September 4th, 2023
Written by Brandy Wallis
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
This week, I wanted to write a blog that was much different than a lot of the other blogs we’ve written for you guys. Most of the time, our blogs consist of a short devotion-type message. They encourage, they bless, and even prick our hearts when need be. My prayer is that this one would be one of those that reminds you. I hope it’s one of those that you can bookmark & go back to often when you need to be reminded of God’s promises over your life.
Two weeks ago, we held a four day revival with Bro. Hansie Steyn. I just love when he comes to our church! He is one of those brothers in Christ who is unapologetically bold and is not afraid to remind us of what the word of God says about culturally accepted views. It never fails that, at the end of his revivals, my body is tired but my spirit is encouraged and ready. This year, amongst many things, Bro. Hansie reminded us that we need to be bold, bold as lions, and that we must have a love for those in the world. We must be the difference they see!
Well, for anyone who has ever reached out to lost people and shared the gospel of Jesus with them, you know how tedious that can be! Today, I want to remind you of some of God’s promises over your life. When you’re having those difficult days, let these serve as reminders that when you chase after God, everything else will be given to you just as it should be.
First off, God is always with us. Psalms 16:8 reminds us, “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me”. God never intended you to walk into situations where your own ability could bring another soul to repentance. No, quite the opposite. The Lord uses those who have a yes in their spirit to do things that are only possible when God is in the midst of it. Why? So that the glory goes to the One it should go to in the first place.
Remember, God doesn’t need us to do anything to enhance the gospel of Jesus. No, but He wants to share these life-changing opportunities with us. As long as God has gone before you, you can trust that He has already begun to work and move on your behalf. You have nothing to fear.
Speaking of fear, did you realize that this is oftentimes one of the easiest things for the enemy to use to distract us and get us off course from what the Lord wants to do in our lives? Whether it is witnessing to someone, leading a discipleship group, or volunteering to be a part of an outreach event, fear is oftentimes the number one reason people give as the reason why they can’t do something greater for the Kingdom. It is no coincidence that Timothy reminds us in his writings that fear is not a trait of God’s. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). If the enemy can make you fearful of being a more active part of the church then he has accomplished his mission. A mission to prevent the gospel from being heard by people from one end of the earth to the other.
Speaking of people, I love when people tell me they aren’t called to be in ministry, preach, or evangelize. I can’t help but snicker just a little because nothing could be farther from the truth. If you’ve ever left our church on a Sunday or Wednesday, you have most likely seen that brown, tattered, worn out sign that sits so proudly at the edge of our parking lot reminding each and every one of us that we are “now entering the mission field”. I love that sign! I love the vision behind that sign. You see, as a sinner once saved by grace, I have never forgotten the person who was brave and bold enough to tell me that my life didn’t have to remain the way it was; that there was a different way that could usher in all the things I’d been looking for: peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, and so much more. Someone loved me, even at my darkest enough to share the truth of who Jesus is and what he could do with my life. That someone wasn’t a preacher, they didn’t stand in a pulpit every week, they didn’t lead some ministry in the church, and they certainly weren’t known in denominational circles. They were however just a normal person who was chasing after God’s own heart, loving lost people. They just so happened to be someone who considered the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) a commandment and not a suggestion!
Lastly, love…love your neighbors, love your enemy, love yourself. More often than not, love is displayed through our actions and choices rather than our words. Matthew 22:36-40 says, “‘Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Those words are in red, which means Jesus meant them! All kidding aside, words are empty when actions do not match. You can not love God and despise people! It is an impossibility. Why? Because God is love. If we are disciples of Christ then everything we do in our life should be Christ-like. I’ve never found in scripture where Jesus treated lost souls as if they weren’t saving. I mean, after all, Christ died for all of those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I am certainly thankful that includes me, what about you?
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
This week, I wanted to write a blog that was much different than a lot of the other blogs we’ve written for you guys. Most of the time, our blogs consist of a short devotion-type message. They encourage, they bless, and even prick our hearts when need be. My prayer is that this one would be one of those that reminds you. I hope it’s one of those that you can bookmark & go back to often when you need to be reminded of God’s promises over your life.
Two weeks ago, we held a four day revival with Bro. Hansie Steyn. I just love when he comes to our church! He is one of those brothers in Christ who is unapologetically bold and is not afraid to remind us of what the word of God says about culturally accepted views. It never fails that, at the end of his revivals, my body is tired but my spirit is encouraged and ready. This year, amongst many things, Bro. Hansie reminded us that we need to be bold, bold as lions, and that we must have a love for those in the world. We must be the difference they see!
Well, for anyone who has ever reached out to lost people and shared the gospel of Jesus with them, you know how tedious that can be! Today, I want to remind you of some of God’s promises over your life. When you’re having those difficult days, let these serve as reminders that when you chase after God, everything else will be given to you just as it should be.
First off, God is always with us. Psalms 16:8 reminds us, “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me”. God never intended you to walk into situations where your own ability could bring another soul to repentance. No, quite the opposite. The Lord uses those who have a yes in their spirit to do things that are only possible when God is in the midst of it. Why? So that the glory goes to the One it should go to in the first place.
Remember, God doesn’t need us to do anything to enhance the gospel of Jesus. No, but He wants to share these life-changing opportunities with us. As long as God has gone before you, you can trust that He has already begun to work and move on your behalf. You have nothing to fear.
Speaking of fear, did you realize that this is oftentimes one of the easiest things for the enemy to use to distract us and get us off course from what the Lord wants to do in our lives? Whether it is witnessing to someone, leading a discipleship group, or volunteering to be a part of an outreach event, fear is oftentimes the number one reason people give as the reason why they can’t do something greater for the Kingdom. It is no coincidence that Timothy reminds us in his writings that fear is not a trait of God’s. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). If the enemy can make you fearful of being a more active part of the church then he has accomplished his mission. A mission to prevent the gospel from being heard by people from one end of the earth to the other.
Speaking of people, I love when people tell me they aren’t called to be in ministry, preach, or evangelize. I can’t help but snicker just a little because nothing could be farther from the truth. If you’ve ever left our church on a Sunday or Wednesday, you have most likely seen that brown, tattered, worn out sign that sits so proudly at the edge of our parking lot reminding each and every one of us that we are “now entering the mission field”. I love that sign! I love the vision behind that sign. You see, as a sinner once saved by grace, I have never forgotten the person who was brave and bold enough to tell me that my life didn’t have to remain the way it was; that there was a different way that could usher in all the things I’d been looking for: peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, and so much more. Someone loved me, even at my darkest enough to share the truth of who Jesus is and what he could do with my life. That someone wasn’t a preacher, they didn’t stand in a pulpit every week, they didn’t lead some ministry in the church, and they certainly weren’t known in denominational circles. They were however just a normal person who was chasing after God’s own heart, loving lost people. They just so happened to be someone who considered the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) a commandment and not a suggestion!
Lastly, love…love your neighbors, love your enemy, love yourself. More often than not, love is displayed through our actions and choices rather than our words. Matthew 22:36-40 says, “‘Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Those words are in red, which means Jesus meant them! All kidding aside, words are empty when actions do not match. You can not love God and despise people! It is an impossibility. Why? Because God is love. If we are disciples of Christ then everything we do in our life should be Christ-like. I’ve never found in scripture where Jesus treated lost souls as if they weren’t saving. I mean, after all, Christ died for all of those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I am certainly thankful that includes me, what about you?
1 Comment
Thank you Pastor Brandy 💜