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In Articles

The Trial of Trust

October 23, 2019 No Comments

Trust is something we put into action every day. I trust that other commuters driving on the highway will obey the rules and stay in their lanes. I trust that my internet or Wi-Fi connection will work, allowing me to access Google or Instagram.

We trust man-made laws and technology, even when they sometimes fail or fall short. So, why is it so difficult to trust God? Why is it that we lose trust in Him when He doesn’t immediately answer our prayers or quickly fulfill His promises? Why do we so easily forget that He is the one who fuels our dreams and purpose?

Lately, my mantra has been I trust You, God. Even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Even when I have no idea what to do next. Even when it looks like all my hard work has gone to waste. I trust You, God.

That dependence and reliance on God is somehow one of the most difficult things for me to give, because I’m releasing control. Instead of relying on my own strength, reason or wisdom, I’m admitting that I don’t know everything and God does.

Maybe that’s why I admire the character of Joseph so much. When Joseph was only a boy, God gave him a big dream. Joseph didn’t know the extent of his dream. He didn’t know he would one day save millions of people, including his own nation, from starvation. At the time, he only saw a snippet of the dream. But the incredible thing is that Joseph wasn’t personally ready yet for his dream’s fulfillment.

“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” (Psalm 105:19 NLT)

God knew the perfect time to plant the dream within Joseph. God knew what needed to happen in order for that seed to grow and develop, and He knew it would take years. But those years wouldn’t be stagnant for Joseph. Instead, God used that time to develop him into a man of wisdom, maturity, dependability, trust, mercy, generosity and perseverance.

In order for Joseph to become that man, he had to go through heart-breaking trials. He experienced rejection, abuse, disappointment, slander, temptation, loneliness, power struggles and isolation.

Why would God allow those things into his life? How could a God who had promised Joseph good things allow those awful situations to happen? Because God knew what Joseph was made of. He knew the potential Joseph possessed within him. He knew the power of Joseph’s dream. So, God presented Joseph with multiple opportunities to show that he trusted God.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT)

We all have God-given dreams and purpose. But maybe you’ve haven’t seen that dream fulfilled yet and you’re beginning to doubt whether you actually received a promise.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT)

Maybe you don’t think you’re good enough.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Maybe you find yourself growing angry, confused or disappointed.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)

Maybe you’ve put so much hard work into developing your dream and it looks like nothing is happening.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

You’re not alone. If God gave you a dream, He trusts that you can handle it and the necessary development to fulfill it. So, trust Him in return.

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)

BY JEN ENGLISH

You can follow Jennifer English on her personal blog https://jensrandommusings.wordpress.com/

In Devotions

Birthed From Barrenness

September 19, 2019 No Comments

“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11, NIV.

Desperation and Faith

Like Hannah’s moving prayer, my life began with desperation and faith.

My mother received news from the doctor that her body had a condition that would prevent her from conceiving another child. Her heart was shattered into innumerable pieces as her dream of having another baby crumbled into the abyss of hopelessness.

Something began to shift in my mom’s heart—she began to speak faith. The word of God is replete with abounding promises and miracles, so she decided to declare certain scriptures in prayer. She reminded God of His promises to women of faith, such as Sarah and Hannah.

Envisioning Faith

She would envision being pregnant by putting a pillow underneath her blouse while looking at herself in the mirror, pretending to be healed and with a child forming in her womb. This may sound silly to someone who has never walked the road of infertility—but to someone who is desperate for a child—this was an act of sheer faith.

For eight long years she invested a wealth of prayers and tears into the ether of the supernatural realm, not knowing the outcome, but pressing onto her promise. And, for eight long years she fought a war between doubt and faith and battled between hope and hopelessness.

Broken, my mom walked into church yet again, with a silent cry of her heart beating for a child. The evangelist, without knowing her situation, walked up to my mom during service. He placed his hand on her forehead and said, “There is new blood flowing through your veins, be healed in Jesus name.”

Fulfilled Faith

That night my mother was healed completely.

Nine months later, I was born.

My mother learned that God may send barrenness our way to cause us to trust completely in Him.

There might be an impossible situation that you are facing right now and you have been weeping bitterly before God. You’re heart may feel like it’s in a million pieces, but remember this:

Miracles operate in the realm of impossibility.

There is hope.

Prayer: Lord, I have an impossible need in my life right now and I have pleaded for your provision but I am still waiting on You to answer my prayers. My heart grieves as I wait on You and I do not understand what is taking so long. Help me to trust You, regardless of how You decide to answer my prayers. I know that You can do anything and I choose to believe in the impossible.

In Devotions

For His Glory

April 3, 2019 No Comments

“I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means – that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.”

Isaiah 41:20

We serve an incredible God who deserves every bit of praise and worship we have to offer. There are so many times we like to thank people around us for what has happened – our doctor for a clean bill of health, our teachers for a good grade on a paper, or police officers for keeping us safe on the roads. This is all necessary, and it’s important to be grateful.

But we can sometimes overlook what God has done. I think sometimes we forget how involved He is in our day to day lives. How often He protects us, how He guides the doctor and gives him/her wisdom. How He blesses our sacrifice of time when we study and spend time preparing ourselves for His will.

Take time to thank Him today for what may appear to be the small things!

I set aside this moment God to thank you for the things that have gone unnoticed in the past. Thank you for being involved in my life, and every aspect of it.