How to Have Well Healed Wounds

​Let gratitude restore your heart as you learn to have well healed wounds.

​Trevor H Lund helps capable and caring people—who are growing weary in doing good—move from striving and stress to peace and purpose as they rediscover and enjoy the life God created them for. He does this as an encourager, writer, and authorpreneur. He encourages through his blog, podcast, and live casts at https://revtrev.com/, shares his writing at https://trevorlund.com/, and teaches in Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca/.

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​If you’re in a place where you just wanted to curse God and die, the best thing you could do was find a Psalm that felt the same way you did and camp out for while until you knew God knew how you felt and you started to feel more of his peace once once more.

Read it slowly. Pray it honestly. Feel the angst of the language. Let those words give language to what is happening inside you. Remain there until you know that God understands how you feel and until you begin to sense his peace once more.

Today, I want to continue that conversation. I want to show you how gratitude helps us move from hurt toward wholeness.

Gratitude Helps Restore You

Gratitude doesn’t fake it

It’s not because gratitude pretends that nothing happened. Gratitude does not tell us to ignore our pain. Gratitude does not pretend every situation is good.

Gratitude restores us by helping us see that, even in painful seasons, God has not stopped being faithful. And while every situation is not good, He will work everything out for our good.

Hurt and hope will shape the way we see everything

Have you noticed how pain affects your attention?

When we are hurting, we often notice what is missing before we notice what remains. We can look with eyes of lack instead of eyes of blessings. We see the unanswered prayer, the broken relationship, the loss, the disappointment, or the opportunity that never came.

When we hurt, we expect more hurt.

Someone who has been betrayed might find it difficult to trust again. Someone who has experienced loss might fear another loss. Someone who has prayed for healing and has not yet received the answer they wanted might begin to wonder whether God hears them at all.

Pain asks difficult questions:

“Why did God allow this?”
“Why did they leave?”
“Why did my prayer seem unanswered?”

Those questions are not signs that you have failed God. They are signs that you are human and that something has wounded you and you’ve created a wall to protect yourself.

The Bible gives us permission to speak honestly.

David did not always begin his psalms with praise. In fact 2/3rds of all the Psalms are Psalms of lament. The Psalm I often find myself camping out on is Psalm 13–which is a Psalm of David

Psalm 13:1-4

How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

Look how he ends 5-6…

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

The circumstances might not have changed between the first verse and the last verse. What changed was David’s perspective. He brought his pain into the presence of God, and in God’s presence, pain was no longer the only thing he could see.

This is the pattern for Psalms of lament. All but two end with our perspective moving from our pain to His promise.

Tip: if you want to experience God afresh, learn how to lament. Learn to use the language of the psalms to pour out your pain to God https://revtrev.com/psalms/ I have the psalms of lament categorized by emotions

Pouring out your heart to God is where gratitude begins.

Gratitude does not deny the wound

Some people resist gratitude because they believe it requires them to pretend.

They think, “If I give thanks, does that mean what happened was acceptable? Does it mean I am no longer allowed to grieve? Does it mean I have to trust someone who harmed me?”

No.

Gratitude does not call evil good. It does not erase betrayal. It does not excuse abuse. It does not remove the need for boundaries, justice, counselling, or wise support.

You are allowed to say:

“That hurt me.”
“I am still grieving.”
“I do not understand why this happened.”
“I need help.”

Give thanks IN not necessarily Give thanks FOR

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

It does not say to give thanks for all circumstances…Well it does, so let me tell you why.

Ephesians 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But the command in those verses is “to be continually filled with Holy Spirit” and the results—of being continually filled with Holy Spirit—is that you’ll speak to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual psalms, sing and make music from your heart to the Lord AND that you’ll always being giving thanks to God the Father for everything.

In English we put a comma to show it. In Greek “being continually filled” is the command in that sentence.

To give thanks FOR everything is not a command, it’s the natural result of being continually filled with Holy Spirit. When we are continually filled with Holy Spirit we naturally—or supernaturally—do God’s will.

What is part of his will for us? It’s to give thanks IN all circumstances.

Scripture does not tell us to thank God for cruelty, sickness, injustice, or loss as if those things were good.

But it does tells us to give thanks in all circumstances—because that’s God’s will for us.

We can give thanks that God is present. We can give thanks that grace is available. We can give thanks that he has blessed us with all wisdom and all knowledge so everything is figureoutable. We can give thanks that suffering will not have the final word. We can give thanks that Christ understands suffering. We give thanks that God is still holding us, even when we do not understand what he is doing.

The key that keeps us for having toxic gratitude—that’s saying we’re grateful when we don’t actually feel grateful—is to give thanks with our whole heart.

Give Thanks with your whole heart

To give thanks with our whole heart we need to decide to give thanks, feel grateful for what we give thanks for and show appreciation for what we felt grateful for. You can give thanks with your whole heart in any circumstance. The best time to train yourself to do it that is when you have a lot to give thanks for.

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

The difference between an open wound and well healed wounds

I was speaking in a church talking about how to fast from negativity and in the middle of it I found myself saying this—it wasn’t in my notes. I said something like:

“Some of you here take pride in your wounds. You wear your pain like a badge of honour. You think it makes you acceptable to God. But God wants you to know that your wounds hurt Him and what brings Him joy is your wounds well healed. You need to have well healed wounds.”

After the service a lady came up to me with happy tears in her eyes. She told me some time ago God impressed upon her that her wounds would heal well. She said, “when you said that phrase – ‘your wounds well healed’ – I knew God was saying my time of healing is complete.

It was the first time I heard “well-healed wounds.”

What does well healed wounds mean?

An open wound is tender. It reacts to the smallest touch. It demands attention. It affects everything around it.

A well-healed wound still tells you where you have been, but it no longer controls every part of your life.

The scar may remain, but the bleeding has stopped. Scars are cool. Jesus keeps His scars in heaven.

That is what God desires to do in us. He does not erase our history. He redeems it.

Psalm 147:3 says:

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

The Lord is not embarrassed by your wounds. He does not turn away from your sorrow. He comes near to the brokenhearted.

Some of us have been carrying an open wound for years. A conversation, a date on the calendar, a certain place, or a familiar phrase brings the pain rushing back.

God is patient with us. He does not shame us for needing time. Yet he also does not want us to remain trapped forever in what wounded us.

Gratitude is one of the ways God begins to restore our hearts.

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

Gratitude changes what receives our attention

What we repeatedly look at begins to shape how we think, speak, and feel. If we focus only on what went wrong, our hearts become trained to search for more evidence that life is unsafe and God is distant.

But when we practise giving thanks with all our heart, we begin to notice signs of grace.

For example, Psalm 103 begins with David speaking to his own soul:

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

David then says:

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Notice the phrase: “Forget not.”

David knew that the soul forgets. We forget God’s kindness when the present pain becomes loud. We forget past provision when today feels uncertain. We forget previous answers to prayer when a new crisis arrives.

So David speaks to himself.

“Remember, soul.”

Remember his forgiveness.
Remember his healing.
Remember his compassion.
Remember his provision.
Remember his faithfulness.

Gratitude is the natural response to remembering the goodness of God.

It is not always an emotion that arrives by itself. At times, gratitude begins as an act of obedience. We say, “Lord, I will remember what is true.”

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

The ones who received healing but forgot to return

In Luke 17, Jesus met ten men who had leprosy. They stood at a distance and cried out:

“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they went, they were healed.

Ten men received healing.

Only one returned. He was Samaritan.

That man came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.

Jesus asked: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

All ten received the gift, but only one returned to the giver.

That question still speaks to us.

How often do we do the same?

How often do we ask God for help, receive his kindness, and then move on without returning to thank him?

We pray for provision, then forget to give thanks when the provision arrives.

We ask God to carry us through a difficult season, then become so focused on the next challenge that we forget to remember how he carried us through the last one.

We receive another morning, another breath, another opportunity, another act of kindness, and we treat it as ordinary.

Gratitude helps us return.

It brings us back to the feet of Jesus.

Tip: Keep a list of your answers to prayer. Worry about nothing. Pray about everything with thanksgiving. When God answers those prayers keep them somewhere you can review them and be amazed.

The healed man did not return because he had nothing else to do. He returned because he recognized who had restored him.

Gratitude is more than saying, “Thank you.” It is recognizing the giver behind the gift.

What can unhealed wounds do to us?

The WALL of Unhealed Wounds

W — Wounds: Trauma or hurt experiences.
A — Assumptions: False beliefs formed from wounds (e.g., "I am unlovable").
L — Lifelong vows: Decisions made to cope (e.g., "I must control everything").
L — Limiting strongholds: Ways of thinking that negatively dominate life (anger, people-pleasing, withdrawal).

These are all the results of unhealed wounds. You can get through all of these by having your wounds well-healed.

What happens when gratitude begins to restore us?

What would it be like to remember the past without being pulled back into it? What would it be like to receive something good without immediately expecting it to disappear? What would it be like to say with all honesty, “This hurt me, but God has not abandoned me”?

That is the work of healing.

A grateful heart does not become careless. It becomes steady.

A grateful heart does not stop asking questions. It learns that unanswered questions do not mean an absent God.

A grateful heart does not forget the pain. It remembers the pain alongside God’s faithfulness.

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

How can we have well-healed wounds?

That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked. I’ve been working on this tool for sometime. Only when I saw gratitude’s role in it did it all flow together.

HEALing Prayer

This process is simple.

H — Hold the wound before Jesus.
E — Explore feelings and beliefs.
A — Ask Jesus to show you the truth.
L — Listen for Jesus’ response.

This process is simple but the effects are profound.

Gratitude’s role

Start by remembering a memory when you naturally gave thanks with your whole heart. A time you naturally gave thanks to God— you choose to be thankful, felt grateful to God and you naturally showed appreciation to God in worship.

It’s important to start with remembering a time you gave thanks with your whole heart naturally because in the process you might run into trauma that you don’t have the capacity—at this point—to work through.

IF that happens, go back to this safe space when you knew God blessed you and loved you and held you in His hands. Gratitude creates the safe space for us to increase our capacity to heal from hurt.

H — Hold the wound before Jesus

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.” — Psalm 34:18

Ask Holy Spirit to show you want He wants to heal. Go to the memory of what He shows you. Remember one specific wound or painful memory. Name what happened without hiding or minimizing it.

What do you want to heal today, Lord?

E — Explore your feelings and beliefs

“Search me, God, and know my heart.” — Psalm 139:23

Notice the feelings linked to the wound. Look for beliefs that formed through the experience, such as “I am unsafe,” “I am unworthy,” or “I am alone.”

Not that it’s true, but it feels like it’s true….

If this gets too painful, go back to the safe space you created. If you can continue, go to the next step.

A — Ask Jesus to show you the truth

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3

Ask Jesus to reveal truth. In the memory, see what Jesus shows you or what He tells you.

What is Jesus showing me?

L — Listen for Jesus’ response

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

Pause in silence. Don’t move on until you see or hear the truth Jesus reveals. Notice changes in your in feelings, thoughts, or spiritual impressions.

Does the memory feel different?

Testing changes against scripture and spiritual fruit is vital to discern true healing.

HEALing Prayer…

Remember when you naturally gave thanks with your whole heart.

H — Hold the wound before Jesus.
E — Explore feelings and beliefs.
A — Ask Jesus to show you the truth.
L — Listen for Jesus’ response.

Realize that wounds can create a wall that might include

W — Wounds: Trauma or hurt experiences.
A — Assumptions: False beliefs formed from wounds (e.g., "I am unlovable").
L — Lifelong vows: Decisions made to cope (e.g., "I must control everything").
L — Limiting strongholds: Ways of thinking that negatively dominate life (anger, people-pleasing, withdrawal).

Jesus wants to heal all of these. But it might take time until your capacity in enlarged to the point you can.

Gratitude and wise healing belong together

If you are struggling with deep grief, trauma, depression, addiction, or thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out to a trusted person and seek appropriate professional support.

Seeking help is not a failure of faith.

Sometimes God’s answer arrives through a pastor. Sometimes through a friend. Sometimes through a counsellor, doctor, or support group.

A grateful heart can still ask for help.
A grateful heart can still set boundaries.
A grateful heart can still seek justice.
A grateful heart can still say, “This relationship is not safe for me.”

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

Challenge to Start Having Well Healed Wounds

Maybe your heart still feels tender today. Maybe you are not ready to give thanks in everything.

Then begin with one thing. Learn to give thanks with all your heart. Decide to give thanks, feel gratitude for what you gave thanks for and show appreciation for what you felt grateful for.

Do not despise small gratitude. A small seed can grow. A small beam of light is still light. A small step toward Jesus is still a step toward healing.

If you want to train yourself to do this naturally, try the 70-Day Gratitude Challenge. You can join anytime, or join us on the next campaign.

The Live LIGHT 70-Day Gratitude Challenge

In 21 days you’ll be 10% happier. In 3 sets of 21 days —or 63-70 days we actually creates new neural pathways in our brains so it becomes natural for you to give thanks always….which is God’s will for you.

Learn more and sign up to get daily help to feel grateful for free at https://revtrev.link/thanks

Conclusion

The one healed man in Luke 17 returned to Jesus. That is where our gratitude must lead us. Not merely to positive thinking. Not merely to a better attitude.

Back to Jesus.

He is the one who meets us in our sorrow. He is the one who bears our grief. He is the one who forgives our sin, restores our hope, and gives us peace and hope and joy that circumstances cannot provide.

When we return to Jesus, we remember that our identity is not defined by what happened to us.

The cross tells us that God is able to bring redemption out of suffering. The resurrection tells us that death and loss do not have the final word.

So we give thanks—with our whole heart, in every situation—not because every chapter is easy or good, but because Jesus is present in every word written in our book of life.

Gratitude respects the wound but protects your hope.

Closing prayer

Can I Pray for Well Healed Wounds?

Father, thank You for Your goodness, mercy, forgiveness, and faithful presence. Meet us in our anxiety, grief, and emotional pain. Teach us to bring our needs to You with thanksgiving and exchange our problems for your peace.

Help us remember what You have done and trust You with what lies ahead. Let the peace of Christ guard our hearts and minds. Restore what has been wounded, strengthen our faith, and help gratitude grow within us, even in difficult circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen.

How Gratitude Keeps You From Falling

​Discover God’s key to standing strong through life’s challenges. Learn how faith and divine guidance help you avoid falling and stay grounded.

​Trevor H Lund helps capable and caring people—who are growing weary in doing good—move from striving and stress to peace and purpose as they rediscover and enjoy the life God created them for. He does this as an encourager, writer, and authorpreneur. He encourages through his blog, podcast, and live casts at https://revtrev.com/, shares his writing at https://trevorlund.com/, and teaches in Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca/.

Listen to How Gratitude Keeps You From Falling

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Read How Gratitude Keeps You From Falling

​Have you ever wondered what God’s will is you? It’s an interesting study and you need to know God wants you to know his will. I’ll give you a quick overview of the times the Bible authors say “It’s God’s will…” We need to pay attention to them anytime they come up.

Here’s the three places I’ve found so far…

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT): God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honour

1 Peter 2:15 (NLT): It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

So God’s will for us is to be holy, live honourable, rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.

We’re to be holy because he is holy. We’re to be honourable because He sends rain on the just and unjust. We’re to rejoice, pray and give thanks because it makes us more like him.

He rejoices over us with singing and quiets us with his love. He invites us into the cosmic dance called prayer because we become more and more like what we worship and we give thanks because it give us his mind about situations we face in the day to day of everyday.

Why focus on Gratitude?

Today we’re going to look at the fact it is God’s will for us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all situations.

How can we practically do that today?

Is it even reasonable for us to in our busy lives?

Not only should we be doing it. I have found it to be a key God has given to us to not fall—regardless of the situation we are facing—but I’m going to warn you—we need to do it with our whole heart.

Can I pray?

The reality we face

You and I will have times, and days and seasons when circumstances may it very hard to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.

And we have a perfect example of this in the book of Job.

Job’s hopeful life

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

What happened behind the scenes

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

When hope disappeared

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

Job’s Response

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Satan isn’t done

Job 2:1-9 One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

Job’s wife’s Response

Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

What we can learn about gratitude

If you know the rest of the story you know it goes on and on and on and on. It’s a beautiful poem in Hebrew.

Three friends come and they don’t know how to give safe space for Job to self-express his thoughts feelings and emotions without judgement, criticism or condemnation. Instead they give him judgement, criticism and condemnation.

Have you ever had friends like that?

My experience

When I was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack I had a friend come and talk to me his problems and not ask me about mine - at least I didn’t feel any judgement, criticism or condemnation.

We may never have had the highs and lows Job had, but If you’ve been on the journey with God for any length of time you will have felt like Job must have felt, or how his wife for sure felt.

What did you think his wife thought?

• Her Stable Life Shattered: Job was described as a prosperous and upright man, blessed with a large family, wealth, and good health. As his wife, she shared in this comfortable and secure life.
• She Lost Children: Job's ten children died suddenly when a great wind struck the house where they were feasting.
• She Lost Wealth: Job's livestock and servants were taken or killed by raiders and natural disasters.
• She must have been in Shock and Grief: The cumulative loss of their entire family and possessions in a short time would have caused overwhelming grief, fear, and despair.
• She probably feared Isolation: In their culture, a woman’s status was often tied to her husband’s wellbeing. Job’s suffering likely isolated her socially.
• She undoubtedly had Emotional Burden: She had to watch her husband suffer while grieving for their children and former life.

It’s often tougher on the spouse of the one going through health difficulties. They get very little support

TIP: Ask the spouse how they’re doing BEFORE you ask them how their spouse is doing.

What Job’s Wife Must Have Felt

Grief: Losing all her children and wealth would bring deep sorrow.
Fear: Facing an uncertain future without resources or family.
Hopelessness: Witnessing her husband's suffering and possibly feeling powerless to help.
Frustration/Despair: Urging Job to curse God suggests she was struggling with faith or could not understand why they were suffering so much.

We all will have times we feel like Job’s wife.

You need to know that you’re not surprising God or offending him when you have those feelings. He invites you to pour your heart out to him.

If you’re there now. If you’re thinking “I wish I could curse God and die.”

TIP: Go into the Psalms and find a Psalm that feels the way you do. Then camp out on it until you know God knows how you feel and you exchange your problems for his peace.

But for the rest of us—if we’re not feeling that way—you need to know that God has key to keep us from falling. It’s a rhythm we can have in the day-to-day of our everyday. It comes from these two thoughts we find in scripture.

Gratitude transforms our perspective; worship sustains our steps.

Where do I get this?

It comes from where we see the opposite happening—the thing I want to encourage you to avoid.

Romans 1:21-22 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

Why is it important that worship God as God?

When we don’t worship God as God or even give him thanks our thinking becomes foolish. We start calling good evil and can start calling evil good. We fall away from His presence. We fall out of his will. We fall from the faith. The fruit of spirit stops growing and we start to follow the desires of our sinful nature. And what seemed like foolishness starts making sense.

We have all of creation to look at and see there is a God. But it’s too common of a conversation for me to have that people acknowledge that, but never worship Him as God.

They make up their own ideas about what happens when they die and it affects how they live their life. There’s no Lordship of Christ in their lives. And it’s sad as they live without peace and hope and joy. It’s tragic when they’re about to face eternity and their hope is based on their own ideas, not the word of God.

Make sure you always worship God as God. Don’t lose the awe. Acknowledge he is Lord and live like He’s Lord of your life. Find out what pleases the Lord - His will is for you is to be holy, live honourable, rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances and to find out what pleases Him.

Why is it important that we give thanks?

Besides we know it’s his will for us, gratitude is something we’ve studied psychologically. It does us a lot of good.

Greater life satisfaction and positive emotions
Lower levels of depressive symptoms
Better relationships
More generous and helpful behaviours
Improved sleep
Possible physical health benefits
Greater resilience during hardship

• Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life.
• Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration.
• Dickens, L. R. (2017). Using gratitude to promote positive change: A series of meta-analyses investigating the effectiveness of gratitude interventions.
• Allen, S. (2018). The science of gratitude. Greater Good Science Center.

So that’s is why is it so important that we worship him as God and give him thanks:

Gratitude transforms our perspective; worship sustains our steps.

Where do we see it in the positive?

Gratitude Transforms our perspective

Philippians 4:6–7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

With gratitude—when you exchange your problems for His peace—your anxiousness is replaced by his peace. Your perspective changes when you give thanks with your whole heart.

Worship sustains our steps

Isaiah 40:29–31
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Gratitude helps us trust God to good and in a good mood. When we trust God is good and in a good mood—worship is the natural expression of a thankful heart.

Gratitude transforms our perspective; worship sustains our steps.

Does This Really Matter?

We are all going to face grief. We’re all going to come face-to-face with fear. We’re all going to have times of hopeless. There will be times we are in frustration and despair.

You may have lived your life the best way you knew how. You may have done all you knew how to do and still there is problem, after problem after problem and the blessing that used to overwhelm all get stripped away.

If you haven’t yet be forewarned you need to know God hasn’t left you without a path through.

How did you make it through?

Did you become better or did you become bitter?

We can all stumble. We can all fall. (see James 3:2)

Remember the proverb:

Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,"

And the psalm:

Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

We can stumble…but we never want to fall. We don’t want to fall away. We don’t want to curse God and die.

1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

What If?

What if—though you may stumble—you know you’d never fall?

What if you could naturally rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances? What if it wasn’t forced and wasn’t toxic?

Imagine

What does it feel like to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances?

You’ve been there. You’ve had times and seasons when it flowed naturally. When you have peace that remains steady no matter what storms arise—a deep calm rooted in trust. Joy bubbling up from within, independent of external situations, a lightness in your heart. A constant conversation with God, where your mind and heart stay connected throughout the day—like breathing in and out. Strength and resilience that come from knowing you’re not alone, that every moment is held by something greater. Freedom from worry—replaced by surrender and hope—even when life feels uncertain or hard. It’s an ongoing attitude, a choice to live with an open heart—celebrating, trusting, and thanking no matter what.

You were created for this. You were created to walk with God in garden in cool of day.

If it was lost in fall, it was restored at the cross.

You don’t have to conform, you can be transformed.

You don’t have to be like Job’s wife. You can endure anything and have your faith grow.

How can you endure and grow?

That’s a great question. I’m so glad you asked.

That’s why I developed the Make Space to Be in AWE tool

Gratitude transforms our perspective; worship sustains our steps.

I want to praise God and give thanks to Him everyday. I do it at the start of my prayer time.

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Make Space to Be in AWE tool

Give Thanks to God with All Your Heart

A - Awareness — Decide intentionally to give thanks
W - Witness — Feel gratitude for what you give thanks for
E - Express — Show appreciation for what you feel gratitude for which naturally becomes worship when you give thanks to God with all your heart. (See Psalm 9:1, Psalm 111:1, Psalm 119:7)

Practice giving thanks to God with all your heart.

Remember

Gratitude transforms our perspective; worship sustains our steps.

Challenge to start Gratitude

The challenge today is to use the Make Space to Be in AWE tool l everyday.

I use it at the start of my prayer time. I enter his gates with thanksgiving and naturally flow into worship and praise. But use it whenever you feel AWE… maybe it’s when you see the sunrise, or stop to consider a flower, or see your kids pictures on the mantel…The challenge is to slow down enough to be in AWE.

Next Steps to Grow Gratitude

If you had trouble with practicing giving thanks to God with your heart…

I’m going to be running a the Live LIGHT 70-Day Gratitude Challenge from Friday, September 18, 2026 – Thursday November 26, 2026.

The challenge is everyday for 70 days

Decide to give thanks
Feel gratitude for what you give thanks for
Show appreciation for what you feel gratitude for

In 21 days you’ll be 10% happier. This has been proven by scientific studies. Neuroplasticity tells us doing something 3 sets of 21 days —or 63-70 days actually creates new neural pathways in our brains so it becomes natural for you to give thanks always….which is God’s will for you.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time to plant a tree is today.

The best time to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances was the day you made Jesus your Lord. The next best time is today.

You like to get into the gratitude challenge at get daily prompts to give thanks you can start today https://revtrev.link/thanks Or join with everyone else on September 18.

Conclusion

In this world you will have problems, but take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.

God’s key to not falling when those problems come is to prepare today to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.

Start by Make Space To Be in AWE. Give thanks daily with all your heart to God.

Can I Pray for You?

Communal Prayer Based on Psalm 16

Keep us safe, our God,
for in you we take refuge.
We say to the Lord, “You are our Lord;
apart from you we have no good thing.”

Lord, you alone are our portion and our cup;
you make our lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places;
surely we have a delightful inheritance.

We will praise the Lord, who counsels us;
even at night our hearts instruct us.

We keep our eyes always on the Lord.
With him at our right hand, we shall not be shaken.

Therefore our hearts are glad and our tongues rejoice;
our bodies also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon us to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful ones see decay

You make known to us the path of life;
you fill us with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

How Holy Spirit Helps You Reach Your Missions to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and Ends of the Earth

​Discover practical steps to find joy and purpose as you fulfill your mission in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

​Learn how to enjoy and embrace each stage of your spiritual mission—whether in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or the ends of the earth. This video offers practical guidance and encouragement for fulfilling your calling with joy and purpose. Perfect for anyone seeking clarity and motivation in their faith journey. Subscribe for more insights and inspiration on living out your mission!

​Trevor H Lund is an encourager, writer, and authorpreneur dedicated to helping people discover peace, joy, and hope in all circumstances. He encourages others through his blog, podcast, and live casts at revtrev.com, shares his writing at trevorlund.com, and teaches in Live LIGHT Academy at livelight.ca.

​Listen To How Holy Spirit Helps You Reach Your Mission to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and Ends of the Earth

Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts https://revtrev.com/radio

Watch the replay of How Holy Spirit Helps You Reach Your Mission to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and Ends of the Earth

Read the Notes from How Holy Spirit Helps You Reach Your Mission to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and Ends of the Earth

​When Jesus was saying good-bye to his disciples they kept asking him if now—after his death and resurrection—he’d free Israel and restore the kingdom.

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 NLT

Did you catch that? In my experience we guilt people into sharing their faith. How can you be in an evangelical church and not be evangelize personally?

Guilt is not good motivation to reach Your Mission

It’s easy to make Christians feel guilty for not being excited always share their faith.

I’ve found guilt is not a good motivator of people. And that’s the opposite of what Jesus taught His disciples. He sent them out to perform miracles and tell people about the kingdom. And then he told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them to be His witnesses.

That call—to receive power to be His witnesses—is still with us today. And you and I have our own Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and ends of the earth.

The supernatural act of being transferred from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of Light cannot be done by natural means. Any program that uses some earthly strategy and denies the power of Holy Spirit needed to accomplish it, has a form of godliness but denies the power therein (2 Timothy 3:5). Isn’t something we should entertain.

Our Part - God’s Part in Your Mission

We have a part—YES— but God has a much bigger role. Consider this:

• No one can come to God unless the Father draws them. - John 6:44
• No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:3
• Jesus, being lifted up, draws everyone to himself - John 12:32

The whole Godhead has a role in the revelation of Jesus Christ to each of our hearts.

Really, our role is so minor, but so necessary. Yet even in our role Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

What I’m trying to say about Your Mission

What I’m trying to say is this:

Please don’t do in the natural what was meant for the supernatural.

Take a page out of Paul’s book:

They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. Romans 15:18-19

We can’t get overwhelmed with the call - because we can’t finish in the flesh what was started in the Spirit. (Galatians 3:3)

Time to get to the strategy for Your Mission

Saying all that…Jesus and His disciples had a different strategy for Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. And every one these strategies include the supernatural to work through them.

Your Mission to Jerusalem

So let’s start by looking at Jerusalem.

I’ve got some good news and some not some good news for you.

The good news is you have people around you who love you, or at least like you and want the best for you. These are family and friends who are like family.

God wants you to know He cares—even more than you do—for them. He wants you to love them so they can love Him and love others.

You know them. You love them.

You know what they like and don’t like.

You know how they like to communicate and how they won’t communicate.

You have been trained and bred and positioned and entrusted to reach this mission field.

This is your Jerusalem. It’s those closest to you, the ones most familiar to you, the ones you’re comfortable with.

That’s the good news.

God loves the people you love and has done everything necessary for them to be in right relationship with Him.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for you and your children and all who are far off. (Acts 2:39)

The not so good news is that family and friends who are like family are the ones who know you the best as well…and that means it’s tough.

It’s not easy. It’s tough.

It’s tough. Jerusalem is the place that can kill us.

Jesus said

“In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” Luke 13:33

The ones closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most. It can be intentional or unintentional. They want the best for us—even though they may not know what the best is for us. And they can mess up our best very easily and unwittingly. They can be embarrassed by us or embarrassed for us.

It’s not easy. It’s tough.

It was tough for Jesus and it can be tough for us.

Your Mission to Reach your Jerusalem is tough

It’s tough.

Our family and friends who are like family won’t be the first to believe us.

Jesus had that problem. John tells us

John 7:5 (NLT) For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

It’s tough.

Our family and friends who are like family don’t give us the same respect a stranger will.

Jesus had that problem.

Mark 6:4 (NLT) Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”

It’s tough.

Our family and friends who are like family are the ones who know the words that can hurt.

Jesus had that problem.

John 7:3–5 (NLT) Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

It’s tough.

Our family and friends who are like family are the first to call us crazy.

Jesus had that problem.

Mark 3:21 (NLT) When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, you’re not going to be able to force yours.

It’s tough. But you and I can do what Jesus did and taught us to do.

It’s tough.

Our family and friends who are like family are the ones who question who YOU are and who YOU are becoming.

Jesus had that problem.

The cousin who declared Jesus the lamb of God - later asked him if he was the one or if he got it wrong. Jesus’s response shows us his focus. He said

Luke 7:22 NLT “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.””

His strategy for us to reach our Jerusalem is

Inexplicable Transformation

Wives, how are you to win your husband? Is it to talk him over to your side? Can you nag him to Christ? You know that won’t work. Peter says

1 Peter 3:1-2 NLT …even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

That is Inexplicable Transformation. You are yourself—showing Jesus— more and more to the ones you love.

It’s in the day-to-day of everyday that people see you reveal more and more of Jesus to them.

Transformation is Holy Spirit’s work.

We can’t show inexplicable transformation in our own strength, or our own goodness. When we do we’re the ones to get the glory. When Holy Spirit does the work, Jesus gets the credit.

What’s our role in transformation?

Romans 12:2 HCSB “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Do not be conformed but be transformed.

How are we transformed?

We are being transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2

But it’s still God helping us

Ephesians 4:21-23 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Did you catch that? “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”.

It’s Holy Spirit who transforms us. It’s not something we can do in ourselves. We didn’t save ourselves, we won’t transform ourselves. We can’t finish in the flesh what was started in the Spirit. In fact, Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Holy Spirit empowers us to transform.

Jesus result

Jesus did not let the difficult dynamic of his family overshadow his purpose. And because he didn’t, their story has a happy ending. Do you know what happened to Jesus’ family?

They moved from mocking to worship

Acts 1:14 (NLT) They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

One brother became an apostle (Gal. 1:19) and others became missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:5).

We need to give our family and friends who are like family space, time, and grace to change. They need to see Jesus in us. Holy Spirit will finish the good work He’s started in them.

Your Mission to Judea

When it comes to being witnesses for Jesus in our Judea I have good news for you and not so good news for you and some real good news for you.

Good news - “Judea” are people you are really comfortable with. They’re not really what you’d call close friends, but you could be friends or would be friends if you could. You trust them enough to do business with them. You drive each other’s kids to practice or games. You speak their language. You live in their world. You like these people. These people will probably not kill you.

Not so good news - Jesus warned that some will judge you, hate you, persecute you and call you names, flog you and send you to judges.

But the real good news - They’re not really doing it to you, they’re doing it to Jesus and He has some strategies for you to be as shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves.

Your role: follow your compassion.

God’s role: Show the Kingdom through you.

I’m going to tell you the account of when Jesus sends out his 12 disciples in Matthew 10. We’ll look at the reason for the commissioning and the commission. Then we’ll jump ahead to His warning. Then we’ll go back to the strategy He gives them and see how we can apply it today.

Matthew 9:35 - 10:7 NLT

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Notice a few things here. First, Jesus had compassion on the crowd. Compassion always moves God. It’s not need that moves the hand of God. It’s His compassion. Be led by your compassion. We’re told not to turn off our compassion. (1 John 3:17)

Remind me if I don’t this up later. This is huge for us.

Next, Jesus has his disciples to pray for workers to get in the field, then immediately sends them to be workers in the field. Pay attention to prayer burdens—it’s a good place for compassion to lead from. God may be setting you up to be moved by compassion.

Let your compassion lead you. Remember to pray and obey and oh yah…let the supernatural flow through you.

Now let’s jump down to some of the warnings Jesus gives them - verse 16.

Matthew 10:16-25 NLT “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

Notice again, it’s family that can kill you. People in Judea will judge you, hate you, persecute you and call you names. ... Whip you and send you before judges.

That’s not the good news, but it’s news we need to be ready for.

Reaching our Judea isn’t something that can be done without the empowering of Holy Spirit.

We just don’t proclaim the Kingdom, we show the Kingdom…let’s get into that. Let’s look at Jesus’s strategy for them and strategy for us.

Matthew 10:7-15 NLT Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

Let me sum up

Jesus’ strategy for them to reach Judea.

Supernatural Interaction and Counterintuitive Reciprocity

Supernatural Interaction

The “Go” in His statement actually means “As you go…”

It’s in the day-to-day of everyday that we declare the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s in our everyday, going to work, eating, sleeping, breathing lives. It’s not an event or a one-time mission trip. It’s as we go we proclaim the good news.

What is the good news?

Jesus is king, and that’s a good thing.

The Kingdom is near, because it’s in us. The Kingdom is here because Jesus is King and that’s a good thing.

Jesus said:

As you go announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.

Too often the supernatural is ignored in discipleship training because people allow their experience to dictate theology instead of teaching what Jesus taught.

The supernatural is essential in reaching those in Judea. We can’t deny that. We can’t ignore it. We can’t keep it behind the walls of the church. It’s for those who God wants to show Jesus is King and that’s a good thing. They need to see it before they believe it.

We can teach you these things and release you in these things.

Understand these signs will follow those who believe…

Mark 16:17-18 NLT These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Start to expect the miraculous signs. Don’t be satisfied with what you can figure out in your own brain. Pay attention to what God is doing when you feel compassion.

I’ve found when I don’t shut off compassion God surprises me with signs and wonders. When I am led by compassion I get to see more of the miracles of God.

Supernatural Interaction and
Counter-intuitive Reciprocity

What did Jesus tell them to do?

Stay in the town, for as long as people are willing to serve you.

His key of counterintuitive reciprocity was “Let them serve you.”

Talk about being as shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves.

Let them serve you.

Conclude Judea

So to reach your Judea—the people you like and who like you— show them supernatural interaction and use counterintuitive reciprocity.

I can explain why this works on so many levels. I can show you how it’s worked in my life, but no time right now. For now let’s move on to Samaria.

Your Mission to Samaria

If Jerusalem is where we are home and Judea is the place we’re the most comfortable, Samaria is the place Jesus takes us where we are not the most comfortable.

The not really good news:

Samaria are people we’re not naturally connected with. They are people who don’t know you and may already be judging you.

We’re not in the same social groups or ethnic groups, or religious group or political group or gender group or married group, or generational group or…. We might not self-identify like they do. They are outside our personal circles.

If you thought the first two were tough, this one is going to make you uncomfortable… but it’s worth it.

Jesus will take us to the place we’re not the most comfortable.

Following Jesus is not easy. If anyone has told you it is easy they’re either ignorant or lying.

Jesus said:

Luke 9:23-26 NLT Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

He also said

John 15:18-20 NLT “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you

He also said

Luke 14:26-27 NASB “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

So what made you think he wouldn’t take you where you not comfortable?

What makes you think your comfort is any of his concern?

I realize this is not good news.

The good news:

The strategy Jesus and the apostles give us for Samaria is Miraculous Action and Radical Compassion

Miraculous Action

John 4 and Acts 8 both specially focus on supernatural gifts and miracles taking place in Samaria. It is the core of what Jesus did, and later what Philip did, and after him what Peter and John did when they were in Samaria. There were signs and wonders and miracles that proceeded the teaching.

It seems the places we’re most uncomfortable are places God reveals His power.

We can take you on Treasure Hunts and you can experience this for yourself.

Radical Compassion

It was towns in Samaria that didn’t want Jesus to come in when he was heading towards Jerusalem to die:

Luke 9:52-56 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

The amazing thing is it was in Samaria that Jesus said:

John 4:35 -38 NLT Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

You can be the answer to somebody else’s prayer.

Sometimes we plant, sometimes we water, sometimes we harvest. God is one who brings the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

When we plant, water and see the harvest it’s awesome. We rejoice with all the angels in heaven. (Luke 15:10) It’s glorious.

When we reap where we didn’t plant or water, it’s awe-inspiring and humbling. Whenever we see we’re the answer to somebody else’s prayer it’s awesome!

Who might be the ones who you’re not the most comfortable with?

Maybe it’s social-economic? Are you not the most comfortable around successful people? Or maybe you’re not the most comfortable around people who don’t have much?

Maybe it’s religious lines you don’t want to cross? Are you not the most comfortable around people of different faith or no faith?

Maybe it’s generational gaps? Are you not the most comfortable around people younger or older than you?

Maybe it’s behavioural? Are you not the most comfortable around people who practice what you know is sin?

Maybe it’s cognitive? Are you not the most comfortable with people who don’t think the same way do you?

Other? Is Holy Spirit highlighting a specific group?

I don’t think any of us are comfortable with everyone all the time. I believe there are people we just don’t feel comfortable around and are not the most comfortable getting to know them. I’m not suggesting you put yourself in harms way. I’m not saying you have to hang around violent, angry people when they are violent and angry.

I am saying you need to have eyes to see, ears to hear and hands to do what Holy Spirit is leading you to do. He will work all things together for the good of those He’s called.

Your role: is to risk being uncomfortable Luke 9:52-56

God’s role: send us to harvest where we didn’t plant John 4:35 -38

Finally we get to the ends of the earth.

Your Mission to Ends of the earth

If Jerusalem is where we are home and Judea is the place we’re the most comfortable, Samaria is the place Jesus takes us where we are not the most comfortable, the ends of the earth we can understand as everybody everywhere.

The Good News

We know God’s strategy for us to reach everybody, everywhere.

We know that’s what God wants to see in all of us and what the world needs to see in all of us.

God’s strategy for us to reach the ends of the earth is Unconquerable Hope!

Where do I get this?

Peter writes to :

1 Peter 1:1 …God’s elect, scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

Peter is talking to those scattered. They’ve moved beyond Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. He gives them this strategy in 1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

The Not so Good News about Your Mission to the Ends of the Earth

We can expect to be slandered and…. hope is seen most clearly in hurt (Romans 5:3-5).

People need to see the hope in you before they can ask about it and stop their malicious talk against you.

They need to see your hope and peace and joy, so they’ll ask the reason for it.

Biblical Hope

Biblical hope is the antithesis of wishful thinking, it’s not something you can manufacture. Peace is not something you can pretend to have. You can’t “fake-it-til-you-make-it” with joy.

It is a supernatural gift of almighty Father to have hope and peace and joy at all times and in every situation.

We have a role.

Romans 15:13 says: The God of all hope fills us with all peace and joy AS WE TRUST IN HIM so we can overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit.

We have a role. Our role is to trust God.

God’s role: to fill you with peace and joy so you can overflow with hope.

It’s by the power of Holy Spirit that we can overflow with hope - no matter with what life and the enemy throws at us.

When people see your peace and joy in the middle of your hurt they will ask about your hope.

When they ask you about your hope…

This tool helps in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and in the ends of earth to share your faith. I want you to remember 3 simple things — A.B.C.

Your Mission and the A.B.C.’ S sharing your faith…

A. Avoid Any Agenda

Be interested in the person - people love to talk about themselves.

If they don’t—realize they don’t trust you and—work on building trust. Hint: trust takes time. It’s not a one-and-done conversation, it’s a process to build trust. Many people move toward faith gradually. Sometimes you plant, sometimes you water. (1 Corinthians 3:6) Sometimes you harvest where you haven’t planted or watered. (1 Corinthians 3:6) Don’t make a person a project.

B. Build a Bridge, Not a Wall

Instead of leading with disagreement, look for common ground and relationship. Learn to turn normal conversations to spiritual ones.

Want to know the quickest way to come around walls?

Ask Holy Spirit: What do you love of about them? Call it out in them.

Learn to work naturally with the supernatural.

C. Compassion Charts your Course

Compassion leads us where God wants us to be. Don’t judge people by appearance, personality, politics, or outward vibe. See them as people God loves. Compassion gives you eyes to see, ears to hear and hands to do what Holy Spirit is leading you to do.

Know your ABC’s to reach people everywhere.

Review Your Mission

Your Mission to To reach Jerusalem

People who love you—you need Inexplicable Transformation
Your role: Put to death what belongs to your earthly nature.
God’s role is to empower you to transform more and more into the image of Jesus.

Your Mission to reach Judea

People who like you—you need Supernatural Interaction and Counterintuitive Reciprocity
Your role: follow your compassion.
God’s role: Show the Kingdom through you.

Your Mission to reach Samaria

People who don’t like you and who you might not like—you need Miraculous Action and Radical Compassion
Your role: is to risk being uncomfortable
God’s role: work all things together for the good.

Your Mission to reach the Ends of the Earth

Everybody Everywhere you need Unconquerable Hope
Your role: Trust God
God’s role: to fill you with peace and joy so you can overflow with hope.

Conclusion

You see this dance we’re in to always share. It was never created to make us feel guilty for not sharing. It was created to empower us to share God’s love with everyone. We weren’t met to do this on our own personalities and abilities but by the power of Holy Spirit working through us. Let Him work through you as you walk by the Holy Spirit keep in step with Holy Spirit.

Who are you believing for in your Jerusalem?
Who are you praying for in your Judea?
Who are you risking for in your Samaria?
Who are you giving the answer for your hope to?

Remember you have a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. Celebrate the father’s in your life today.
Remember the joy of your own salvation as you congratulate those who passed through the waters of baptism this morning in response to Jesus’s knocking, the Father’s drawing and Holy Spirit’s empowering.
Remember to always be ready to share the reason for your hope.