Trust God…

Trusting God can be difficult. Why? Because it often goes against human logic. A life of faith requires trust. Trust requires a relationship. Relationship requires knowing. Knowing requires commitment. Commitment requires a decision.

The decision to have faith in God can be derived from many things. A personal encounter, the Word of God (faith comes by hearing), the testimony of others, or an inherent feeling that tells you there is a power greater than you that you should trust in.

As we grow from children to adults we become increasingly critical of our thoughts and desires. We begin to question our natural instincts and the gut feeling we’ve experienced over and over again- is trustworthy. We lose our childlike disposition and become unhealthily self-conscious- sabotaging our freedom to create and live in the flow of things. We make “logical” excuses as to why we can’t do this or that. We entertain relationships that are stumbling blocks to fulfilling our God-designed destiny. We allow doubt and fear to influence our decisions and how we live as we listen to the opinions of those we love. Those who were too scared to go after their dreams…

Trusting God is probably easier than you think. Why do I say this? Because it was not hard for me to trust my mother or father(who didn’t raise me) as a child. My mother was my world. There was not a thought in my mind that eluded to her having any interest that was not of my good.

“If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who ^[c]keep on asking Him!” Matthew 7:11 AMPC

Boy, how those Superman/woman capes come flying off as we grow older and experience the mortality of our parents. Their imperfections grow increasingly in our eyes as we discover ourselves. Their glory become disappointments. A far cry from the pure minds that would have entrusted their lives to people who didn’t trust themselves…#Selah

One of the many lessons I learned in my relationship with God is to let be God. Let God hold the place of full authority and ability in my life. In the case of Parenthood. Let God be the ultimate Parent. That means I am just a vessel for the Parent of all parents to work through me as I raise the children he has predestined for me to be a part of my life. I will not take on the responsibility of being a “superhero” parent(friend, boss, leader, brother, son, husband) when my superhero powers come from God. I am nothing without God and I dare not put myself in a situation to have to answer questions only God can answer. In other words- I will not write a check my behind cannot cash.

So many of us do that though. My self included- before I knew better( I still have to be attentive to what I say and do to make sure I am in that perpetual state of humility- #trusting).

Do what? Put yourself in a bind. In a position that comes from you playing God. Not playing God as a healer and a servant empowered to make disciples. But playing God as in you have the same wherewithal as God to do as you want without any consideration of how your decisions affect the character and reputation of God in the eyes of those you are influencing.

We are nothing without God. I cannot say that enough. Even our ability to have faith and trust comes from God. God gives us those abilities. So if our ability to trust and to have faith comes from God- how can it be that hard? If I wanted to cook an amazing meal- I would typically have to go to the grocery to buy the ingredients. From there I come home and cook. Now- you can say no you can grow your own goods and cook them. True- but we live in a time where I can now outsource that and allocate my time to something I deem more important or valuable.

In the same way, God has made His Word available to us. Easily accessible, free of cost, at the touch of our fingertips. We are now able- like never before to study the bible- to access online tools and resources. If I can’t remember a Scripture- I can type what I partially remember- even if it is a few words- and the entire verse would populate.

The Word is our Source. It is the ever-flowing Source of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight, revelation, and healing(among many wonderful things) that God has given us access to. It is empowered to empower us and give the filling of all that we need to be the robust children of God- equipped for the “perfecting of the saints.’

“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Romans 4:10-12

Jesus always expressed His need for the Father. The life of Jesus is the embodiment of perfect obedience. It is the frame of reference we should follow as closely as possible. As powerful as Jesus was- he never denied the presence of the Father in His earthly life. The reason for his efficacy in the realms of supernatural healing, deliverance, discernment, powerful and authoritative preaching, and FAITH- was a direct result of the relationship between Father and Son. The Son did not rob the Father of His glory.

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.]

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these because I go to the Father. John 14:10-12

Self Righteous- “having or characterized by a certainty, especially an unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally superior.“

This is where some of us have made the mistake(hopefully we’ve learned). What turns a righteous one into a self-righteous one is simply not acknowledging or giving credit to Whom credit is due. I get it. It feels good to be acknowledged and honored for the things you do that you are proud of. But we need to be careful how we go about expressing ourselves in this context. God gets the glory always.

Many of us before Christ were nothing. We were considered weak and dumb by the world’s standards. We were taken advantage of and treated like crap. Exploited and manipulated.

“Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth” 1 Corinthians 1:26 AMP

“But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty].” 1 Corinthians 1:27 AMP

When we became born-again believers God anointed us with His Spirit. He quickened our minds. We have the potential to see what God sees and hear what God hears. We can exercise the spirit of excellence in all that we do. We are now able to communicate with conviction, power, and authority. We can walk with the confidence that moves mountains out of the way and possess a dignity that can only come from the King of kings.

We must never forget his. As we grow in all areas of our lives. As we increase more and more. As God blesses us in every area of our lives- we must never forget who empowered us to get wealth, to have influence, and to laugh in the face of the Enemy who thought he would destroy our souls for eternity.

Friends, I am sure it is easy to get caught up in forgetting the I AM and the honor He is due for what He did because of His mercy towards us. A people undeserving of His goodness, protection, and provision. We don’t want to make the mistakes of those who came before us- those who died in the wilderness because they chose to forsake God-they chose to go back to their wicked ways- after the Lord God delivered them and revealed Himself and His power.

God wants the glory. And guess what? It belongs to Him. We cannot hold the position of God – we can’t steward the earth and the fullness thereof. So why should we take the honor, glory, and praise that is due to the ONLY ONE Who can and does perfectly?

Let God be God. Let us receive what He has freely given and hold fast to what He has promised in confidence but with a humility that communicates God’s sovereignty.

Free yourself from the expectations that come from having to be perfect. You will save yourself from the onslaught of distress that comes from pride. Your inability to be the “saving grace” of people who should be putting their trust in God and not you be made very clear and nobody would be disappointedpointed because of unrealistic expectations.

So much can be avoided when we stay in our lane. So much could have been avoided had we said ” I don’t know” or ” I can’t” but let us ask God. …

Let’s do things differently this time. Since we know better. Let us do better. We can use the lessons of those who came before us. We can draw from them and apply them practically and spiritually. God continues to show His mercy. Every generation appears to have the opportunity to encounter God for themselves and grow in the knowledge, understanding, and discernment of Who God is and what his expectations are for us and humanity.

Let us show God that His love for us is not in vain. We are the generation that is going to remind Him why He sent Son to die for us. Because we were sinners who needed a savior-yes. But also, because he foresaw us and chose us in Christ. He saw us as the people who would say yes to Jesus and receive Him as our Lord and Savior.

God, we are forever grateful. Help us to continue trusting in You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.