Confidence

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ~Hebrews 10:35-36



 Thoughts on Today's Verse...
There are some tough times that go with living. They're inescapable. That's when our confidence in the Lord's salvation and our relationship with him get tested! It is one thing to sing "it is well with my soul" at the end of a peel the paint worship service, but it is quite another to be able to sing it when they auction your house off at the courthouse steps, you are told you have a long-term debilitating illness, or you lose a child to death. Faith can't take a holiday when we travel through the suburbs of hell or we'll never find our way out. So don't throw it away. Persevere! Keep putting one step in front of the other trusting that God will give you the strength for the next step. No matter how hard it is at the moment, don't give up to despair. Be like Job or Jeremiah who both argued and complained to God, but never let go of God. Don't quit. Christ is coming, for you with grace or in glory once and for all, is just around the bend. ~FW

Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak / Speak to My Heart

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  ~James 1:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Have a brake on your tongue; hit the throttle on your ears. Let your angry email sit three days before responding and make sure you read it and edit it before you send it. Keep you mouth shut and your ears open. They all say the same thing. Now if we would just do it, wouldn't the Christian community so much more blessed! ~ FW

Are you ready for the shift?

We are in the first week of the “Surrender Fast: New Beginnings”, this fast coincides with my first 2 weeks on my new job.  In August 2013, I asked GOD for a change I had been in this position for 11 years and I was tired.  Working with middle school students is not easy it really takes its toll after a while.

In May 2014, I was told that I would be moved to the high school building for the 2014-2015 year.  Great, a new challenge and I accepted with great expectation and I thought I was ready for it – I WAS NOT.  Since I knew most of the students, I thought it would be an easy transition but instead it was a little bumpy.  Due to me being there for 11 years I was on auto pilot, I was comfortable. After the first day, I had to step up my game and be even more prepared, more engaged, and less reactionary and find a different rhythm.  Even physically, I had to focus even more on losing more weight so I can move easily between two buildings daily. So if naturally I have to step up my game for this shift (new job), what about the shift I want spiritually?  AM I READY FOR THE SHIFT? And the answer is NO. 

I realized that I need to step up my spiritual game.  I need to be more prepared, more engaged, and less reactionary and find a different rhythm.  Sometimes we find ourselves on autopilot, go to this service, sing this song, and read that scripture but we are not an active participant yet we want more from God. This week I have found these components critical for a swift. 1. Seeking God is essential in preparation for a shift. 2. Removing people, places, and things is next. 3. Fasting & Praying is necessary. 4. Reading his word is mandatory (you need a road to be a better you).     

So I will spend the next 35 day preparing even more for the shift.  I have a revised plan of action and this first step is the “Surrender Fast: New Beginnings” ….. Who’s with me?

Jason Nelson-Shifting The Atmosphere

Enourgement / I Will Trust

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in
fact you are doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

While Paul's exhortation here is excellent, it is the style
of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are
constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of
things. But in our lives as Christians, our knowledge always exceeds our
obedience. So more often than we like to think, we need to remind each other of
what we are doing right and just simply say, "Hey, you're doing well; just
keep doing what you're doing!" ~ FW

His Reach / Nothing Without You

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. ~Psalm 94:18-19

     We are amazed at the vastness of God's reach, the awesome breadth of his power, and the glorious sweep of his majesty. An additional truth, incredible as it may seem, is God's personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs we face each day. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship? What difference does it make to know he supports you when your foot slips or that his consolation is nearby when anxiety rises? -FW

Thought of the Day | Marvin Winans - Draw me Close to You / Thy Will be Done

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
—Psalm 143:10

We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus. For this to happen, we must open our hearts to the will of God. There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do your will." That is what it means for him to be God, to have control over our lives and our wills. This is a key part of loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As we open ourselves to the Father in this way, the Holy Spirit puts us on God's level ground! ~FW