Faith and Fear

Before I had ever met God, I loved the idea of the supernatural. Imagine a room shaking, when there is no earthquake; fire resting on people's heads, without burning them; a boy's packed lunch feeding five thousand people; walking on water. It sounded radical to me!

Something tells me we were all made to experience the supernatural. It is exciting, fun and ultimately, life changing. The supernatural works of God reveal a whole new realm of His love and power. At the same time, it can be scary, inconvenient, or even embarrassing. If we are not careful, we will allow our fear to outweigh our hunger to experience the power of God.

In John 14, Jesus said "He who has seen me has seen the Father." The works of God - healing, forgiveness, deliverance, provision, signs and wonders - all reveal His character. He is not angry, distant or close-fisted. He is joyful, loving, and unendingly extravagant! Every supernatural experience God gives us is designed to point us back towards His heart.

Have you been experiencing fear regarding the supernatural? Do you wonder if Father God will leave your needs unmet, or punish you if things do not work as you expected? It is time to lay these fears down at His feet and to ask Him to show you the truth. Your Father wants to reveal His goodness to you so that you can follow His Spirit, takes risks, and witness His supernatural power. Don't let fear hold you back!

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If you are hungry to live a supernatural lifestyle, you may enjoy listening to my message 'Freedom From Fear', which can be found in the messages section of my website.

Thankful for His Presence

This week, I am so thankful for God's presence pervading my life. Embarking on a new year, he is already very knowledgeable about everything that will happen! The best thing is, all his plans are to prosper me, body and soul; and to help me look more like him!

Meditate with me on this song, Psalm 139. Written nearly three thousand years ago, it still speaks clearly to the core of who I am: a child of God, created in His image. When I understand how involved He is in my life, fear, anxiety and temptation to ignore His voice melt away. Father God, 'Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?' ...I didn't think so.

God, investigate my life;
get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead you're there, too -
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful -
I can't take it all in!
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of sight?
If I climb to the sky, you're there!
If I go underground, you're there!
If I flew on morning's wings
to the far western horizon,
You'd find me in a minute -
you're already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I'm immersed in the light!"
It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration - what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted form nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:1-16, The Message Translation

Happy New Year!

What are you hoping for this year? What are you planning for? What are you dreaming for? These are great questions to ask each other as we enter into a new year. While God is outside of time, I believe he loves it whenever we seek vision, encouragement and guidance for the times ahead.

When responding to these questions, I like to think back on the many wonderful things God has promised us. Sometimes, we can be tempted to build our expectations upon memories, experience, or what other people say. We may even attempt to limit our expectations for the year ahead, perhaps out of fear or uncertainty. Having gotten to know God as a good Father, I am absolutely certain that the most reliable expectations I can choose to focus on for the year ahead can be found in His presence, and in His word.

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4, NASB)

This year, let's delve even deeper into the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence! In discovering the Father's wonderful heart for us, we will be filled with fresh hope and certainty in His precious and magnificent promises!

The Light Has Come!

Thankful the Light has come!

Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from Heaven is about to break upon us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us in the path of peace.

- Luke 1:78-79, The Message Translation

Emmanuel, God With Us

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who have lived in a land of deep shadows - light! Sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded it's joy. Oh, they're so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.

The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants - all their whips and cudgels and curses - is gone, done away with, a deliverance surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days!

For a child has been born - for us! The gift of a son - for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names willl be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.

- From Isaiah 9, The Message Translation

Heavenly Papa, what an honor to be alive at a time like this. A time when your Son is present with us; when His ruling authority is increasing; a time where there is no limit to the wholeness experienced by us and by those who encounter your presence.

Thank you for the extravagant, loving, brave choice you made to become a man, empowered by the Holy Spirit and living among mankind, tempted in every way but never sinning, in order to be our perfect sacrifice. Thank you that you continue to be present among us, more so now than ever before.

As we enjoy your presence, let our spirits be strengthened with faith. Let our hearts be filled to overflowing with your love. Let our lives express the fullness of who you are. Thank you for being Emmanuel, God With Us.

You're Invited!

How many Christmas parties are you going to this year? I have stopped counting! I am grateful for any occasion where friends and families gather together to celebrate Christmas, often sharing memories, jokes and encouragement as well as gifts and food.

This year, God is inviting us into His own celebration. He is drawing each of us deeper into His throne-room, the place where He dwells continually. When we encounter Him, life is abundant. As Psalm 16 says: 'In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever!'

Has anything been discouraging you from enjoying His presence recently? Have you been troubled by the many gifts to buy, or the many arrangements that need to be made? Fear and shame can cause us to hide from God's presence. He is inviting us to give Him anything that hinders us from approaching His throne of grace with boldness. As we offer Him our anxiety and uncertainty, He fills our hearts with peace, rest and joy.

In Isaiah 61 God's children receive a promise: 'Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion...'. God has many gifts and blessings to release to us! Today, let's boldly accept His invitation to enjoy His presence. As we join hands with Him, nothing can hold us back.

A Season of Preparation

Dear friends, in the aftermath of Thanksgiving I am aware of something very important: Christmas is nearly here! In the next two weeks many of our homes will undergo a festive transformation as we prepare to celebrate what is personally my favorite holiday of the year. It is a fun and exciting process where every aspect of life begins to take on a mood of celebration. We are anticipating the joy of Christmas: pleasures such as time spent with family and friends, eating great food and giving gifts. 

In my house, Christmas happens from the inside out. My practical preparations are a sign of preparation within: I am also preparing my heart to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus. I am furnishing a place where He can reside, and inviting Him to reveal Himself in new and wonderful ways.

I love to reflect on the excitement leading up to Jesus' birth: the journey of Mary and Joseph, the wise men gathering gifts, the stars themselves moving into alignment. This year I am anticipating the joy of our Heavenly Father revealing Himself on earth like never before. I believe each of us will experience renewal in our lives as we prepare our hearts with gratitude and allow this season to move us deeper into His presence.