Take action (1)
Friday 2nd November 2018
'Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.' Judges 3:31 NLT
When's the last time we felt God asking us to do something but we decided against it because we were faced with fear, feelings of inadequacy, doubt or a reluctance to make changes. When God stirs our spirit or moves our hearts, we cannot just sit back and do nothing. We've got to step up and step in. When we do, it can become a defining moment in our lives.
Moses didn't believe God had chosen the right person to free the Israelites from slavery. He said to God: 'I am not a good speaker. The king will not listen to me' (Exodus 6:30 NCV). And Shamgar was able to save Israel from the Philistines. The Bible tells us that 'he once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad'. This suggests that he didn't have a sword or spear, but just used what he had, which was an ox goad, used to guide animals.
God promises to equip us to do what he's asking us to do, whether it's the words to say or the strength to use what he's already given us. He just asks us to hear his call, step out and obey him. It may take us a lot of effort, but God never said it would be easy. The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (see Philippians 4:13).
So what now? If you're feeling God calling you to something, ask him to give you the strength and courage to take action to achieve it.
Take action (2)
Saturday 3rd November 2018
'Take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33 NIV
When we're facing situations that make us feel trapped, overwhelmed or ashamed, change and freedom can seem like an impossibility, or too much a part of us to be able to break free from.
The enemy wants us to continue feeling hopeless. But God does not. In him, we already have the victory. We're not overcome by our problems, because God says, 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world' (John 16:33 NIV). Even though it can be really hard to remember that, we can rely on God's strength to help us fight through whatever we're facing.
God can help us overcome the things that trap us, but we have to come to the place of deciding that we don't want to stay trapped anymore. And sometimes we have to take practical steps such as doing something new, seeing a counsellor or distancing ourselves from the situation. We have to change direction, otherwise nothing will change. And when it feels like too big a task, remember what Jesus said, 'Don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time' (Matthew 6:34 TLB). God is right there helping us through, and he's faithful. 'Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day...therefore I will hope in him' (Lamentations 3:23-24 TLB).
So what now? If you're feeling trapped by a situation, take action. Decide to talk to someone you trust about it and ask them to pray for you.
Friday 2nd November 2018
'Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.' Judges 3:31 NLT
When's the last time we felt God asking us to do something but we decided against it because we were faced with fear, feelings of inadequacy, doubt or a reluctance to make changes. When God stirs our spirit or moves our hearts, we cannot just sit back and do nothing. We've got to step up and step in. When we do, it can become a defining moment in our lives.
Moses didn't believe God had chosen the right person to free the Israelites from slavery. He said to God: 'I am not a good speaker. The king will not listen to me' (Exodus 6:30 NCV). And Shamgar was able to save Israel from the Philistines. The Bible tells us that 'he once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad'. This suggests that he didn't have a sword or spear, but just used what he had, which was an ox goad, used to guide animals.
God promises to equip us to do what he's asking us to do, whether it's the words to say or the strength to use what he's already given us. He just asks us to hear his call, step out and obey him. It may take us a lot of effort, but God never said it would be easy. The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (see Philippians 4:13).
So what now? If you're feeling God calling you to something, ask him to give you the strength and courage to take action to achieve it.
Take action (2)
Saturday 3rd November 2018
'Take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33 NIV
When we're facing situations that make us feel trapped, overwhelmed or ashamed, change and freedom can seem like an impossibility, or too much a part of us to be able to break free from.
The enemy wants us to continue feeling hopeless. But God does not. In him, we already have the victory. We're not overcome by our problems, because God says, 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world' (John 16:33 NIV). Even though it can be really hard to remember that, we can rely on God's strength to help us fight through whatever we're facing.
God can help us overcome the things that trap us, but we have to come to the place of deciding that we don't want to stay trapped anymore. And sometimes we have to take practical steps such as doing something new, seeing a counsellor or distancing ourselves from the situation. We have to change direction, otherwise nothing will change. And when it feels like too big a task, remember what Jesus said, 'Don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time' (Matthew 6:34 TLB). God is right there helping us through, and he's faithful. 'Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day...therefore I will hope in him' (Lamentations 3:23-24 TLB).
So what now? If you're feeling trapped by a situation, take action. Decide to talk to someone you trust about it and ask them to pray for you.
