Author: Journey-For-Life

…. And it is us

We are often our own worst enemy. We allow self doubt, even self loathing, to creep into our mind, and let it traipse all through, telling us that we can’t overcome our past, or our limitations, or our weaknesses.

The truth is, though, that where we fall short, God fills our gaps. He alone can be our strength when we are weak, and can do things through us that we are unable to do on our own.

It’s funny how the devil knows just where to hit us… and he’ll do it every time. Many times, it’s not a frontal attack he launches. Instead, he uses our own self doubt and weakness to convince us we’re powerless. He is so sly he fools us to thinking we’re the ones who aren’t worthy.. and we don’t even realize he’s doing it.

One of the best ways to combat that approach is to really study the word of God. When we know scripture, we can be in a position to recall the scriptures when we need them. Sometimes, a scripture verse will pop into my mind… and it’s completely appropriate for the situation in which I find myself.

Ephesians 3:20 New International Version (NIV)

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

English Standard Version exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Turn your battle over to Him today. Let Him fight the fight for you and trust that He will carry you if you fully surrender to him.

Be blessed today, my friends

SB

“When you are passionate about God, you can trust your passions.”

“There are few things in life more inspiring than a life lived with passion and clarity”

“We were not created to live life from the sidelines. It’s about a refusal to live a life in neutral.”

These are a few of the awesome quotes from Erwin MacManus’ book, Chasing Daylight. I had the privilege to worship at his church last year on the day he spoke about this book.

Every now and again we need a reminder that we ARE warriors. We are created by Him for His purpose …and if we are passionate about Him, we can be confident that He’s got us, no matter how difficult a road we travel.

I have the courage to create my future, but only because I am confident in the One who created me for His purpose. I pray for wisdom and knowledge, and know that He is working together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Blessings,

SB

Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

My daily devotional took me through Numbers 22-24, which is a strange account that shows that sometimes God will use scoundrels to further His kingdom. It’s an account of a bad man that God used to bless Israel. Sometimes God uses people who have no spiritual depth to say and do wonderful things, and further His kingdom.

A few months ago our pastor talked about the difference between God’s Sovereign will and His will for our personal lives. His will is that we would all come to know Him as Lord of our lives, but He has given us free will to choose. He could have made us without free will and chosen to force us to love Him, but by giving us the freedom to choose to love Him, he finds those who are genuine. He WILL allow us to NOT choose Him… to take a path that leads to destruction… He WILL allow us to make bad decisions… and by His grace alone, He will extends His grace to get our lives back on track when we’ve chosen poorly. In our personal lives, His will is our choice. But in His Sovereign will…. His work will be accomplished despite the choices we make. He does not need us to accomplish His Sovereign will…. but oh, what a wonderful place to be in the very center of His will for our personal lives as well as the center of His Sovereign will.

Pastor Stoper: “when God is determined to bless a people, nothing, but nothing, but nothing is ever going to interfere with or block that plan…if we know that we are moving in the direction God planned, nothing will ever cause us to loose His blessing or thwart His purpose for us”

Lord, I don’t know what I’ve done to find favor in Your eyes, but I know that everything I have has been given by Your hand. I have seen You work miracles and know the power You have. I want everyone to know You fully, and be able to find the purpose You have for their lives. I want to continue moving in the direction of Your will and Your purpose. I want to be used so that others may see Your glory and Your glory alone. My prayer for my friends today is that they would find Your will for their lives, and find their way right to the center of it, to be part of Your Will for their lives as well as Your Sovereign will and plan.

So very grateful for all You have done and are doing to further Your Kingdom.

Be blessed today, my friends

SB

Father, my Lord and Savior, how much I love you. To live in expectation of Your wonder is so incredible; to see the works that You have done, the power that You have; to bring healing where healing is needed, to prune what needs pruned in our lives to get us where we need to be to glorify You has been the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Lord, I know that You have Your hand on me, You will not let me fall. Hold those around me, and give strength where we are weak. Trusting You with everything I have, every good and perfect gift has come from You alone.

Lord, You are Holy and feared. I love You.

Forever Yours,

Your humble servant,

SB

Driving in my car today, I was reminded of this song. In 2016 I had the privilege to worship with this band at the Christian Missionart Alliance LIFE conference. This song made an huge impact on me, and seemed to fit so well with my post today that I thought I’d share. Hope you are blessed.

Jordon Howerton Surrender

[Verse 1]
I need the one who holds tomorrow
To give me peace about today
You never said this would be easy
God give me faith to say

[Chorus]
I will walk through the flames and I will praise Your name
I surrender, I surrender all
I won’t wait for the mountaintop, I’ll claim You here
I surrender all to You

[Verse 2]
So I won’t worry about tomorrow
I will give my all today
My life I live to make a difference
God give me strength to say

[Chorus]
I will walk through the flames and I will praise Your name
I surrender, I surrender all
I won’t wait for the mountaintop, I’ll claim You here

I surrender all to You

Give me faith that moves the mountains
A perfect love that casts out fear
God I know You’ve never leave me
You’re here with me to stay, here with me to stay

The word of my year this year is PRAY. As we enter February, I am comforted by my prayer time. It literally is a comfort to me, like a warm blanket surrounding me while I enjoy a cup of coffee in front of a fire. I feel God’s presence as I talk with Him.

The past 6 weeks have been excruciating for me and for the family of my friend, Rob. I have spent literally countless hours praying about him, for him, for his family, for those who care about him, for the, my friends and their needs, doctors and nurses, other hospital patients, you name it. I’ve wrestled with God on some questions from deep within me. I’ve sought council from friends who I know love Jesus, from those who have walked the path he’s walked, from those who work with those who’ve walked this path. I’ve done research, I’ve read, I’ve prayed.

My valley has happened while someone else is on a mountaintop, just as my mountaintop happens while someone else is in the valley. I am grateful for those who have faithfully lifted me (as well as others in my circle) in prayer and encouragement during this time. I pray to be able to return their blessing someday when I’m on the mountaintop and they’re in the valley.

Along my journey, I have reaffirmed what I already knew about God. He is faithful. He loves us. He IS working together all things for good. No, not all things are good, but I can do clearly see Gods hand on our lives… and I can see Him making a difference in the lives of people around me. As we travel through this journey together, my Lord is showing me things I’ve not known before, preparing me for something He has planned.

I so deeply love my Lord and trust where we’ve been, and trust where He will lead. I remember so clearly a few months ago when He asked me if I’d trust Him “when it got really bad”. I don’t know if it’s “really bad” yet, but I trust Him with a resounding “yes, Lord, I will trust You when it’s really bad”.

The God of the mountain is the same God in our valleys… and the God in our valleys is the same God in our mountains.

God has answered prayers in a big way this week. I’ll fill you in soon. I am trusting in His timing and in His guidance, to move Rob to wherever Rob needs to be. I pray God will continue to open and close doors to protect and heal my friend.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. I know I need to trust you for everything… including Robs continued care. Everything I have is yours.

Blessings,

SB

This journey we embark on

is filled with much delight

though promises no safety

to those with strength to fight

Most will fear the outcome

and tread only paths well worn

but few with spartan courage

will venture toward reform

To blaze new trails for His sake

is not a journey for the weak

but steadfast toward the prize

and His Glory that we seek

Stand strong when trials shall come

for He gives you what you need

to fight another day for Him

the devil to impede

Godspeed, my fellow sojourner,

may you, with braveness be

the beacon of light in darkness

for all the world to see

May those who quest to find Him

be transformed and ever seek

to worship and adore Him

for all eternity

“One of our goals in life should be to learn to exercise faith in the promises of God no matter what the external circumstances appear to be” Pastor Stoper, Mission 119

This morning’s devotion was on Numbers 13-14. In this account, Moses sent spies out into the land to see if it would be good for them. (This occurred after God had delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea into the wilderness). Of all of the spies sent, only two came back with a good report. Most said the land was good but they were afraid of the people who lived there for they were giants. Caleb and Joshua felt differently. They were confident in their faith because they had seen God deliver them before and knew He’d do it again.

I don’t know what mountain you’re facing today. I do know the mountains I facing, and I will admit, if I allow it, fear and uncertainty could cripple me. But when I look back at the promises God has made, and I see how faithful He has been to me over my lifetime.

In my career, I have had the opportunity to blaze new trails. It’s often scary to do, and I’ve faced strong opposition for sure. Ironically, one of my strong opponents was my friend Rob… and I stood strong against him, driving the change that needed to happen in the way in which the company we both worked for needed to do business. Who would have known that the steadfastness with which I persevered in my professional life would have been the strength that drew him back to me years later to lead him in his personal spiritual journey. But I digress.

As I stand here today, seemingly facing giants, I know that it was God who brought me to this place. I’m trusting in the promises that He’s made that He will protect, deliver, and bless those who follow Him. I’ve seen him do it and believe He’s going to do it again.

All for His glory,

SB