Love or fear?

I was busy reading a book yesterday and the author commented that “all our actions come from one of two basic emotions – fear or love.” Wow, I couldn't agree more and I haven't thought about it in this way before. I started thinking of the motive behind why I do the things I do. Out of love or fear?

I started thinking about the kind of life that I want to live with God, at the office, at home and in relationships. A life of love or fear? Why do I stay at my current job? Because I am passionate or because I fear that I won't have enough money if I  do something which I am passionate about? Why do I spend time with certain people? Because I love them, care for them or because I'm too scared to be alone?

We can all recognise love and passion in our lives and it brings joy, freedom and life. God is the ultimate example of love. He is love and love is everywhere where His Spirit and presence are on earth. We can all also recognise fear in our lives and it breeds anxiety, stress, shame, doubt and limits us. Lies breed fear. When we are close to breakthrough or a new adventure in our lives, fear can step in and limit us. Breaking limits and overcoming fear takes courage and if we want a life that goes beyond the normal, fear will always try and takes us down first. We have a choice, life is a choice, God created choice not robots.

Fear does not help anyone, fear does not set us free, but it keeps us in bondage. How do we overcome fear? If God is asking you to take a new step, then you need to learn to trust Him, to have faith. God will give you everything you need to overcome your fear, but it starts with you and it starts with faith. The Bible says that even when we are faithless, God is faithful. When you are faithless, take your faithlessness to Him. Ask Him for the faith you need. The Bible says that He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He starts and perfects our faith. The Bible says that faith comes from hearing the Word. Read your Bible and find out what it says about you and about God and about who you are, because you have put your faith in Jesus. It empowers you, it makes your courage grow and it catapults you to new heights.

Lay your fears down at His feet. Let Him carry your burdens, you are not alone. Tell Him that you are putting your faith in Him today and read the word of God so that you can know Who you now are in Jesus. Start reading 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and start to see that you are a new creation. Read Romans 8 and learn about life in the Spirit, that you are heirs with Christ and God’s everlasting love for you. God is for you, not against you. He loves you and He’s calling you to greater things. Do not let fear of the unknown hold you back. What kind of life do you want to live? Cling to the things of love, cut loose the bonds of fear and start living the life you always dreamed of.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“if we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Song: Jesus Culture – Holy Spirit(AMAZING!!) 

Picture credit: Julia Stotlar 

Live while waiting

We have all had to wait for something in some or other stage in our lives. Whether it is for a holiday, promotion, a partner to love, provision, healing or a promise from God, waiting can be difficult. It can be a rollercoaster journey of highs and lows, where some days are better than others. People around you celebrate victories and blessings while it feels as if your life is standing still.

The thing that you are waiting for doesn't even have to be something big or maybe you are waiting for something to end rather than to start. We easily start developing the mentality of 'when' that thing ends or happens 'then' I will do this and that. Jesus says “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” and that is what He has for us every day, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

When we start putting life on hold because we are waiting, then we open a door for impatience, frustration and doubt to creep in and our days drag on. This happens when we take our eyes off life and God and we start focusing on the situation or the thing that we are waiting for. The trick is not to live waiting, but to live while waiting.

I'm reading Nick Vujicic's new book Unstoppable and he always says that if you haven't received your miracle (yet), be the miracle for others. His positive attitude has inspired millions of people, in spite of the fact that he was born without arms and legs. If you haven’t heard of him yet, I encourage you (and your children) to watch some of his videos on YouTube or read his books. He is truly an inspiration.

Decide today to make the best of each day, no matter what challenge you are going through. Waiting can be incredibly hard, but when we tap into the daily plan which God has for us we realise that there is joy to be found in every circumstance. It’s all about your attitude and the manner in which you approach your day. Do not allow your circumstances to isolate you from the life God has for you, rather reach out to God and others around you. If you are struggling, do not be discouraged, Paul says: “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in (your) weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:9-10

Do not let your days be dulled by waiting, but live as if you have received everything you need, because Jesus has already given us His strength, joy, peace and love so that we can live each day to the fullest.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

Picture credit: chindiandreams

God, what do you want me to do?



“God, what do you want me to do?” is a question that people often ask and can actually lead to anxiousness at times. Sometimes you may become quite tense about it, thinking that you want to be the best child of God that you can be and you want to do all that God has for you to do etc… etc...

I totally understand where this line of thinking comes from. Meeting Jesus is an incredible experience and it makes you question your career, who you married, where you live, what you are studying or you suddenly feel like selling everything you have and becoming a missionary or something, but this is not what Jesus necessarily asks us to do.

“Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.” 1 Cor 7:20-24

We cannot just quit our jobs, studies or marriages for that matter. Yes, we have found a God much greater than ourselves and we want to serve Him, but my suggestion at first is just relax. Not very profound hey? So hear me out…

We cannot help but think that we are so amazing that we need to help God plan our lives and what is best for us. When in actual fact, He has it all planned out without our input. Remember He knows you inside and out and He knows what your input and desires would have been and He has already shaped the plan to fit all of those. All that we need to do is walk with Him. Our responsibility is to keep our heart soft and open towards Him and our ears tuned to His voice. We do not need to try and think what He’s thinking and figure it all out. Just be yourself, the best version of yourself that you know you can be at this stage and grow with Jesus. He doesn’t need anything else from you. He will let you know when it’s time to quit your job or maybe move to another area. He will ask you to change degrees or to start something new. He will be the instigator and we just need to stop poking our noses in His business and relax and serve Him faithfully wherever we find ourselves at the moment.

Today I just want to set some people free from that “what do I do next” anxiety. God knows what is next and He’ll let you know when it’s time to move. If you have questions, write them down and ask Him (once) and wait for His answer, He has heard you. Spend time rather focussing on what He is doing around you at this moment and build into that. I used to tell myself often “you are exactly where God wants you to be” and this brought peace to my heart and the desires burning within it.

I have learnt that it is not so much about receiving the direction from God beforehand that is important, but being ready to act when the direction comes. Life is a journey with Him and not a puzzle we need to figure out. When we walk with open hearts towards Him, always desiring His will, He will not leave us alone in the field. He knows us and we know that He will show us the way, He is the shepherd after all. God will always use a willing heart, it's all about the heart, so if you are willing, be sure that He will speak to you and lead you.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-5

Beyond your wildest dreams!

                                                    
A few years ago God gave me a picture of an axe. The axe was standing in the middle of a forest trying to open a can of Coke. Every time the axe tried to open the can, it just ended up damaging the can and coke would just splash everywhere. God said to me, I know what I made you for, stop trying to open a can of coke when I have given you an entire forest to cut down.

Quite a random picture, but the point is this, the axe was not made to open a can of Coke, it was made to chop down trees. God has called each one of us for a very specific purpose, He made us intentionally to fit with this purpose and if we do anything else it would just lead to frustration and a feeling of being unfulfilled. God has so much planned for us, more than we ever could imagine and we should never settle for less than everything that He has for us. You are so uniquely tailor-made for your destiny. You don't need to create one, just walk in the one that was created for YOU. At no other time will you find yourself in a place where you feel more effective, successful, joyful and content.

Also note that the axe was also actually doing something. When we have God in us and we do nothing with it, we will also end up in a place of frustration and boredom. We were made to give, to love and to serve and when we miss out on these wonderful opportunities it will also lead to frustration. Jesus says: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38 We have not received these living waters to keep to ourselves, but to share the love and kindness of Jesus with this world.

May you be encouraged today to sit with God and ask Him what His purpose and dreams for you are. Remember, when God looks at you He does not see what you can do, but what He can do through you and that is limitless.

“But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

 Picture credit: favim