Encouragement for Today - July 8, 2008
July 8, 2008
Further Still with God
Sharon Sloan, She Speaks Graduate
“And He went on a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed….”
Matthew 26:39 (KJV)
Devotion:
Have you ever felt God calling you “further still” with Him? It is those times when He is connecting with you so personally and so deeply, and gently calling you to go further in your relationship with Him.
These places of “further still with God” are places where it’s just you and Him as He beckons you to step into deeper levels of intimacy and trust. As you pray and search His scriptures, you listen for and hear His still, small voice. During these “further still” seasons with God, He matures your faith, broadens your trust, and reveals intimate treasures from His heart to yours. It’s a beautiful time when you crave less of the world and more of Him.
I have been in one of those “further still” seasons with God recently. He has called me out of my comfort zone into unfamiliar, but prepared and safe places. Just as He required bravery of Joshua in the Old Testament, He calls me to bravely trust Him too.
During this season, He has been tenderly lifting my head so I fix my gaze upon Him alone. My husband lovingly gives his counsel to me, and my sisters in the Lord pray on my behalf. I am so thankful for my husband and friends, yet I know that as God calls me “further still,” I am the one who has to continue stepping forward with confidence in Him. No one can do that for me. He reminds me to look to Him alone, to please Him and not people.
In his book Reflecting His Image, KP Yohannan writes, “You see, when it is only God and you, you are more apt to face your pride and your sins. With everyone else we argue these things away and look wonderful and smile. But when we are all alone before God, we face ourselves, and the cleansing and purification will take place. We become less phony the more we are with the Lord.”
Is God calling you further still today? Our Heavenly Father is completely faithful and entirely trustworthy. He stands with His strong and loving arms opened wide beckoning you to take steps of faith in your walk with Him. Though the place you step may be unfamiliar, remember He has gone before you. He wants you to see more of Him - His flawless character and His amazing love. He has a heart full of treasures to unearth for you.
Dear Lord, You are perfectly faithful and trustworthy. As You gently take my hand to lead me further still with You, fill me with Your peace and courage. Fix my gaze on You alone. Thank you for the heart full of treasures You have for me. As You unearth them in me, use my life to glorify and honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Application Steps:
Make time every day to be alone with God. Seek His face in prayer and in His Word.
Read John 15:1-17.
If He is beckoning you to go “further still” will Him, prayerfully trust Him as He leads you forward.
Reflections:
Remember those precious seasons in your walk with Him when He matured your faith and revealed more of Himself to you.
Power Verses:
Daniel 2:47, “The king said to Daniel, ‘Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries…’” (NIV)
Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand, and says to you, ‘Do not fear, for I will help you.’” (NIV)
Jeremiah 32:41, “I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
