HOW DO I JUST START?

 I was on a bus home from INDA when I caught a beautiful sunset... When I got home, I knew I had to post it; but I had no words to say. So I thought to myself, "What song can I put to go with this instead?" And in that moment I knew it would be 'STAND' by Newsboys. 

What kind of heart do I have in my chest? Does it beat for my Saviour or just for my flesh? (STAND, Newsboys)

The deep questions the Holy Spirit stirs in our cores through the lyrics within this song. We all have hearts in our chests, but who do they beat for? Is it evident in the way that we live? Are we still living for ourselves, when Jesus very clearly said that whoever desires to go after Him must deny himself and pick up his cross daily and follow Him. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for His sake will find it?(Matthew 16:24-26).

They can call me a fool, or stubborn for following You. For trusting without any proof, but I've seen You here through it all. 

Sometimes we're afraid of what people will say. I find myself in this place too. Will they say I'm too much in this Jesus thing? What happens if it doesn't work out and they laugh at me? Will they think I'm crazy and fanatic or that my faith in God is too radical? All the thoughts the enemy puts in our heads plus more. They ask me where my Jesus is, and try to convince me He is a concept put in place by the systems of this world to create order or keep us under their control so that they can dominate humanity for the rest of eternity, 'if it even exists'.  Now I slowly begin to understand Psalm 42. King David, in verse 3 says how his tears have been his food day and night, while men say to him all day long, Where is your God? 

What kind of person do I wanna be, am I committed to You, or committed to me? 

But who will we be committed to? God our Father, or ourselves? Better yet, will we now serve and bow down to the things of this world that we have allowed to take the place of the Father as rightful Ruler in our hearts? O, tis sad. Tis sad that we have been accustomed to the point of making them idols, and then proceed to not perceive it, this transgression before the eyes of God. Lord, have mercy on us, lead us back to You. Show us again Your way everlasting. we ask in the name of Jesus the Messiah.  

I really pray that we walk in light of 2 Timothy 1:7, For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.AMP 

I've been having fear because of what people will say or think of me for sharing the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a blog, on my WhatsApp status, on my Instagram stories or feeds, in a gathering when the Holy Spirit leads me to at the sight of an opportunity... you name it. Where has God sent you to? What excuses are you giving? Thinking someone is more qualified, or that you don't have what it takes; when God is asking you right now, "What do you have? Begin with that...". God is the one who calls us and therefore qualifies us. He finances and sends resources out for the fulfillment of all His Kingdom assignments. Do you believe that? Do you need to make the prayer, 'Lord, help my unbelief?' 

Remember Esther 4:14. God is never short of someone to go for Him. He is waiting for you to accept the call and say like prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8, Here I am; send me. He can always get someone else who is willing, if we shy away in surrender to fear. And who knows but that we have been placed where we are for such a time as this?

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You sovereign God that the Spirit we have now received is not one of slavery to put us once more in bondage to fear, but one of adoption, in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! (Romans 8:15), amen. 

And now for my parting shot today, because standing alone will never be easy and we will never succeed on our own. Take heart and read Ephesians 6:13, and may we stand in Jesus name, amen.

Love, Serene Steph,