now, you would see three open Bibles that I use daily during my devotional time. This morning was no different as I sought God with a deeper craving for intimacy after a busy week and if I could be honest, wasted time that could have been used more constructively by putting in moments to build our relationship with intentional focused fellowship.

“Sorry Lord”, I whispered under my breath after retrospectively contemplating the many layers of these scripture versus and the busyness of this time sucking world that attempts and if we let it, win by stripping us away from precious time that could be devoted in prayer and worship. So, this morning, I reset after my repent and dwelled in His nearness and oh how delightful it was.

When reading these versus, I ventured over to one that can be a tough pill to swallow but that correlates to “delighting in His ways”. Isaiah 59:2 which was a warning to God’s people many years ago, but one in which we can apply today. Isaiah states in this verse “but your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.” And if we are honest, I am sure something comes to mind right now that we need to surrender to Him.

“Why”? you may ask and I believe it is because it is for our best interest and for our protection. To delight in the nearness is to love what God loves and to hate what He hates. He loves us, but not our sin. He delights in us, but not in our iniquity. He will draw near to us if we draw near to Him, but that involves dying to self and turning back to Him, daily.

If you are in a space, where you sense God asking you what He asked Adam in the garden: “_______________ (your name), where are you?”, be honest, because He already knows. Spend time mediating on these versus and delight in His nearness. He has so much to tell you, but the further in sin you are, the harder it is to hear Him clearly. I am speaking from experience and recognize how tangible is His presence.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Would You Rather?

For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. Psalm 84:10-11 (BSB)

I stumbled upon these beautiful scripture verses a few weeks ago. At the time, I was working my way through the book of Psalm as part of reading through the Bible in a year. I etched out a note in the back of the Bible, because the imagery and contrast by the author lept off the page and into my heart. These verses described perfectly how I have been feeling lately.

Everything is changing rapidly and finding moments to reflect on what is truly important, leads to new found revelation. In just looking at these verses, it is clear what matters most to the author. To be near to God in any capacity supercedes all other company; especially those who are not of God.

I started to think about times when I allowed others to occupy a space and consume valuable time that could have been spent just dwelling in His presence. I had to ask for forgiveness since I now recognize how much more precious it is to sit at the feet of Jesus, even if just at His doorstep. A moment alone with Him, provides such peace, clarity, and love-something the world continues to attempt to take away.

God is so very near, but how much time are we giving away on frivolity and unrestricted company? I thank Him for being there. For being sun and shield, warmth and shade, covering and protection. I pray that we can meditate on these verses and get back to what matters- devoting focused time in His presence without conflict of interest.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.