PROGRESS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

I had the pleasure of not just doing a “drive by” A House of Prayer in Xenia’s Freedom gathering last night but was able to settle into the worship and the topic.

And the WORSHIP team shared this song from Cory Asbury, “The Father’s House”. The Father's House - Cory Asbury (Lyrics)

The Father's House - Cory Asbury (Lyrics) The Father's House - Cory Asbury (Lyrics) // After taking a year off to rest with family Cory Asbury just releas...

It is a great song for our FREEDOM friends, many of whom are on a new journey, a new “progression” in life.  And there is a little lyric in that song that especially sticks out for me as one of those “progressing” people.

Arrival's not the end game

The journey's where you are

You never wanted perfect

You just wanted my heart

Ruminate for just a tic on that lyric, especially the part that YOU (GOD) never wanted perfect, YOU (GOD) just wanted my heart.

Often, we think we must up our game in order to have access to the Father, for the Father to notice us or accept us.  Yet Cory is right, GOD doesn’t ask for perfection.  He knows that is unattainable.  But He does find pleasure in our progress.

God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus…

So, let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:14, 15-16 (MSG)

If you have every been in the rooms of an AA meeting, you will hear this read.  “We are not saints. The point is, that we are WILLING TO GROW along spiritual lines…We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.”

In Romans 12 Paul encourages PROGRESS in this way, “be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. -Romans 12:2 (AMP)

Friends, I have heard it said that if we aren’t progressing toward what GOD desires for us, we are not then stationary, we are regressing, going backwards.

So, the encouragement today should be clear.  COMMIT yourself to PROGRESSING.  God is beckoning us to do so committing to helping us see WHERE that is leading.

He is looking for progress TOWARD perfection, that perfection being His Son.

But the love of God will be perfected within the one who obeys God’s Word. We can be sure that we’ve truly come to live in intimacy with God, not just by saying, “I am intimate with God,” but by walking in the footsteps of Jesus. 1 John 2:5 (TPT)

Have a BLESSED DAY!

Opportunities for Hope

COURAGEOUS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That is a familiar passage, right?

It shows up on lots of “Bible Bookstore Stuff” doesn’t it.

And why not?

It is INTENSELY AFFIRMING.

But it is ALSO requiring ACTION!

Yes, GOD is WITH YOU, but that doesn’t mean we are to be PASSIVE and content to just rest behind the ever-present shielding of the Lord, but rather use that ASSURITY to STEP OUT into the WORLD with BOLDNESS and CONFIDENCE. because GOD is WITH US, WHEREVER. 

And that WHEREVER part is crucial.

It reminds me of this passage:

If I go up to heaven, you’re there!

If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too!

If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there!

If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting!

Wherever I go, your hand will guide me.

your strength will empower me.

It’s impossible to disappear from you

or to ask the darkness to hide me,

for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.

There is no such thing as darkness with you. – Psalm 139:8-12 (TPT)

Yet I share those familiar yet resonate passages today because of what I was witness to yesterday. 

I was blessed to share with some friends at NEW LIFE CHURCH in Hancock County Ohio.  They were HOSTING a Mental Health Awareness and Equipping Day. 

That is a bold and courageous move in and of itself given the stigma still VERY prominent in the faith community regarding mental illness and addiction A faith community where some still SHAME those challenged by mental health and addiction maladies.  A faith community that is still mired in tired stereotypes and strategies to deal with complex mind, soul and spirit issues. 

So, the mere fact this leadership team was CHALLENGING the stigma and offering PROVEN and blended help and education was deeply refreshing. 

So yes, I led with that verse today to COMMEND my friends from Findlay for their courage. 

But what MOST impacted me yesterday was the COURAGE of 3 remarkable leaders.  

One was a LIFELONG CHRISTIAN and LEADER who was DEALING with depression.

Another a CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR who since she was a teen has been negatively impacted by shame, depression, anxiety and unfortunately a bevy of clueless “CHURCH FOLKS” that had often led her to contemplations of suicide.

And finally, a lovely mama of 5 whose family had battled addiction and she the mental strain of “trying to hold it all together”.

Telling THOSE stories boldly and unashamedly in a church is no easy task.

Trust me.  I know.

But EACH and EVERYONE of them realized that GOD was WITH THEM, even in the darkest of their seasons and even when “the church” wasn’t. 

And it was their collective courage and candor that opened the eyes and convicted many in the seats, but it also stirred one fella to rise from his seat and vulnerably share his very current and very active challenge with substance use.  It was THE AFFIRMED BOLDNESS and COURAGE of the speakers that inspired him to SEEK the help he desperately needed.

Now I wish I could put a red ribbon on this and tell you our addicted friend found deliverance after lots of prayer, I wish I could tell you that he even accepted our offer to find help at my center or the REFUGE.  I wish I could tell you that I knew where he was this morning.  I can’t.

But what I can tell you with confidence is that that fella would not have made his struggles known had it not been for the COURAGE of those others who were willing to REMEMBER that GOD was with them through the nerves of public speaking, that GOD was with them as their shared some of their most intimate challenges and that GOD was with them to “help them help” this one who most needed it.

Therefore, friends, I simply share this with you today to ENCOURAGE YOU to HAVE COURAGE. 

GOD is indeed with you today, WHEREVER you go. 

So:

Don’t be shy with your story.

Don’t be timid with your testimony.

Be BOLD!

Be CONFIDENT!

Be WILLING! 

You never know WHO might need to hear WHAT GOD has done for you!

Remember...

“The hardest thing to ever do is to reveal the naked soul to the world. However, in doing so brings healing, growth, strength, and powerful inspiration!” ― H.E. Olsen

I love you all!

Have a BLESSED DAY!

Opportunities for Hope