Sunday, May 19, 2019

Your First Step to Victory

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever found yourself facing a task or challenge that just seems impossible to conquer?  I know I’ve faced some mountains in the past that really had me stumped.  It’s not that I wasn’t  up to the hard work or effort required to get on top of things. My dedication was never in question. The trouble was I had no idea where to begin, or what to do, to see the circumstances changed.

If you find yourself in the same predicament now or sometime in the future - I pray this letter will be an encouragement, and provide you with that much needed light at the end of the tunnel.

One morning, not too long ago, I asked the Lord to give me a clear word I could build my faith on and use to pray into a rather hopeless looking situation I was facing.  Since I already knew what outcome I wanted, what I really needed was the first step to navigate my way towards it.  

What I mean by that is, if we know our physical healing, or financial freedom, or seeing our loved one saved, or having our business or ministry succeed is the outcome we are believing for; what we need is the first step that will bring us closer to that outcome becoming our reality.  

What does it look like?

That step comes in the form of a Word from the Lord that resonates with our spirits and gives us the confidence and direction we need to move forward.  That’s what I was looking for, and it’s what I want to share with you today because I believe it may just be the Word you need to hear.  I pray it comes alive in your heart and gives you the jump start to walking in the very thing you’re believing for.

This is the word the Lord led me to: Proverbs 16:3 which says, “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”

Now, sometimes the task ahead of us seems so overwhelming and complicated that we simply can’t see the wood for the trees.  So what we really need is a different perspective, one where we can see things clearly from God’s point of view.  In Proverbs 16:3, it says the Lord will cause our thoughts to line up with His will, when we commit and trust our works to Him.  Did you notice the Word says that He will cause our thoughts to be the same as His own?   Let me say that again - He will cause our thoughts to be the same as His own.

Can you imagine the advantage we’ll have in any situation when God’s thoughts govern our decisions?  We wouldn’t be bogged down with our own negative, limited ones.

Wouldn’t you agree that having the God, Who knows all and sees all, as our guide through every challenge is an extremely appealing advantage? Nothing takes Him by surprise and every solution to every problem already exists in Him.  

That’s the first step we need! We need our thoughts to be God’s thoughts to get His perspective if we’re going to see the problem solved! 

How does that happen?

Well, the Bible tells us exactly how it happens.  It says we must commit our ways and works to the Lord.  This means we are to submit our motives and agendas to Him before we act.  When we do, His Holy Spirit has the freedom to influence our thoughts to take on His agenda, giving us a clear direction to follow.  

This reminds me of Psalms 97:11 that says, “Light is sown for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart [the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favour and protection].”

The light this scripture speaks of is God’s clear direction and wisdom revealed to us when we commit our ways to Him.  You see, along with the direction comes His supernatural insight and wisdom to carry the vision through.  

Since it’s birthed and empowered by His Spirit, the next part of the promise in Proverbs 16:3 comes into play; where our work will be established and succeed into something that is marked with eternal significance.  This is really remarkable!

How do we do this?  

Well, in order to commit and trust our works to the Lord, prayer is required.  In Ephesians 6:18 it says, “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty...”

In the original Greek translation of this scripture, the word prayer here is proseuche.  According to Greek scholar Rick Renner’s notes on this word, it conveys the idea of an intimate, face to face relationship with God.  This is where we surrender and consecrate our own thoughts in exchange for His thoughts and perspective.  The moment we do this, we find another exchange automatically takes place - our worry and confusion is replaced by His peace and joy.  Hopelessness is replaced with hope and our faith is stirred up.  

Now, as we draw near to the Lord, in an intimate face to face encounter, we can expect this exchange to take place.  He will give you His point of view, and clear instruction willingly, without finding fault with you.  Do you remember what James 1:5 says? “If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”

wrapped up in this word prayer, we find the purposeful attitude of thanksgiving.  Even before we receive His practical wisdom, and clear direction, or even see His hand move on our behalf; we are to thank Him in advance for it.  That means we are to joyfully, expect that this is exactly what He will do when we come to Him in prayer.

So before you even attempt to take on any task that lies ahead of you, take this first step to victory - go to the Lord in prayer.  Approach Him joyfully, with a thankful attitude, fully expecting an exchange.  Draw near to Him, in an intimate face to face encounter, completely surrendering yourself to Him.  

Thank Him for pouring His wisdom into you, and revealing His perspective to your heart and mind.  As you open your heart to Him, He will give you something to hold onto.  It may be a specific instruction, an idea, a scripture, or an overwhelming sense of peace.  Throughout the day, keep listening and being sensitive to His Spirit, He will direct your thoughts to align with His own.  

It may be sudden, it may also be a process, like gradually fitting pieces of a puzzle together.  As long as you remain attentive and expectant, He will speak to you through so many different ways.  You will begin to hear His wisdom in conversations with people or literature you read, teachings you hear.  And while you take it all in, you will find how He fills you with the inner strength and power you need to take on the task ahead. 

Don’t try navigate through any task alone, remember this first step to commit it to the Lord in prayer, and in the exchange, He will give you all you need to have it established and successful.  And when we take that step of obedience to what He tells us to do, just like Psalm 97:11 says, irrepressible joy will flood our hearts because we are assured of His favour and protection as we follow His lead. 

All my love,

Jenny


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