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Monday, 3 June 2024

Can My Weary Soul Rejoice Again?

We’ve been learning what waiting is all about. We know that when Jesus comes, everything changes. We know the best is yet to come, but what do we do as we wait for him? Is the thrill of hope even possible when we have a weary soul? Learn how to keep hope alive while confronting the most brutal facts of your current reality with this message of hope.

Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com. Subscribe and set notifications on YouTube at https://revtrev.com/tv and visit https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

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O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

Two thousand years ago, when the world seemed still and life was going on in it’s normal frustration, there was a flurry of activity in the heavenly realm. To us, it appeared that nothing would ever change. But soon heaven would burst into life right in front of our eyes.

That night, long ago, when most people were fast asleep, a group of shepherds were watching their sheep. They probably had a fire going, quietly chatting among themselves. There was not a sound but the soft night noises of sheep in the pasture. And in that quiet, hidden place a burst of light appeared and angels from heaven sang to shepherds. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace on whom his favour rests.”

Can you imagine yourself sitting there by the fire with the warm glow lighting your face, a soft blanket around your shoulders, a hot drink between your hands.

It might feel like nothing will ever change. It may feel like heaven is silent for you. It might feel that God has no interest in your life. It may feel that all around is darkness… nothing…. silence.

But God… God bursts heaven into our world and gives us the the thrill of hope.

God is always working behind the scenes for your good. His angels announced peace on those on whom his favour rests. That’s you! He is called wonderful, counsellor, almighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace. He is Immanuel, God with us.

Our God is God of the suddenlies. You can once again know the thrill of hope.

You can know that regardless of what your feelings say…

At the right moment heaven will burst into light with singing over your life. He rejoices over you with singing.

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Do you have the thrill of hope? Does your weary soul rejoice?

You and I can have weary souls. We need real hope to keep us rejoicing.

The problem is hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Has your hope been disappointing you?

Let’s think of others players in this story. What about the wise men who traveled so far?

Can you imagine yourself walking under a star lit sky?

Can you see the the twinkling lights so vast in the darkness, as far as you can see?

The night sky can make us feel so insignificant, so lost.

One of my favourite Calvin and Hobbes comic strip has Calvin looking up into the night sky and yelling to the cosmos “I am significant!” followed two panes later with the thought…“screamed the speck of dust”

We can feel so insignificant, so lost.

But sometimes lost is OK.

Sometimes lost takes us places we would have never got to otherwise.

The magi might have felt lost… like they didn’t know where they were or where they were going.

But they knew they had to follow the star.

Sometimes we can be so determined not to get lost.

But this year we all find ourselves lost.

Our five year goals and life plans are out the window.

There has never been a better year to know…to really know… to live with the hope that will not disappoint.

We have been waiting. We have been floundering.

We have had the goal post moved again and again and again.

We thought there were answers. We’ve been disappointed.

We’ve been told to wait. We’ve been told be patient.

We’ve been told to wait more. We’ve been told to be more patience.

Hope can take us to places we could have never have imagined.

We might not even know what we’re looking for,

but we may find God himself in a way we didn’t expect.

We need to be like the wise men and follow our star.

What is the star for our weary soul?

It’s hope.

Real hope. It’s the the thrill of hope that allows the weary soul to rejoice.

Real hope comes with real faith and faith is our natural response to His revelation.

You can can have peace and joy and hope at all times an in every situation. It doesn’t come with sticking your head in the sand. It’s not guaranteed when it’s all rainbows and sunshine. It’s a walk of faith. The good news is God empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by faith and our faith is our natural response to his revelation.

Let me give you a tool to help you hope when you have a weary soul.

The HOPE when it hurts tool

HOPE

H - Hold on to testimony
O - Operate in reality
P - Pour out your heart to God
E - Engage your whole heart with hope

Let’s unpack this...

H - Hold on to testimony

Revelation 12:11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

What has God done for you in the past? What has he done for others? There is a power in story. Remember you own, engage with what others tell you. Testimony and journaling

Am I holding on to the testimony of what God has done?

O - Operate in reality

Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

If you’re not feeling like you’ve been floundering, you either have the patience of Job or you’re ignoring the realities of today.

Advent waiting - Not “let go and let God” but “trust God and get going”

Stockdale paradox

“This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

Am I confronting the most brutal facts of my current reality?

P - Pour out your heart to God

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms of lament allow us to pour out our complaint to God. Don’t worry that you’ll offend God with the truth of your emotion. He knows better than you what you feel like.

Your feelings might not make proper theological sense, but they show you want you really believe.

Take your complaint to God. Exchange your problems for his peace. You exchange your problems for his peace with thanksgiving.

Am I making use of lament?

E - Engage your whole heart with hope

Isaiah 40:27-31 Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Decision - speak to your soul

Psalm 42:11 TPT So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!

Instead of saying “Why me?” learn to ask Holy Spirit “What do you want me to learn?”

Action - do what helps with hope

Proverbs 3:5 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Rest - Mark 48:3 Jesus took naps. Be like Jesus. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.

Exercise - (joke) I wanted to go jogging but Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked run when no one is chasing them” so there’s that…

Life giving relationship - Proverbs 12:25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Emotion - have peace rule in your heart

Colossians 3:15 NLT And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Nothing is worth it if it costs you your peace.

Worry isn’t worth it if it costs you your peace.

Planning isn’t worth it if it costs you your peace.

Hoping isn’t worth it if it if it costs you your peace. Real hope will give you your peace not cost you your peace.

If you don’t have peace, Ask Holy Spirit what lie you are believing…Peace and Joy and Hope come from trusting God, so if you don’t have peace and joy and hope, it’s because your believing a lie more than you’re trusting God.

Use this statement to help you define what you’re feeling…

“It might not be true, but it feels like it’s true that…”

Do I hope with my whole heart?

Max Lucado describes hope this way:

“It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction.” (Max Lucado, God Came Near page 89)

Can your weary soul rejoice again?

Yes! Don’t let it go another day for you. Embrace the hope of God taking on flesh and camping out for a while. GOD with us!

The thrill of hope can be yours again.

Remember the Hope when it Hurts Tool

HOPE

H - Hold on to testimony - Revelation 12:11
O - Operate in reality - Hebrews 12:7
P - Pour out your heart to God - Philippians 4:6-7
E - Engage your whole heart with hope - Isaiah 40:27-31

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Can I pray?

Next Steps

Check out the Live LIGHT with your Whole Heart Course

Move from giving your problems a place of too much influence to having no fear of bad news even when it comes. Learn to Live LIGHT with your Whole Heart. This training is a game-changer if you want to avoid cognitive avoidance, cognitive dissonance and toxic behaviour. Learn why and how you can live with your whole heart today! >>> https://revtrev.link/heart

Monday, 29 April 2024

Enjoying God as Father

Enjoying God as Father - Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them? Learn how Jesus made the way for us to be friends again with the Father and why we can't just be servants or friends of God once we acknowledge He is Lord.

Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

Listen to Enjoying God as Father

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TL/DL/DW Get the notes for Enjoying God as Father

Enjoying God as Father

If you think you comprehend every thing about God, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about Him on some point. Let’s take the concept of the Trinity.

God is one. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Yah, let’s just briefly unpack that a little today. Let’s see how the Bible says they interconnect.

God is One. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Knowing (Omniscient)

Father:
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20)

Son:
“Now we understand that you (Jesus) know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” (John 16:30)

Holy Spirit:
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Present (Omnipresent)

Father:

“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)

Son:

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Holy Spirit:
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. (Psalm 139:7-10)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Loving (Omnibenevolent)

Father:
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Son:
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her (Ephesians 5:25)

Holy Spirit:
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:30)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all called “God”

Father:
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Philippians 1:2)

Son:
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Holy Spirit:
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” (Acts 5:3-4)

On the one hand...

...it shouldn’t surprise us. God is one and God is a tripartate being, because He made is in His image He made us tripartate beings. He made us with Spirit, Soul and Body

Spirit - that is saved and we’re seated together in spiritual places ruling and reigning with Christ Ephesians 2:6

Soul - that is being saved and means in this life we are becoming more and more like Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:18

Body - that will one day be saved and it means we have eternal hope that one day we’ll see Him as He is 1 Thessalonians 4:16

On the other hand…

...if you don’t have questions about how your body, soul and spirit interelate and coexist, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about that at some point.

Today I want to talk to you about the the first part of God’s nature and encourage you to enjoy God as Father.

The Problem

Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them?

Does this really matter?

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.
J.I Packer

If we can’t see God as our our good Father our view of this world and our place in it gets stunted. Jesus wants us to have life and life to the full.

The Story

Throughout the Bible we find God portrayed as a Father. This portrayal, however, is surprisingly rare in the Old Testament.

God is specifically called the

Father of the nation of Israel 8 times see ( Deut 32:6 ; Isa 63:16 ; 64:8 ; Jeremiah 3:4 Jeremiah 3:19 ; 31:9 ; Mal 1:6 ; 2:10 )

Father of certain individuals 15 times see ( 2 Sam 7:14 ; 1 Chron 17:13 ; 22:10 ; 28:6 ; Psalm 68:5 ; 89:26 )

At least another 9 times the father imagery is present although the term "Father" is not used see [ Exod 4:22-23 ; Deut 1:31 ; 8:5 ; 14:1 ; Psalm 103:13 ; Jer 3:22 ; 31:20 ; Hosea 11:1-4 ; Mal 3:17 ]

It’s interesting, there are at least 10 times that Female images of God in Hebrew Scriptures

10 Times There are Female Images of God in Hebrew Scriptures

Genesis 1:27 Women and Men created in God’s image
Hosea 11:3-4 God described as a mother
Hosea 13:8 God described as a mother bear and lioness
Deuteronomy 32:11-12 God described as a mother eagle
Deuteronomy 32:18 God who gives birth
Isaiah 66:13 God as a comforting mother
Isaiah 49:15 God compared to a nursing mother
Isaiah 42:14 God as a woman in labor
Psalm 131:2 God as a Mother
Psalm 123:2-3 God compared to a woman

This shouldn’t surprise us. God create created us in His image. Male and female he created us.

But then came Jesus...

But it wasn’t until Jesus came up out of the water and the Spirit descend like a dove and voice from heaven said “This is my beloved son, in whom I well pleased.

Then we come to the sermon on the mount and listen to the language He uses.

Read Matthew 5:43 - 6:34

Mathew 5:43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 6:1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Father in the sermon on the mount

Your Father is in heaven

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father knows what you need

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father forgives you

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father feeds...

Your Father knows that you need them.

Your Father is perfect

The problem with thinking of God as Father

I know many people have a hard time thinking about God in as“Father”...because of their experience with their earthly Father.

Often when people are abused or abandoned or offended they find it almost impossible to think of God in terms of Father.

But this is the term God defines Himself with…that’s the name Jesus emphasized.

We can’t let our experience define our theology. Our theology is defined by the word of God. Our experience will catch up if we allow it.

Have you ever wondered what the Father is really like?

Do you understand who God the Father is?

It’s too easy for us to look at our own fathers, or the greek god Zeus, or Santa Claus, and assign those attributes to our heavenly Father. But that view would be distorted.

Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 (NLT)

That’s because Jesus was the exact representation of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)

He only did what He saw the Father do

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. John 6:38 New Living Translation (NLT)

He only said what He heard the Father say

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
John 12:49-50 New Living Translation (NLT)

So let’s spend some time looking at Jesus so we can see the Father more clearly:

Jesus liked to party. Matthew 11:19 The Father rejoices over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Jesus loved his friends. John 15:13-14 The Father calls you the apple of His eye. Psalm 17:7-8

Jesus didn’t come to condemn. John 3:17 The Father is abounding in love. Psalm 86:5

Jesus healed all who were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38 The Father forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

Jesus had a passion for the house that consumed Him. John 2:17 The Father has a passion for His possession that is consuming. Zechariah 8:2

Your Father does good acts for you Psalm 103:4-6

Your Father has good thoughts for you Jeremiah 29:11

Your Father provides good protection for you Isaiah 43:1-3

It doesn’t matter what your experience has been with your earthly Father...

God wants you to experience what a real, a good, THE BEST Father can mean to you...

...will you let him?

What if you could trust God as your Good Father?

What if you knew - beyond intellectually - that he was working all things together for good.

What if you beleived - and felt that you believed he was providing everything you need?

What if you lived out the love He has for you?

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38

You might know this intellectually, but do you live it out in the day-to-day of your everyday?

Imagine

What life would be like if you lived it with a greater revelation of Father God? What would you do if you knew…really knew…REALLY KNEW… God was for you and not against you?

Solution

I’ve developed a tool based on what Jesus told us about Our Father in the sermon on the mount.

Am I Trusting God as Father Tool

ACTION

A - Accept God’s view of others

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

T - Trust God in private in prayer

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

O - Obey God when you fast

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Let’s unpack this...

A - Accept God’s view of others

Jesus said...

...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44

Do you?

Are you facing ridicule at work because you’re a Christian? Are you praying for the ones with the snide remarks? Trust your Daddy, he’ll take care of you.

Am I blessing those who curse me?

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

Jesus said...

...when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4

Do you?

I think this is something everyone does really well here in this church. I haven’t heard anyone stand up to testify how much they’ve given to anyone. It’s great. Your trusting your Father. Keep it up.

Am I letting God repay me for what I give?

T - Trust God in private in prayer

Jesus said...

...when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:6

Do you?

What’s your prayer life like? Do you always pray and never give up? Do you pray for a while and then give up? Trust your father knows what you need and thank him for what you have and what’s to come.

Am I exchanging my problem for God’s peace in prayer?

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

Jesus said...

....if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14

Do you?

No? How’s that bitterness treating you? Yes? Awesome. You’re trusting your Father will make it right for you. You’re allowing room for Him to avenge. Keep trusting the Father.

Is there anyone I need to forgive?

O - Obey God when you fast

Jesus said...

...when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:18

Do you?

I think this is another thing people in this church do really well...either that or we don’t fast :) Keep fasting to align with the Father and His will, not to earn something from Him or others. Trust that you have His favor already.

Father God, do you want me to fast?

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Jesus said...

...do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31

Do you worry about what you will eat, or what you will drink or what you will wear? How can you stop?

Am I worrying when I should be trusting?

If you want to know how to stop worrying, ask me. I have another tool for that.

Am I Trusting God as Father Tool

ACTION

A - Accept God’s view of others

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

T - Trust God in private in prayer

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

O - Obey God when you fast

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Am I trusting God as Father?

ACTION shows you that you are.

The God of peace will empower you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. Don’t do this on your own strength.

God is your Father and God is good.

You can trust Him even if you can’t trust your earthly Father. He won’t abandon you. He won’t abuse you. He won’t demean you.

He’s God. He’s good. He’s your Father.

Challenge

Ask Holy Spirit to reveal two things:

1. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal if you need to trust God with your whole heart in something.

Respond with confession and repentance.

2. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal a greater revelation of the Father and His Goodness.

Can I pray for you?

Holy Spirit reveal....Pray for a greater revelation of God as our good Father.

Sunday, 7 April 2024

God is Always With Us. Will I be with Him?

In the message, "God is always with us. Will I be with Him?", we explore the omnipresence of God and the significance of our choice to walk with Him every day. We will dive into how we can recognize God's presence in our lives and the steps we can take to ensure we are aligning our path with His. Whether you're facing challenges, seeking comfort, or looking for guidance, this message will remind you that you are never alone. Join us as we uncover the beauty of God's unwavering presence and how we can commit to being with Him in the day-to-day of our everyday.

Listen to God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

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God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

When was the last time you read through Exodus?

You’ll come to a point where Moses is on the mountain and people make an idol and worship it. Tablets the finger of God wrote on were smashed. Levites went through the camp killing any worshipping the idol.

Exodus 32:30 - 34:6 30 The next day Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ 31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’ 33 The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.’ 35 And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. 33:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.’ 4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.”’ 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb. 7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting’. Anyone enquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. 12 Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, “Lead these people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, “I know you by name and you have found favour with me.” 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’ 14 The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ 15 Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’ 17 And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.’ 18 Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ 19 And the Lord said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ 21 Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’ 34 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.’ 4 So Moses chiselled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Can we pray?

There is so much to unpack with what we just read, but to keep with what I want to focus on today, I’ll pull three keys from this package that teach us about the presence of God.

3 Truths Moses Teaches us about the presence of God

1. The presence of God is tangible.

Exodus 33:9 -11 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

2. The presence of God is identifying and transforming.

Exodus 33:15 -16 15 Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’

”When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.“ Acts 4:13 NIVUK

3. The presence of God can be sought.

Exodus 33:18 18 Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’

”My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.“ Psalms 27:8 NIVUK

How often would you say that you’re in His presence?

I’ve got news for you. Jesus said:

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age," - Jesus (Matthew 28:20)

God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

The presence of God

In Biblical Hebrew, the word often translated as the "presence" of God is פָּנִים (panim), which literally means "face."

In Koine Greek, the term commonly used for the "presence" of God is παρουσία (parousia). It means presence or coming. It’s used for the 2nd coming of Jesus.

The Bible tells us there are things that happen when we’re in the presence of God. I think it’s why Joshua stayed in the tent, even when Moses was done talking face-to-face with God.

14 Benefits of His Presence

Peace: Philippians 4:6-7
Rest: Exodus 33:14
Strength and Courage: Joshua 1:9
Guidance: Psalm 31:20
Protection: Psalm 91:1-2
Fullness of Joy: Psalm 16:11
Love: Romans 8:38-39
Freedom: 2 Corinthians 3:17
Healing: James 5:14-15
Wisdom: James 1:5
Provision: Philippians 4:19
Hope: Romans 15:13
Refreshment: Acts 3:19-20
Holiness: 1 Peter 1:15-16

“We can ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” —C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer

Imagine…

What would it be like to company with Jesus all day long? It could mean letting go of your need to manipulate, compete, and control. Maybe it would mean living as though the present moment has no competition and receiving each moment as sacred. You’d be abiding in Christ so that you see what he loves in those who would drain, irritate, and anger you. You would see yourself through God’s eyes rather than the eyes of others. Christ would be in your joy, sorrow, emptiness, and fullness. You’d remaining open and teachable all moments. You would growing in awareness of your constant need for God.

God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

Brother Lawrence was a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris in the 17th century, known for his profound spirituality and simplicity. His book was put together by Father Joseph de Beaufort in 1692, the year after Brother Lawerence’s death in 1691. “The Practice of the Presence of God” This work consists of his letters, along with records of his conversations and spiritual maxims.

“I make it my business to rest in His [Christ’s] holy presence which I keep myself in by a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God. This often causes in me joy and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.”- Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

He got too happy around monks who wanted more proper proprietary. But he found a secret that all of need to live from.

How do we practically practice the presence of God?

That’s a great question, here’s a tool to help you do that.

The Rhythm of Presence Tool

WORSHIP

Biblical Hebrew, the word commonly translated as "worship" is שָׁחָה (shachah) It means "to bow down," "to prostrate oneself," or "to pay homage."

In Koine Greek, the word often translated as "worship" is προσκυνέω (proskuneō). This term literally means "to kiss towards" or "to bow down,"

It’s a position of my heart, even though it can also be the position of my body.

It’s a bowing down on my plans and agenda, my wants and desires, my offendability and propriety. Worship is recognizing He is God. It can the the slow part of our song service. It should be in the day-to-day of our everyday.

It can be moments, but it shouldn’t just be moments. You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. This tool will help you create a rhythm to that in the day-to-day of everyday.

What does WORSHIP help us remember?

WORSHIP

W - Work as unto the Lord

O - Orientate to His thoughts

R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading

S - Stop throughout the day and listen to God

H - Help those who need help

I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them

P - Pray always with thanksgiving

W - Work as unto the Lord

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

We can work for the show, or the dough, or the worry or the hurry. Jesus told us in the sermon of the mount we shouldn’t be living that way. Instead, we’re to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us as well.

When we work as unto the Lord, we feel his pleasure on us in the day-to-day of everyday. The mundane becomes holy because He is there. Strife ceases and peace comes because He is there. In His presence is fullness of joy.

Does your work need some joy?

Whatever you do, work as if you’re working for Jesus and that it’s him you’re trying to please.

Do this knowing He rejoices over you with singing and he quiets you with His love.

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

Do I feel His pleasure on me?

O - Orientate to His Thoughts

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

How do we get His thoughts? The best place is in His Word.

It’s more important I have God’s thoughts than I have my own thoughts.

His opinion is the only one that matters.

It’s not just the written word, it’s the spoken word. It’s His spoken word that brings life.

1. God’s thoughts are deep

Psalm 92:5 (NLT) "O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts."

2. God’s thoughts are higher

Isaiah 55:9 (NLT) "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

3. God’s thoughts for me are precious

Psalm 139:17 (NLT) "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!"

4. God’s thoughts for me are too numerous to count

Psalm 40:5 (NLT) "O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them."

5. God’s thoughts for me are good and merciful

Psalm 144:3 (NLT) "O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?"

6. God’s thoughts for me speak life.

John 10:10 (NLT) "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

7. God’s thoughts are to all generations

Psalm 33:11 (NLT) "But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken."

8. God’s thoughts are personal

Matthew 10:29-30 (NLT) "What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered."

9. God’s thoughts are to prospers me and give me hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

How do I think about Your thoughts in the day-to-day of everyday?

R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading

Galatians 5:22- 25 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

His word is a lamp to your feet and light for your path. Seek His will in all you do. Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading in your life.

Do you go when he says go? Do you stay when He says “stay”.

You know when you’re keeping in step with the Spirit and when you’re doing your own thing. You can tell right?

In the day-to-day of your everyday do you feel His presence? Do you have his peace and hope and joy?

Follow those little nudges. Follow those connections that occur. Sometimes He will shout. Often he leads through the path of peace. Follow the path of peace. That’s not the same as the path of least resistance. It’s trusting Holy Spirit when He leads to do the difficult or counter-intuitive.

Have you been avoiding his leading?

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, Isaiah 30:15 Will you have any of it?

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

How can I regularly ask You what You want me to do?

S - Stop throughout the day to listen to God

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:27-29

Jesus had enough minutes every day. He wasn’t rushed (John 11:6) or influenced by other people’s schedules (John 7:3-6). He was never in a hurry and showed compassion with people’s intrusions (Mark 10:49). He took time with the Father (Mark 1:35) and time to recreate (John 2:2). He took time for meals, even after He died and rose again (John 21:13). He accomplished the work He was given to do (John 17:4).

Do you feel have enough time every day?

You can create rhythms that give you the confidence to know you’ve done everything He’s given you to do in a given day. Here’s three to get you started.

Abiding

It’s recognizing the rhythm of time spent and time sent.

It’s repenting from the thought of God’s time and my time.

All time is holy because I’m in His tangible presence and His presence is always with me. Do I spend time in His tangible presence?

Statio

It is recognizing God is everywhere present.

It’s repenting from the feeling of busyness as a lifestyle.

The best advice I’ve gotten as a pastor is to “walk slow”. Walking slow is a rhythm we should all embrace.

Statio is often meant to denote the moment between moments, or the pause between those times when you are doing things. You can think of it as a mini-transition. You already experience this several times a day, for example, when you are figuring out what to do next or when you take a momentary break to regroup. With statio you make the pause intentional. Rest in the now moment. Take a single mindful, desire-free breath and recognize that God is present HERE NOW.

When you’re waiting for your spouse or child, do you pull out TikTok, or do be still…and know…He is God?

Selah

71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk the word Selah occurs. We’re not quite sure what it means, but it probably means, “Pause to reflect and respond.”

Selah is different from Statio. Statio we recognize God is present. Selah we respond to His presence.

That could be praising Him 7 times a day. I might be… something we’re going to try today.

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

What rhythms do You want me to follow?

H - Help those who need help

Matthew 25:34-40 ‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

When we help those who need help we are helping Jesus. It’s Him in us that empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by faith.

Do you want to feel His presence? Help someone who needs it in His name.

As you refresh others, you are refreshed. As you bless others you are blessed.

Why is that? Maybe it’s because we get bless and we get refreshed in His presence and when we give a cold cup of water to someone we’re giving it to Jesus.

Galatians 6:7 -10 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

Am I aware and attentive to those who need help?

I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"

Did you know you can ask God what he loves about people? His answer gives you his perspective on others who can be giving you problems. Speaking His life into them changes the moment and can change their life, but will change yours.

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

What do You love about them?

P - Pray always with thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Prayer is the place where we bring our problems and exchange them for His peace. We decide to trust our worries to Him because He cares for us. Trust in Him brings us peace.

Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peace and joy comes from trusting the God of all hope.

Jesus’ peace he gives us and leaves with us. (John 14:27).

We’re told by the Psalmist we’re to seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)

Peace is proof of your trust in God and your authority in Christ. It’s the one thing we as followers of Christ can never be without. If we are ever without it, we know something is not right.

The question you can ask Holy Spirit:

Do I exchange my problems for His peace?

God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

WORSHIP

W - Work as unto the Lord

Do I feel His pleasure on me?

O - Orientate to His thoughts

How do I think about Your thoughts in the day-to-day of everyday?

R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading

How can I regularly ask You what You want me to do?

S - Stop throughout the day and listen to God

What rhythms do You want me to follow?

H - Help those who need help

Am I aware and attentive to those who need help?

I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them

What do You love about them?

P - Pray always with thanksgiving

Do I exchange my problems for His peace?

Challenge

Worship is bowing down to God. It recognizing He is God and I am not. It’s being aware of His presence and being changed in His presence so we can be more like the One we worship by His presence.

Will you WORSHIP Him in the day-to-day of your everyday?

God is always with us. Will you be with Him?

Psalm 27 a psalm of David

”The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.“ Psalms 27:1-14 NLT

Reflect and Respond… Selah

Play music… allow people to respond…

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Negativity Fast Reflection - Day 44 - I Pursue The Presence Of God

Today's Negativity Fast Reflection. Be encouraged to follow your soul's pursuit of God as a beacon through negativity in this deeply spiritual reflection.

Trevor Lund has helped over 10,000 people fast from negativity since 2006. find out how to Live LIGHT Above the Negativity https://revtrev.link/bless. Check out all the tips and tools to fast from negativity https://revtrev.link/tips. Join the negativity fast at https://revtrev.link/fast.

In His presence I find peace and rest, holiness and reverence, transformation and renewal, provision and protection, love and compassion and fullness of joy. Why am I not more constantly seeking His face always? (see Philippians 4:7; Matthew 11:28-29; Psalm 21:6; Exodus 3:5; Hebrews 12:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:18;Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 31:19-20; Psalm 91:1-2; 1 John 4:16; Psalm 86:15; Psalms 16:11)

I was created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. In heaven—where I’ll walk with Him on the streets made of translucent gold—I’ll have peace and comfort, satisfaction and fulfillment, love and contentment, awe and wonder, and praise and worship of the One. Why wait for heaven for it to start? (See Revelation 21:21; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 19:1;1 Corinthians 13:12-13; Revelation 7:16-17; Psalms 65:8-13)

I hear you say, “Come and walk and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” (Psalm 28:7)

May you be encouraged to do the same with this Negativity Fast Reflection - I Pursue The Presence Of God

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I pursue the presence of God. I learn His unforced rhythms of grace. It’s His presence that distinguishes me from all the people of the earth. I know He is in me and around and upon me and before me and behind me. I feel Him all around me and I wait for Him to speak to my spirit.

Have I waited in His presence lately?

Next Steps

Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Course - Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered to having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless

Live LIGHT Tips and Tools to fast from Negativity - Are you looking to make a difference in the attitudes and actions in your everyday world? Get these Tips and Tools to help you Fast from Negativity https://revtrev.link/tips

Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast

Carpe Vitae!

Sunday, 25 February 2024

Negativity Fast Reflection - Day 12 - My Hope Is Real

Today's Negativity Fast Reflection. Embrace positivity with this reflection journey on a negativity fast and discover how real hope transforms your life.

In a world inundated with negativity, it can be all too easy to succumb to the weight of pessimism and despair. But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle of negativity? Imagine embarking on a journey, not just any journey, but a negativity fast, where you intentionally distance yourself from negative influences and thoughts.

Today's Negativity Fast Reflection offers an opportunity for self-discovery and transformation as we delve into the power of hope. The God of all hope fills us with peace and joy as we trust in Him, so that we’ll overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit. Our hope is Jesus! This reflection journey promises to unveil the incredible impact that embracing positivity can have on our lives, challenging us to embrace real hope and experience its profound ability to shape our perspectives.

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My hope is real. It does not disappoint. My hope is not in potential or circumstance, it is in the person of my risen Lord. Because He lives, the best is yet to come! Because he goes before and behind me and is within me, my hope is real!

Have disappointments hardened my heart to hope?

Next Steps

Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast

Live LIGHT with Hope - Move from being hopeless to hope full. Learn to implement the ancient tools to overcoming the inconceivable news. https://revtrev.link/hope

Carpe Vitae!

Saturday, 10 February 2024

Negativity Fast Tips - How to stop the worry

Today's Negativity Fast Tip. End the cycle of worry with essential strategies—discover how to rise above anxiety and live more peacefully!

Trevor Lund has helped over 10,000 people fast from negativity since 2006. Check out all the tips and tools to fast from negativity https://revtrev.link/tips Join the negativity fast at https://revtrev.link/fast and find out how to Live LIGHT Above the Negativity https://revtrev.link/bless

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Let's start with how Peterson transliterated what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:25-26. He writes it this way:

He says, "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is more to life than the food you put in your stomach, more than the outer appearance of the clothes that you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more than the birds. Careless in the care of God."

I know a lot of Christians will say, and they almost take pride that they worry. "Well, I worry about this, and I worry about that." And that's the thing that comes out of their mouth all the time. I've also heard people say, "I'm a recovering worrier." That's awesome. "I don't worry as much as I used to." That's great. You're progressing. But let's get to the tips to stop the worry.

How do you stop the worry?

Negativity Fast Tips to stop worry- Tip 1 - Agree God Cares for you

Well, the first thing you can do is you have to agree that God cares for you. That's what it says in 1 Peter 5:7. It says, "Give all your worries to God because he cares for you." And that's got to be the starting point. If we believe, if we trust that he cares for us, we can give our cares to him. If we don't trust him, we don't have that peace that passes understanding. We don't have peace at all times and in every situation. We don't have peace if we don't trust God.

"Well, I do have peace, but I'm still worried." Show me that in the book.

Negativity Fast Tips to stop worry- Tip 2 - Live out of your relationship with the Father

The second thing you need to do is you need to live out of your relationship. Oh, my goodness. Have you ever seen this? Have you ever read through the Bible from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation? And you might find two places in the Hebrew scripture where God is talked about as Father. And then Jesus shows up. And in Matthew, in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, 6, and 7, he says "Father, Father, Father, Father, Father, Father, Father, your Father, your Father cares for you. Your Father, your Father." This was revolutionary.

Yeah, it was hinted at in the Old Testament in the Hebrew scriptures. But Jesus wants us to know we have a Daddy who loves us. If he's going to take care of me, why am I worried about the food I eat or the clothes I wear? I don't need to worry about those things he's promised. You've got to live out of your relationship. God loves you. He rejoices over you with singing; he is for you and not against you. And if he is for you, who can be against you?

Negativity Fast Tips to stop worry- Tip 3 - Pray - replace your problems with His Peace

Third, you've got to pray about everything. Philippians 4:6-7 in the New Living Translation says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for what he's done. Then you'll experience God's peace, which exceeds anything you can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

You don't try to stop worrying. If you worry about worrying, you're in a pickle, right? How you stop worrying is you learn to meditate on the promises of God. That worrying is the same as meditation. If I worry about my problems, if I meditate on my problems, I am worrying. If I meditate on the promises, I am meditating. It's the same muscle we use, right?

So if you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. What you can do is, if something jumps into your mind, physically write it down because there is an action to writing it down. There is something that says, "Okay, I'm going to worry about this later in prayer. I'm going to pray about this instead of worrying about this."

Negativity Fast Tips to stop worry- Tip 4 - Gratitude

The fourth thing: gratitude is the attitude that changes just about everything. And when we choose to be thankful instead of worrying about the problem... I've learned to be thankful—not to be delusional—go to God and lament; pour out my heart to him.

"I worry about nothing; pray about everything; and thank God in all things." I know it's not an easy thing to do. It's something you can train yourself to do.

Next Steps

Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast

Carpe Vitae!

Monday, 13 November 2023

Shattering the 7 Myths that Lead to Complacency

Complacency is all too easy of a trap to fall into. Being too comfortable can stop us from moving forward in our personal and spiritual growth. We'll explore scripture and debunk seven myths that make us complacent. It's time to break free from these shackles of mediocrity and discover the path towards becoming more and more like Jesus.

Trevor Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Content Creator at https://revtrev.com Check out https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

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I’m going to start with a question you don’t need to respond to, but it’s good for us to think about.

Do you have some jiggle in your wiggle in your spiritual life?

All of us go through different season. All of us are on different parts of the path. I trust we’ve all had times that we felt so close, so loved, so precious to God. Times when .we knew what we were created for - to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If you haven’t had those times, you need to have those times. If you haven’t had those times in a while, you need to have them again and more often.

If we don’t take the time to examine our lives every now and again, it’s easy for us to become complacent.

Complacency robs your soul. You know that’s true. You’ve gone through the motions. You have felt fatigued, bored, in a rut, or no purpose.

There is hope for you today.

Can I pray?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines complacency as, “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

Complacency is dangerous because it is easy. All you have to do is sit back and go with the flow.

To go against the flow requires work and conflict might be involved. To be complacent is to get along. Complacency doesn’t require discipline. It doesn’t require accountability. It doesn’t require action.

And because of that it is all too often our default mode. And we don’t see the danger it brings.

We can’t be complacent with spiritual life and godliness.

You either are growing closer to Christ and maturing in His ways or you are drifting away. This means we can’t be complacent in our devotional life or our spiritual disciplines. We have to work at them with all the strength He provides.

Here’s what happens…

If you don’t read your Bible, it’s hard to start reading your Bible. When you practice disciple of reading your Bible, it becomes easier and easier and more and more natural to do it.

If you don’t pray more than just for your meals, it’s hard to “pray always and never give up” (Luke 18:1). But when you start praying, and enter his gates with thanksgiving and enter his courts with praise and you learn to exchange your problems for his peace…The more you do it, the more you want to do it. It’s what you’ve been created for.

If you’ve ever fasted from food for an extended period of time, after about 4 days you don’t feel like eating. When you break an extended fast like that, trust me, don’t break fast with greasy hamburger, don’t have steak for your first meal, bacon and eggs and pancakes don’t work well…this is all coming from my own personal experience. Experience tells me…start with soup.

My encouragement for you restarting all spiritual disciplines is the same. If you’ve fasted from reading the Bible or fasted from prayer or fasted from whatever Holy Spirit has put in your heart to do- don’t jump back in with an ambitious plan. You’ll have all kinds of hurt you can avoid.

Paul told Timothy:

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

So that’s what we’re looking at today. Life that will come from our doctrine.

Why 7 Myths?

I came up with this title for a book I was thinking about writing for some time. But as I study for this message, I realized these aren’t 7 Myths that can lead us to Complacency. They are 7 strongholds that can lead us to and keep us in complacency. These are just the ones that come from my own experience.

Remember a stronghold is “a way of thinking that protects our thoughts and actions.” A stronghold can be a good thing:

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;

the godly run to him and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

That’s a good “way of thinking that protects our thoughts and actions.” When our experience doesn’t line up with the promises of scripture, it’s good for us to return those promises and remember what happened when He cemented those promises into our soul. We can’t wish them into being. He has to fortify them in our heart. When he has, you can remember what was happening when you knew you would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, so you could be strong and not lose heart and you could wait for the Lord. Testimony affirms strongholds. If I’ve seen him turn THAT into good, I know he will turn THIS for the good… I don’t know how, but I know he will.

Strongholds can be very, very good.

But more often than not strongholds may have the appearance of truth but in fact they protect the thoughts and actions of the enemy who comes to kill, still and destroy. And hey, if he can make you complacent, that’ leads to the same result. Complacency robs your soul.

CS Lewis wrote the Screwtapes Letter during World War 2. The full book was published in 1942. Written in defence of the Christian faith, this popular satire consists of a series of 31 letters in which Screwtape, an experienced devil, instructs his young charge, Wormwood, on effective strategies for tempting the human being assigned to him and making sure he continues on a steady path toward damnation.

Screwtapes write in Chapter 7…

I had not forgotten my promise to consider whether we should make the patient an extreme patriot or an extreme pacifist. All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged. Not always, of course, but at this period. Some ages are lukewarm and complacent, and then it is our business to soothe them yet faster asleep. Other ages, of which the present is one, are unbalanced and prone to faction, and it is our business to inflame them.

WW II - Factions

Post Covid 2023 - Factions AND complacency.

The enemy uses strongholds and often they are based in Scripture. Satan quoted scripture to tempt Jesus. Here’s a few strongholds that may look like truth, and even originate in truth, but in fact they lead to complacency. Good news is strongholds are upheld or broken with truth.

7 Myths (Strongholds) that lead to Complacency

1. God brings about revival in His sovereignty.

Truth:

God is sovereign (Ephesians 1:11) meaning He can anything he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it. That hardly ever means we don’t have a role to play (Isaiah 30:15).

If we believe God is going to do it all, we can easily become complacent.

2. I need to wait for God’s perfect timing.

Truth:

The timing of God is real (Acts 3:2). But there are also times we receive as child (Mathew 6:5-6) and there is time we need to war for breakthrough (Mathew 7:7).

If you don’t know what season you’re in, try to receive like a child sitting on His Father’s lap. If that doesn’t work, start asking and keep asking, start seeking and keep seeking, start knocking and keep knocking.

If we believe we need to wait for God, regardless of the season, we can become complacent.

3. I am the way God made me.

Truth:

He knit you together in your mother’s womb and ordained all the days of your life before any of them came to be (Psalm 139:16) but He was come so you can be born again and finishes the good work He’s started in you so you can become more and more like Jesus.

If we believe we don’t have to change…that’s kind of the definition of complacent.

4. God’s love is unconditional.

I’ve looked it up…unconditional love is not in the book.

Truth:

God chooses to love us all with a love that is patient and kind and not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.(1 Cor 13:4-5). But he favours us differently (Romans 9:13)

So assume you’re His favourite.

If we believe we don’t have to live up to what we’ve already attained, we can become complacent.

5. Being busy is just who I am

Truth:

You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day and in all you do, to work as unto the Lord. Busy-ness came in after the fall.

If we believe being busy is a good thing, we easily slip into complacency.

6. God is creating a new earth, so I don’t need to care for this one.

Truth:

God gave us dominion to steward (Genesis 1:28), not subjugate His creation.

If we believe this world is immaterial, we aren’t helping anything to change. We stay complacent.

7. I am not enough

Truth:

God takes delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He rejoices over you with joyful songs. (Zephaniah 3:17) You are who He says you are and He gave His life for you (Romans 5:8-9).

If we have an ungodly self image, we wallow in complacency.

Complacency kills your soul.

So how do you get out of complacency?

That’s a great question. I’m so glad you asked. I had to fight for this answer this week.

Break off the Complacency Tool

REKINDLE def: relight (a fire). revive (something that has been lost).

R - Remove Strongholds - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

E - Examine everything - Proverbs 25:2

K - Know God’s vision for your life - Amos 9:11

I - Ignite a passion for God - Amos 5:4-6

N - Notice comparison hurts- 2 Corinthians 10:12

D - Delight in refreshing others - Proverbs 11:25

L - Learn to be content - Philippians 4:12-13

E - Enjoy work without celebrating being busy - Colossians 3:23-24

What does that mean? Let’s unpack it now.

R - Remove Strongholds

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Starts with Confession and Repentance. When God shows you a stronghold…when you think about not only what you think about but also HOW you think about what you think about…he’ll show you what strongholds need to come down.

What does God want me to confess and repent from?

E - Examine everything

It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. Proverbs 25:2

Stay curious.

1. Curiosity keeps the brain active and reduces the risk of cognitive decline.

2. Curious people are happier.

3. Curiosity boosts achievement.

4. Curiosity can expand our empathy.

5. Curiosity helps strengthen relationships.

6. Curiosity improves our ability to cope with difficult situations, such as rejection

7. Curiosity can help to relieve boredom.

8. Being curious can increase positivity.

9. Curiosity can improve problem solving skills.

10. Being curious can increase knowledge and work performance.

11. Being curious may reduce anxiety.

Stay curious.

How can I spark my curiosity?

K - Know God’s vision for your life

Amos 9:11 “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory.

God tends to give big pictures like this…. Read to the end of the book. He wins. We may not understand it, but we know we can trust Him to make it right.

The Bible doesn’t suggest we change the world. Paul tells wives to not divorce unbelieving husbands. He tell slaves to get free if the can; but if they can’t be the best slave you can be. He tells us to make it our ambition to lead the quiet life; to work with our hands so that we’re not reliant on anyone.

Jesus called his 12 apostles- using the name of a Roman General sent in to change the culture. Apostle change culture. Our church culture has us believing that we should all change culture. I don’t see that in the Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament. If we respected true apostles as true apostles; they would be better situated to change culture.

God’s vision for your life isn’t a calling or a position or a skill or a gift. It can be all those things or none of those things. All of those things make it possible, with what He works through you, to fulfill God’s vision for you. What is that?

His vision for you is for you to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Can I glorify God and enjoy Him today?

I - Ignite a passion for God

Amos 5:4-6 NIV This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba, For Gilgal will surely go into exile and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.”Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.

Jesus told the church in Ephesus that they had forgotten their first love and that they needed to repent and to do the things the did at first. He told his disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added.

Am I seeking the Lord to live?

N - Notice Comparison hurts

2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Comparison can lead to complacency. Cut out comparison. It’s a spiral. When you start going down…. stop it with gratitude.

Giving thanks for what you have and who you are cuts out the power comparison has to lead us to complacency.

Am I comparing myself to anyone?

D - Delight in refreshing others

Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

When we cut ourselves off from others, it’s moves us towards complacency. The wounds from a friend should be something that grows us.

When we want to get out of a funk; the fastest way to is to consider others ahead of ourselves. When you put others ahead of yourself, perspective change.

Who can I refresh?

L - Learn to be content

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Sometime we lose our contentment when we refuse to obey something Holy Spirit has told us to do. We slip into complacency because we’re not willing to take that next step of faith. Contentment is by faith. Complacency gets destroyed by faith.

Am I content in any and every situation?

E - Enjoy work without celebrating being busy

Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Complacency can come in when you’re too busy OR when you’re not being busy enough. Basically, when you’re not about your Father’s business…when you’re not working as unto the Lord…it’s easy to slip into being complacency.

Am I working as unto the Lord?

Break off the Complacency Tool

REKINDLE def: relight (a fire). revive (something that has been lost).

R - Remove Strongholds

What does God want me to confess and repent from?

E - Examine everything

How can I spark my curiosity?

K - Know God’s vision for your life

Can I glorify God and enjoy Him today?

I - Ignite a passion for God

Am I seeking the Lord to live?

N - Notice comparison hurts

Am I comparing myself to anyone?

D - Delight in refreshing others

Who can I refresh?

L - Learn to be content

Am I content in any and every situation?

E - Enjoy work without celebrating being busy

Am I working as unto the Lord?

Make space for Holy Spirit to speak.

1) Do I enjoy time with God? Why or why not?

2) Am I actively listening for God’s direction in my life?

3) Am I afraid to take that next step of obedience?