Encouragement for Today - June 12, 2007
Fear or Faith – Part Two
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11(NAS)
Devotion:
I shared in yesterday’s devotion how God challenged me to walk in faith rather than in fear with the words from Deuteronomy 2:3 and 7: “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north...For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wonderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing” (NAS).
I knew that it was time to leave behind the lies of fear and to choose to believe that with God I could do whatever He asked me to do. So right then I prayed, promising God that whatever He asked me to do, I would say yes.
A few days passed and, of course, God provided an opportunity for me to say yes to Him. Lysa TerKeurst, the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, called and asked me to give a testimony at the P31 She Speaks conference about the influence on my life of Proverbs 31 Ministries. As she filled me in with the details, she explained that I would give this talk in front of one of the general sessions; in other words before about 250 women.
My first thought was No way! I’m going to She Speaks for the writer’s track, not the speaker’s track! However, I knew this was a defining moment for me. I had a choice: was I going to choose fear or faith? I remembered my promise to God, and without giving myself a chance to change my mind, I blurted out, I’ll do it!
A few weeks later as I shared with the audience at She Speaks what an impact the Proverbs 31 ministry had on me, I just wept, for I saw how God had orchestrated all the events in my life to bring me to this point, a point where I would say yes to whatever else He asked me to do.
I went home from the conference, began speaking to local groups and continued writing. One of the articles I wrote was about marriage, and it was published in the P31 Woman magazine. And then an amazing thing happened. Something only God could have done.
Harvest House publishers read my article, contacted me, and asked me to submit a book proposal. Much to my amazement and thankfulness, it was accepted, and my first book What a Husband Needs from His Wife was published. God knew that I had a dream of publishing a book, for it was a dream He put in my heart. When God made this dream come true, I knew He was saying to me, “This is what I created you to do!” As I refused to listen to the lies of fear, I was able to join God in the plans He had for me.
And I never want to go back to being a woman who lives in fear. I want to continue saying yes to God. What about you? Are you ready to say yes to God? The adventure God wants to take us on can be enjoyed only when we’re willing to leave behind the familiarity of the wilderness to join Him in the adventure in the unknown of the Promised Land. That doesn’t mean that we won’t have defeat or failure or missteps. It just means that we press on one step at a time, knowing that God is with us. Psalm 37:24 promises, “When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand” (NAS).
God has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives. He invites us to follow Him, for He knows who we truly are. Following Him is about living out His plan for our lives, instead of letting lies define us or determine the direction of our lives. When we step out in faith to be who God created us to be, we bring Him the greatest glory.
Dear Lord, Thank you that You created me to be Your child. Thank you that You love me and want to hold my hand every step of the way, as I live my life for You. Use all of me to bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
For the Write Reason by Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Today, take one specific step toward reaching your dream.
Read one of the resources listed in today’s devotion or yesterday’s.
Sign up for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference!
Reflections:
Do you have a dream that you’ve been afraid to pursue?
What talents and experiences can you use to God’s glory?
Power Verses:
Philippians 3:12-14, “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” (MSG)"
Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” (NLT)
Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
