Walking in Faith

We all know the famous stories and if you have not read them,  place them on your goal list to read. The creation, Noah and the Ark- the great flood, Joseph and the colorful robe, Mary and Joseph; as the list goes on. God is writing our story too.  Yes we each have our own story with characters in it are those people that are in our lives.

I heard a teaching one Saturday night about the "Hall of Fame." The pastor spoke on the faith of men in the book of Hebrews. At the time I was listening and taking notes,  I asked God to let me bring fame to his name and give me faith where I have not experienced faith before. I am now on that journey and the story is being written.

March 31, 2014 is my last day for working at my favorite radio station, working at my favorite daily task, answering my favorite phone, and talking to old friends and making new ones.

The common questions have been why are you moving, where are you moving to and what will you be doing? The reason I am leaving my place is because God is calling me. He is calling me to go home to be closer to my family and do his work in another area of the country. I am moving to the Carolinas. I have family all the way into Virginia and some here in Florida. So it is a halfway point.
God is giving me encouragement that He is going to magnify what I am doing now, share the gospel and use my talents, time, skills and education. I know that as I move forward in obedience and faith my job position will be determined and the news will follow where that place of business will be.
Most people today do not desire, like or even enjoy a faith walk because faith does not give you the details of your life. "I am on a need to know basis," I need to know what I am doing before I do it. With God, He says to have faith first, believe second and know the details last. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Have you heard the story of Peter walking on the water? He looked at Jesus and walked on the water just fine but when Peter look at his circumstances he panicked. Peter was just like you and me, "Lord I can't do this because it looks ridiculous and I better get back in the boat. I'm sinking here, save me!"  " I can't do this because I dont have all the answers or equipment. I'm going to play it safe, not pack, and not move at all."

Many thoughts of changing my mind and saying, "I can't do this, it looks ridiculous." If I am NOT obedient, I will wonder what my life would have been like.
A long time ago back in the 90's. The Lord gave me a promise that he has given to all His chosen people. "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which He commands you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come up on you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God."

God has given me more promises that I've written down, such as my family will be established once more. My children will be brought from afar and the ends of the earth. I have to have faith and obey "if" I want to be blessed by God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were. My fame may not come with my name in neon lights or on a billboard for obeying God, but I do know my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life & I have crowns to lay at Jesus's feet when it comes time. That is all that matters to me today.

I have had a knot in my stomach for a day or two but as I've written this to you, the knot has disappeared.  I know the plans God has for me is to prosper me and not to harm me. I also know, I have blessings waiting for me "if" I walk out on the water, have faith and keep my eyes on Jesus the whole way through.

~ Be encouraged that the faith walk you travel will bring blessings to you and your family.

* Hebrews 12
* Isaiah 43
* Genesis 12
* Deuteronomy 28
* Matthew 14; John 6 & Mark 6

* My writings go on as long as God allows them to continue.

Go in peace.

Follow Me....

When was the last time you asked someone the question, "Do you love me?"
When you asked them that question did you know the answer to the question or were you honestly searching for an honest answer?
Just as Jesus met with Peter and asked him three times "Simon, do you love Me?"
 At the end of the text, Peter, turned around and saw the disciple whom was with them and Peter asked Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"  Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."   {For further in depth reading visit John 21:12-22}

Recently Jesus asked me the same questions and asked me three times. In the midst of my Bible study  I didn't realize He asked me those three times until I went back to read my days entry.  Ironic, in those moments Jesus asked me, I didn't realize what exactly He was asking of me. I don't believe Peter did either. The scriptures say that Peter was grieved. I wasn't grieved, I was curious as to why Jesus asked me, if He already knew the answer. However, when I studied the scriptures, Jesus gave Peter three new jobs to do out of love; feed His lambs, tend His sheep, and feed His sheep. Peter was given new employment.
Today, I was lead to walk the river front area after the church services. As I walked along the water front, the Lord spoke and said He had something for me to see. I continued walking from  the river front to St Johns Avenue. There on St Johns Avenue on a park bench on the sidewalk was Michael. Michael is probably our city's longest living homeless man. So, I asked Michael if I could sit with him and talk. Of course, his face lit up and we began to chat. It felt like we were two friends who have known each other for years. Michael and I laughed at the animations of the stories he shared. We talked about how God has a plan for his life and wants to bless him more and what keeps Michael from receiving those blessings as well as believing he can.
While sitting there on the on the park bench, a waitress from a local business came out to us and handed Michael a lunch she had prepared. He was truly blessed and gave thanks.  In those few moments, I heard God speak to me, "see, they will take care of him and the others."
Following Jesus means to let go of control. We want to hold tightly to the things we own, the relationships we have, the job we do, and the comfort zone we live in. But, Jesus is forever changing our hearts and lives for the best when we let him.  Michael has a difficult time with accepting the best from Jesus and I would guess you do too. Letting go and allowing God to move in your life even when it doesn't look right to others, gives God the opportunity to work in your life to give you His best.
I am letting go of my comfort zone, releasing control of the jobs I do, leaving the home I am comfortable in, and letting go of relationships I have made just to follow Him.
This is a huge step for me, but I didn't get here with just this giant leap of faith. It took small steps throughout my recovery to get where I am today. It took trusting God with the small things in my life and allowing myself to see His mighty hand at work. Do I have a fear of failing? Some, but for the most part, I know God is more than able to carry me and He is the one that has the master plan to prosper me; to give me a hope and a future with where He is leading me to go.
If you think you can't allow God to change your circumstances; you're probably right and you won't let him. But if you think you can allow Him, you will and God will do amazing things for His glory through you.
Do something amazing for Jesus today and allow Him to use you to leave a legacy for others and give Him the glory.
 
~Be encouraged, with Jesus you cannot go wrong.