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Now,Go. a harvest devotional july2015
letter to the reader
This is for the millennial generation— the generation to ignite worldwide revival in Jesus’ Name.
In June of 2015 my friend, Jesse Anaya, challenged me to step out in radical faith. He asked me what it would take for me to give up everything and follow the call of Jesus. Holy Abandon is what I like to refer to it as…the step into the never-ending arms of Heaven. Harvest came from the overflow of that faith-filled conversation. Harvest is not just an event, but a community— a community of passionate millennials totally on fire for Jesus. We adore Him and long for you to experience the same intimacy with your Savior. Our simple prayer over this devotional is that everyday you would fall more and more in love with Jesus; that your heart would burst within you each day at the sound of His Name, that your soul would pump with adrenaline at the thought of His grace. May you become undone over and over again as you lean in to the One Who gave His very life for your sin. His grace is abounding and His love, oh His love will change you. My friend, your life has the purpose of a soldier being called to the front lines. Our God, He is the Mighty Warrior. He is the Eternal Father. He is everything we could possibly need. And our world hungers and thirsts for Him like never before. As God called Moses to a life of profound leadership, so He is calling us today. The responsibility remains for the body of Christ to tell the entire world about our Savior, Jesus Christ. This devotional was written by millennials, for millennials. Consider this our generation cheering you on to pursue your calling. Make His Name known. Make His Name great. Make His Name your heart’s desire from this day forward. Tell everyone you meet about Him. May your mouth never grow tired from speaking about Him. May your body never wear out from carrying His promises to others. May your passion grow deeper day after day. Now, go. Change the world with the love of a Savior that changed your destiny. Change the world with the heart of a Father that desperately longs for His children to come Home. “Now, go. I will be with you as you speak and instruct you in what to say. ” Exodus 4:12 “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages ofthat area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind ofdisease 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 ofthe harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. ’” Matthew 9:35-38
With you, Kelsey Ach Couture31, Creator and Founder
Thank you to our contributing writers, Bitty Ach Kelsey Ach Jesse Anaya Taylor Barnette Sara Elizabeth Bush Neal Clement Max Godby Jessica Griffitt Jasmine Harrell Jonathan Harrell Sara Hodgson Mallory Johnson Mason Runyon Trae Rutherford Killian Rose Lynnsey Sheely Lauren Wheatley Allee Williams
"We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. " Hebrews 10:39
day 1
The Courage to Reach Out Imagine this for a moment: you are in a crowd, simply another nameless face in the crowd. Strangers are passing you, brushing up against you, and it’s busy. You feel as if you can’t move and you feel as if you will go on unnoticed. Then… out of the corner of your eye, you see Jesus in the crowd, brushing elbows with the strangers around Him, much like you are doing. Something wells up inside you, something you’ve never felt, and you begin to follow Jesus. You follow Him through the buzzing crowd, and when you are near to Him, you reach out and touch His clothing. You have been changed. When the courage to reach out and touch Jesus wells up inside of us and will not leave, we need to listen to that. There are many reasons why we would reach out to touch Jesus: because we need to be healed, we feel lost, we need peace, we are full of joy and wish to see His face, or we are reaching on the behalf of another person. Sometimes, when someone we love can’t reach out to touch Jesus, we need to be the hand that extends to Him. There will be times when we need to reach out and touch Jesus so that we can be Jesus in the crowd to others. Jesus was a bold, yet subtle man. He didn’t shout at people in the street, He didn’t have an elaborate plan to gain followers. It was the opposite. Jesus carried His call with Him naturally; the woman that reached out to touch His cloak was naturally drawn to Jesus. She had heard of the great things He had done, and she had faith. What would our lives look like if we had the courage to reach out and touch Jesus when we needed Him? We are not just a face in a crowd of people. God has chosen us and has called us worthy. We must simply reach out to Him. Where are the areas in my life that need a faith increase? How can I gain the courage to reach out and touch Jesus, for myself and for others? “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ’IfI just touch his clothes, I will be healed. ” Mark 5:27-28
day 2
Courage, Dear Heart
You may think your situation is permanent. And why not? You’ve been here a long time. You don’t see how you could ever rise higher. All the facts are telling you it’s impossible. But I am here to say, where you are is not permanent. God has explosive blessings coming your way. You’re still breathing. He has brought you here to this very moment in your life for a reason. And all these moments you’re experiencing right now? They will work together for the good, I promise. You will see. Keep holding on. Keep being faithful. Keep going. We must be expectant and waiting for the Lord’s goodness. We must be diligent, obedient, and expecting. Ask yourself, am I ready? When He, The Lord, deems it is the right time, His plan for you will fall into place so perfectly you’ll wonder why you ever doubted in the first place. How amazing is that? To know that the best days of your life haven’t even happened yet. God has more in store for you than you or I could ever imagine. Sometimes it may seem like no one would even care if you gave up. It seems like the world would just keep moving on if you just gave in or faded away… Do not sit in the dark, trying to adjust your eyes to the darkness; instead, go to the Lord and ask Him to turn on the light. Give it to Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 You are not a burden to Him. You are His heartbeat and greatest joy. Run to Jesus with all your worries, all your doubts, all your fears, and all your insecurities. So if you’re reading this, if there is still hopefulness in your heart, I want you to remember your story is still going. Heavy or light, beautiful or difficult, hopeful or uncertain, there is still time for things to heal, change, and grow. There is still time for surprises. We are all stories still being written. You wouldn’t be breathing right now if there wasn’t a purpose behind everything that is happening in your life. Allow yourself to be so obedient to Him that you are willing to trust what all He has in store. Trust that HE will provide a way for your future; HE will place the right people in your path; HE will give you the words to say; and HE will give you the strength to wait. Courage, Dear Heart. The best is yet to come. “He performs wonders, that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. ” Job 5:9
day 3
When the Path Changes While going through life we tend to only fixate on what we feel is the status quo. Once you finish high school, you attend college to get a degree, once you graduate from college you get a job, throughout this process you find the love of your life, get married, and start a family. While this may be the “American Dream” it may not be God’s “dream” for you. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take”. Sometimes God's plan for you will be completely out of your comfort zone. You may have every doubt and desire to run from His call, but by stepping out in faith and trusting in our Father, you will be blessed beyond what you could ever imagine. It is often found that when we are at our most vulnerable, God reveals the most to us about ourselves and most importantly, His love and power. How do you think the Israelites felt when they came up to the Red Sea with Egyptians on each side of them? Do you think Noah was comfortable with building an ark and facing ridicule every single day? God knew exactly what He had planned and while they could have easily given up, they trusted that God would take care of them and that is exactly what He did. When you feel God changing your path and telling you to step out in faith, trust Him. God makes no mistakes; so do not doubt His power. Satan knows that doubt is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome while going through this process, but when it is God’s plan, He will reassure you every step of the way. When you become afraid of the future, whisper to yourself, “Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am YOURS." “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. " Proverbs 3:5-6
day 4
Anticipating the Likeness of Jesus
In the summer of 2010, my buddy and I went on a mission trip to Panama City, Panama, to radically invest our time and efforts into others. Our goal: to make disciples of all nations. After spending two weeks of our time in Central America, it was time to head back to the real world...home. And man, oh man, were we on fire for God! We couldn’t wait to experience what the Lord had in store for us on a daily basis. But after a month or so, we took our eyes off of Jesus. Oftentimes as Christians, we get on a spiritual high after we hear a powerful word or teaching, experience a revival, or in my case, a mission trip. We stop reading our Bible and live our daily lives without recognizing the Spirit of God. So how do we stay on that spiritual high? How do we keep our passion for the gospel so white hot and full of energy? The answer: anticipating the likeness of the Holy One, Jesus. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes in chapter 8 verse 23, that “we ourselves, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” What is he saying here? In this context of the Scripture, Paul was preaching about suffering and persecution that Christ followers are going to experience when deciding to pursue Jesus. Yes, following Jesus is not easy, but it’s simple. The easy life goes hand in hand with the flesh, but the simple life correlates with the Spirit…eternal life…a spiritual high. However, the easy life can become more pleasing to the eye if we take our hearts off of Jesus. The flesh becomes stronger than the Spirit. But remember, “Since we have been raised with Christ, let us set our hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” The times you feel least like praying, times you feel least like reading the Scripture, that’s the time to bruise your knees before God and ask Him to fill your heart with His Spirit. Don’t lose track of Jesus! Chase Him! Paul had one goal, one ambition, one passion: to proclaim the name of Jesus. His end result? Christ Himself. In his final days on earth, this is what he had to say to Timothy: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have LONGED for his appearance” (2 Timothy 4:8). Now, Go! Stay white hot for the gospel, and proclaim the name of Jesus anticipating your likeness to become just like Him! “And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. ” Romans 8:23
day 5
It is Okay to be Broken When it comes to God's grace, many of us respond with "What's the catch?" Can a perfect God really forgive every sin I have committed? Can God forgive a horrific past like mine? In theory, we love the idea of God's grace, but the unfortunate reality is that we really do not believe the practice. The American Church has come a long way to properly live out the mission and calling of the Gospel, to show Jesus' love and grace. However, Christians continue to fight a bloody war of inward doubt. "Can God really forgive me?" I love what Rich Mullins says about God: "The worst thing that can happen to a piece of art is to be critiqued by someone with great taste. I am glad God does not have great taste." We have nothing to offer to God. We are not the catch of the day, the best burger in town or the best summer blockbuster. Call us what we are, broken. We are imperfect sinners in the presence of a perfect Father, and He still loves us. He loves us not for anything we have done or we can offer Him. He loves because He IS love. God's grace cannot be earned, so stop trying. Any check you try to write will bounce, and any card you use will be denied. God gives grace freely at no cost. It's okay to be broken, just come as you are. When we realize that we are broken, God can do amazing things in us and can use us for His Kingdom. I find it odd that people think that pastors, theologians or people in Scripture that God spoke through are somehow higher quality believers, more deserving of God’s grace. But, God also used tax collectors, murders, adulterers, a crazy religious leader who called for the extinction of the early church, and even a donkey. God uses the broken because the broken have a willing heart, filled with gratitude. Jesus’ last words were, "It is finished." We are not called to live a perfect life in order to gain salvation. We are called to live a free and bold life for Christ, knowing that we possess the precious gift of salvation. Brennan Manning said, "Real sinners have done nothing to merit salvation. Yet they open themselves to the gift that is offered to them." Aaron Hogue states this simple truth: "The Gospel is one beggar trying to tell another beggar where to find food." You do not have to be a theologian, a pastor or even the brightest light in the room, as long as you are the closest light to someone who desperately needs this hope. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none ofus can boast about it. ” Ephesians 2:8-9
day 6
A Purposeful Life Like a dark storm cloud that rolls in, the idea of having a purposeful life is an intimidating one. As millennials, we live in a society that glorifies success, but most of us are just trying to keep up with the game. The challenge daunts us daily and the fear of failure can be crippling. How do I figure out who I’m supposed to be? What am I supposed to do with my life? Friend, you are never going to know the answers to these questions. The frightening fear of the unknown can bring you to your knees, but there is freedom in all of this. We have been created by a God who loves us and has a plan for our lives. He has intricately created a beautiful gift for you, it’s yours to take. All our Father asks in return is that you trust Him with your life. God brings the purpose to everything. He is the light among the clouds. As you pursue a relationship with Christ, God may move you to places you never imagined. Paradoxically, life it isn’t in knowing what the purpose of our futures are, it is about living a purposeful life. Finding joy, loving others abundantly and being the hands and feet of Jesus are truly the ways to create a purpose for this gift of a life that God has blessed us with. Don’t worry yourself with the fear of the next job or status quo; much more beautiful things are available for your heart. Our true purpose is to move mountains with the light of Christ that shines within us. Trust Him, let the rest of the cards fall into place. God’s hand on your life will bring you incredible gifts. I hope you are ready to enjoy a purposeful life—one better than you could ever plan. “Be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. ” Ephesians 6:10
day 7
Hearing God's Voice I used to struggle hearing God’s voice. It was such a hardship for me to recognize Him in my life. I would sit in silence for what seemed like hours only to hear the tick of the clock or the sound of my own breath. That was until I realized that my relationship with Jesus is just like my relationship with anyone else. The more time I spend with Him, the easier it will be to recognize His voice and His guidance. So I began to spend more time reading His Word. I wouldn’t have a specific plan, but I would find myself reading for hours. I would listen to podcasts and Christian music. I would read books written by strong followers of Christ. I would spend time with people that made me more like Him. I finally realized what it meant to hunger and thirst for the Word of God. What happened next was profound. The Lord began to really speak to me. I think He noticed that I desperately wanted to hear from Him. I wanted more of Him. I wanted to be known by and know Him. And thus my relationship with Jesus began to flourish and grow. I would close my eyes to pray and see pictures. He would show me beautiful images of us together, me serving others, glimpses into my future. I found that being with Him, even if I didn’t hear His voice, was my favorite pastime. His Presence alone was the answer to my longing. To be in the Lord’s Presence is such power for the believer. Regardless of how long you have known Him, I encourage you to spend the time seeking Him. He wants us to know Him and be in intimate relationship with Him. He also promises us that when we seek Him, we will find Him. He is a relational God, a God that desperately wants to be connected with His children. Maybe today is that day for you. Maybe today, before anything else, you will simply seek His Presence. He is waiting. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all ofyour heart. ” Jeremiah 29:13
day 8
Fear Fear can be crippling. Fear is the thing that causes us to stay within our comfort zones. We fear the unknown. We fear failure. We fear not fitting in. We fear not living up to the standards of the others. We fear, we fear, we fear… But Jesus told us, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The phrase “Do not be afraid” is used 365 times in the Bible. I don’t think that it is any coincidence that there are 365 days on our calendar. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in Matthew chapter 14. Jesus had just got finished feeding the five thousand and told the disciples to go on ahead of Him to the other side of the lake while He dismissed the crowd. Later that night while the disciples were in the boat they saw what they thought was a ghost walking on water but it was Jesus and He says to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The story continues and one of the of disciples named Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.” Can you imagine how much fear you would have stepping out a boat in the middle of the water with the expectation that you are going to walk on the water? I would be scared to death. So what did Peter do? He got right out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. After walking for a little bit he lost sight of Jesus and began to sink, but when he was sinking Jesus was right there to grab his hand and pull him up. What I love about this story is that Peter did not let fear keep him from getting out of the boat. He realized getting out of the boat was an opportunity to grow. Staying in the boat to him wasn’t going to keep him safe; rather it was going to keep him the same. Failing in this life is so much better than not trying. And when we do fail (because we will) Jesus is right there to reach out His hand and grab onto ours and pull us up. Get out of the boat today. “Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, ifit’s really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water. ’ ‘Yes, come, ’ Jesus said. ” Matthew 14:28-29
day 9
Steadfast Faith The book ofActs tells a story of fearless faith. The type of faith that I want. While imprisoned for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul and his disciple Silas where sitting in their cell shackled with chains. They had been flogged, beaten and tortured as punishment but in the midst of sitting in that prison cell, they were worshipping and singing hymns to Jesus. The other prisoners were hearing them sing praise to Jesus. The guard on watch was hearing them sing praise to Jesus. The God of mercy, the God of our surrender, the Lord of redemption, of grace and truth and peace, they were worshipping and singing to Him. Our Jesus. Their dire situation didn’t give them pause to stop believing or worshipping or having faith, it made their faith fearless. The Scriptures tell us upon hearing them sing praise to the LORD, the guard on watch fell before Paul and Silas, and asked what must he do to be saved? They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31 Scripture tells us the guard took Paul and Silas to his home and upon being at his home, they spoke a word of the LORD to the guard and his household. In that moment, they became baptized by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Imprisoned. Chained. Flogged. Worshipping the LORD. One encounter with Jesus can change our lives and the lives of those we share Him with. Some things of note about this story: It was through worship and singing that they introduced the other prisoners and guard to Jesus, and it was through sharing the Word of God that the guard and his family became believers. Part of knowing Jesus is to know His word. And scripture tell us, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 So in order to build upon our faith and know Jesus, our faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ. Read the Bible. Know the Bible. Build your faith. Worship. Sing His praises. Now, go.
day 10
Trusting in the Ability of God Trust is a small word with big meaning. We hear it all the time, almost always revolving around relationships of some type. Webster's Dictionary defines trust as, “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." Over my life I have found it pretty easy to trust my parents. I trusted they would keep me safe, provide for our family, and love me unconditionally. I trust my friends with each word they say and their ability to raise me up as a person. I even trust everyday professionals in life, such as my doctor to guard my health or my beautician to give me a great haircut. So, why is it that I sometimes struggle to trust the Almighty God? It’s not that I doubt God as a whole, but rather catch myself not trusting in His plan for me. When I face times in my life that are filled with uncertainty, I have to slow down. You see, I’m a planner. Not just a week ahead planner but a few years ahead planner. I find it easier to go through with a decision if I have worked out all of the short and long-term ramifications associated with the decision. But lately, I’ve come to learn my plans won’t really get me anywhere. It is instead commitment to the Lord and HIS plans that I need. (Proverbs 16:3) I read once that each of our lives are customized, by none-other than God. He has created this brilliant, unique, beautiful, and inspiring story out ofYOUR life. So, although you may be mistrusting that plan, remember you are only looking at a page of your novel that God has memorized. He will provide for you, He will never leave you, and He has a plan for you. So trust Him. Trust in His ability, His strength, and the truth that He speaks through His word. “I pray that you will be able to speak with certainty, “Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life”, even when life seems everything but certain.” Psalm 143:8 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ” Isaiah 43:2
day 11
Chase the Lord Today, you are exactly how God intended you to be. Thank Him for who you are, where you are and what you are doing. Some days, you may wake up feeling off. Every once in a while, you might look in the mirror to be unsatisfied with what you see. As a human, we will always chase perfection. But the only perfect being is God. He gave each of us this craving for perfection so that we would constantly pursue Him. Take a moment to think about what Jesus went through for you to live as you do now. Jesus died for your sins. He died to allow you to be the person you are. God is our only judge, and His Son made us clean. Do not judge yourself, because that is judging God’s creation. Today, chase The Lord. In everything you do, He will lead you and give you comfort. Give all insecurities, doubts, and negativities away to Him. As you focus your energy and actions on Him, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct you in all ways. Satisfaction lies within The Lord. Do not indulge in self-hate, obsession, or judgment of yourself or His other children. The Holy Spirit resides in you. It is easy to fall victim to the expectations of what the world thinks you should be, but with God you are without a doubt, the most perfect version of yourself possible. Trust in Him, respect your mind, body and spirit, and He will take care of everything else.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple ofthe Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ” 1 Corinthians 6:19
day 12
The Power of Prayer What is His Kingdom? How do we seek His Kingdom first? We are not meant to skate through this life carelessly. God commands us to be intentional in every part of our day, always bringing glory to Him. Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort? In October of 2011, I had been married 18 months, and we had a 3 year old together. I had been deceived by the enemy to give up on God out of anger based on life events at a young age. I was also tricked by the enemy to believe that if I was a nice person, I would totally get in to Heaven. I took my son to the park one day and a couple who had brought their children came up to me and said they would like to pray for me. While my eyes were rolling on the inside, and my gut panged, I accepted with a fake smile. The next week, two good friends of mine invited me for coffee at one of our favorite local coffee shops. Running late as usual, I blew into that shop and I nearly knocked over a friend from high school that I hadn’t seen in several years. With relief I saw that she was on the phone, so I gave her a quiet wave and smile, when she grabbed my arm and handed me the phone. “My pastor would love to pray with you!” Really? Here we go again. **Put on respectful face and nod reluctantly** That afternoon was the day I found out my husband had been having an affair. My friends had brought me to coffee to share this with me, and God knew that. The power of prayer, friends. Upon hearing that my husband (my current god) had wrecked our marriage, the Holy Spirit supernaturally enveloped me and I physically felt God. The people that prayed with me listened to the Holy Spirit call them to do so. Then, they were obedient. They willingly became uncomfortable because the glory of God was at stake. I have found that most of the time, serving God is uncomfortable. Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort? Who will you pray with today? “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ” Matthew 6:33
day 13
Be Still and Know
As human beings, its in our nature to want things done when, where, and how we want them done. We have to be in control and calling all the shots, because it's all apart of our plan. Yet, somewhere along the way, through one failed plan or another, we inevitably learn that actually being in control is one thing we just aren’t capable of. When most people encounter these acts, they deem them inexplicable or random. Some call it fate or coincidence. Others take to calling it the forces of nature or the just ways of universe. I’ve come to call Him Father. And y’all, it gives me chills every time, because I can feel Him here with me, whether I call upon Him or not. I know that everything, the good and the bad and the unknown, all this world can throw at me, I will face with my Father by my side. Just as it’s written, “He who lives in Me, is greater than he who lives in the world.” But even though I’m fully aware of this, it can still be easy to fall pray to the desires of this world and lose sight of what truly matters. We can get caught up in our own plans, but in the end it is the Lord who guides our steps. The disconnect between our plans and His can lead to frustration, confusion and doubt. But every time I find myself there, without fail, that’s when I can hear the God of the universe whisper my name, and remind me of the simple yet sobering verse that is Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” As His children, we cling to His promises and know that while it may seem slow to us, God’s timing is nothing less than absolutely perfect. I find this to be true in my own life more and more everyday. But even then it has taken me years to come this far. Not 10 months ago, I told Him that I knew better than He did and that my life should be differently and I should have the ideal job that I had picked out and my path should go the way I intended. When my life didn’t play out that way, I became hurt, confused and angry. But at that time, and just like the many times before, I was blind to the fact that He was very much at work, guiding me, blessing me, showering me with His love and grace all along the way. I honestly can’t say where I would be if I had gotten my way, but I do know that my path wouldn’t have brought me as close to Him as His path for me has. As a result, I am learning to be still and to trust and surrender myself completely to His will, whatever it may be. So yes, He knows the plans He has for me; plans not to ruin me, but to give me hope and a future. He knows my pain and my joy. My anger and my fear. The vibrant and confusing kaleidoscope that is my everyday emotions; He knows my feelings and has even felt them Himself. My Father. Immanuel. Jehovah Jireh. My Redeemer. He has so many beautiful names, a lot of which I don’t know yet. He is God whom I love completely and entirely. And He knows my name. “Be still, and know that I am God. ” Psalm 46:10
day 14
Look Up
There are so many circumstances and situations that can easily distract our walk both physically and mentally. In this day, where we have so much going on around us, I truly believe God is simply saying, "Look up." He did not plant the sparkle in our eyes or the vision in our hearts for us to be focused on uncertainty. One thing is for certain. His love. He did not call you His Queen or His King for you to forget that you walk in golden slippers called faith and are clothed in grace daily. You are not just somebody, you are chosen. When life seems hard and the weight becomes almost unbearable… Simply look up. Sometimes, while looking down, we find ourselves feeling empty. Hollow, even. There are moments when we may pause momentarily just to feel emptiness setting in. It feels like a hole in the middle of our heart as our soul starts to gasp for air in an attempt to catch just a wisp of comfort. Try it. Take a glance up at the incredible sky we’re under. Take a glance and you will notice just how high up and how limitless you feel in that moment. How your back will suddenly straighten, your eyes became brighter, you heart become stronger, and then you will find there is no sense of hesitation or loss of direction in your soul. We must never doubt the spirit that God has placed in us to do the things that are pleasing in His sight. We have the navigation of the Holy Spirit. Learn to trust. We are headed in the perfect direction with the perfect destination. In this moment, in this trial, we are not only exactly where God knew we would be, but we are where God has called us to be. Our God does not mind bending low just to reach His children at their lowest. He does not mind giving up His beauty for the unworthy. He does not mind leaving His majestic throne to walk the mud filled and dusty roads of the earth just to be with us. He does not even mind death, just to give His children everlasting life. He is more than just a King. He is more than just a Maker. He is a loving, generous, and caring Father; a Father who forgives quickly and does not keep a record of His children’s sins. He is in fact, a prodigal-seeking Father. He is waiting and, oh how patiently He waits, for His child to come back home. These are the days we dream about, when the sunlight paints us gold. When Jesus meets us at the perfect time. We just have to have the courage to look up. “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ” Colossians 3:2
day 15
Being Wise with Our Time Do you ever find yourself planning out your entire life? Literally, I want to finish my masters by a certain time, which will help set me up to get the ultimate job in x amount of years. I want to be married by this age and have kids by that age. Before I know it, I’ll be retired and relaxing with my toes in the sand taking a breath and looking back at my life. Woah, what about right now? Why am I wishing my life away? We are called to live in the moment. We shouldn’t be constantly looking for the next thing. If we are always waiting for the next promotion or the right person to bring us happiness, we will never be fulfilled. We will miss out on all of God’s blessings now, in the present. Take a moment to look around. Whatever season of life you are in right now, God is using you. God may be surrounding you with a group of people that you have an opportunity to spend a lot of time with. Be intentional with them. This may be a really lonely season for you. Use this time to talk to God and learn more about Him. No matter what walk of life you are in right now, God wants you to make the most of it. He wants you to be in tune with your surroundings and let Him lead the way. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Don’t be wasteful of this day. Be wise with your time. Love on those God puts in your path today and the opportunities He gives you in this moment. Let us not be so wrapped up in the future, that we lose sight of the present. “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. ” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “Ifit is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that. ’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ” James 4:13-16
day 16
Doing the “Greater Things” When asked to describe myself to others, I would say I give a pretty general and basic description. I am a twenty-something female living in the South. I am married, I have two pets, and I am a teacher. I have blue eyes and blonde hair, and I drink too much coffee. I am tallish, I enjoy running, and the Holy Spirit lives within me. However, all of the above information about myself leading up to that last point doesn’t really matter a whole lot without Jesus. I can be a teacher and can teach children my entire life. I could receive awards and accolades, but without Jesus, I am simply just a “good” teacher. His power makes us so much more than a description. The power of God, the very same power that lived inside of Jesus, now lives in us. He said so. He told us that we would do the things He did, and even greater things. Again, thinking about myself in plain terms, that doesn’t seem possible some days, or even most days. When Jesus walked the earth, He cared for the people that nobody else really cared about. He performed miracles. He healed the sick. He allowed blind eyes to see with some spit, mud, and a touch of the hand. He called out things in people that they didn’t even see. These kinds of things were normal for Jesus. They weren’t actions to draw attention to Jesus, but were rather normal acts of kindness, driven by the power of God. Can we do that? Absolutely. As Christians and followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t separate the secular and sacred. We live in the realm of the kingdom of God, and the two meet. It should be commonplace for us to be in touch with the Holy Spirit living inside us, commonplace enough for us to go and do the things that Jesus did. We need to remain in touch with the Holy Spirit so that He can empower us to do the things Jesus did, even if that means giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty stranger. May we be reminded daily that we don’t have to perform and be something we aren’t to be like Jesus. We must take who we are, all the parts of who we are, and let Jesus transform us to move and do the things He did. What is hindering me from doing the “greater things” in my life? How can my view of Jesus be expanded so that I can move forward and do what He did? “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ” John 14:12
day 17
Community Who do you have that will pray for you? Who is in you circle that you can go to for guidance and ask for Godly advice? Who is walking with you as you walk towards Christ? Think about it. The Christian life isn’t mean to be lived alone. Adam was given Eve because God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18 When Jesus sent out His disciples, Scripture tells us: “He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority.” Mark 6:7 God didn’t design us to be by ourselves and Jesus didn’t send us out to do ministry alone. Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Are the people in your life pushing you closer to Jesus or are they pulling you away from Him? Maybe you’re already a part of a community and have people in your life who push you closer to Jesus. And maybe it’s the latter, and the people in your life don’t encourage or understand your desire to live for Jesus. The body of Christ as a whole is asking God to shape and lead each of us into a community where we will experience His love, grace and faith with a community of friends who will walk with us as we walk with Christ. It’s important to have a community of believers in your life because they are the ones who will pray for you, do ministry with you and push you closer towards Jesus as you walk by faith. We are in this together. The community God has planned for us to walk into is together. God is with us. Be excited for this new season of life !
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit ofdoing, but encouraging one another. ” Hebrews 10:24
day 18
Blessed or Cursed? Every person is a living, breathing New York Times Bestseller, everyone. Not necessarily a book, but still a story -- your story. Laura Hillenbrand wrote a book, titled "Unbroken", the true story of a Word War II veteran's survival experience. For forty days, Louis Zamperini was stranded on an inflatable lifeboat, only to fall into the hands of a Japanese battleship and became a Prisoner ofWar (POW). A friend of mine once asked me, "Are you blessed by the opportunity or cursed by the situation?" The same can be asked about Zamperini. Was he blessed by his opportunity or cursed by his situation? The majority of us, including me, would probably say “cursed”. However, Zamperini was cursed by his situation only if his story ended there. It doesn't end there; he survives! He returns home and tells millions about his story. He will forever be known as a hero for his resilience against impossible odds. At the end of the story, he was blessed by the opportunity. There is no doubt in my mind that there are people reading these words who are fighting for their lives, metaphorically and literally. Just like Zamperini, some probably feel like they are drowning in something, whether that is debt, stress, disease, divorce, loneliness, or some other misery. Some readers may even feel like they are living in a hell on earth. Life feels like a curse. But certain components make up every story plot. Maybe you are at the climax of your story. On your left, you see the pain, hardship and heartache continuing to rise. On your right, you see hope, understanding and a way to fight back. At this moment, you must ask yourself a simple question, "Am I blessed by the opportunity or am I cursed by the situation?" When you choose to be blessed, it is amazing to see how God works in that. He will provide you with hope in the darkest situations, understand the reason behind the pain and heartache, and you no longer have to fight alone. Rest easy, He will fight for you. God tells us in Exodus 14:14 that “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Louis Zamperini was interviewed, like countless times, about his experience during World War II. When the interviewer asked about the role God played in his story, he gave a very simple but profound answer: "God knew my needs and took care accordingly." So, before you hit the fork in the road, the climax in your story, before you answer that question, know this--know that God is there with you, acting as your shield, ready to fight for you. All you have to do is allow Him to do so. “For I consider that the sufferings ofthis present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ” Romans 8:18
day 19
Rooted in Identity and Purpose Our true identity is regained when we step into the beautiful reality that God is our Father. When we step into our true identity as sons and daughters, we then begin to see our purpose; a purpose that He uniquely formed and fashioned specifically for each and every one of us. His purpose is one of a kind and always will be one of a kind because there will never be another you in the history of the world. He breathed your purpose into your very bones the day you were born. Jesus’ primary assignment on earth was to reveal His Father’s heart to a broken world. He knew He was God’s son, He knew He had unlimited access to the resources of Heaven, and He lived His life walking in those truths. That was the basis of His ministry; bringing Heaven to earth and revealing the purposes and heart of His Father to those around Him. God the Father was well pleased with His son before He even stepped into His ministry. In Matthew 3, after Jesus had been baptized, a voice from Heaven declared, “This is My Son, whom I love; and with Him I am well pleased”. Jesus hadn’t started His ministry yet, but the Father was fully pleased with Him simply because He was His son. Jesus then lived His life from the reality that God the Father loved Him deeply, relentlessly and gave Him unlimited access to His heart. We can rest knowing our Father fully knows and fully loves us, simply because we are His. He is well pleased with us, and has given us full access to His heart and the resources of Heaven. As Jesus was rooted in His true identity as God’s Son, He was then able to step into His ministry full of purpose and had clear vision of what God had in store for Him. His purpose flowed freely from His identity. And since He was rooted in His identity and purpose, those around Him were able to see the Father’s heart full of compassion and relentless love. The Father wants to use us to reveal His heart to the world. As we step into our true identity, we are then equipped and empowered for the road ahead of us. Let your faith be activated by resting in your identity as a son and daughter of our Heavenly Father. “This is my Son, whom I love; and with Him I am well pleased. ” Matthew 3:17
day 20
Stewarding the Vision There is great importance in having vision from God and stewarding that vision with the mind of Christ. Vision is an important part in our relationship with Jesus. It gives us a goal to attain or a path to follow. God gives us vision of what He wants for our lives, and though it hasn’t become reality yet, He is ushering us to move into the place He is preparing for us. As followers of Christ we should keep our eyes fixed on the goal ahead. Paul says it this way in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB) God entrusts us with the responsibility of His visions. Therefore, we should trust Him that He will hold to His promise even when odds are against us. Paul was a man who trusted God’s vision for his life in every situation. Throughout his relationship with Jesus, he stood firm in the visions he was given. The enemy loves to take a newly given vision and destroy it. Through the trials and temptations, our visions are formed and fashioned. Paul gave an excellent testimony to believers by holding firm to God’s promise for his life despite life threatening circumstances. God’s Word and vision for our lives will never return void because of His character; it’s our responsibility to steward God’s vision for us in a way that is honoring to Him. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (HCSB) Hold fast to the promise of God; steward His vision with the mind of Christ, and press on to the place He has prepared for you. Through this pursuit, we imitate Christ and glorify God our Father. “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold ofit because I also have been taken hold ofby Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myselfto have taken hold ofit. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 3:12-14
day 21
Where You Belong Have you ever have that "AHA!" moment? You know, the kind where you take a step back from yourself, look at life through a bystander's lens, and fully realize that you are smack dab in the middle of God's will? I've had a couple of those moments. My most recent was when I was covered by dirt-clad, nose-running, sweat-increasing Haitian children. I wish like anything I could pause the moment, run to Jesus, and ask Him what I did to deserve such an all-encompassing love. Sure, it was hot and nasty and totally out of my element, but I've never been more satisfied in knowing that God has created that moment for just me. Only me. Do you realize that He could've set you in ANY time in history with ANY set of people in ANY country, but you're here? You are here in this earth-shattering, world-changing time that was of His choosing. So when you are confused as to why in the world you are struggling with the job search or you can't memorize a simple study guide to get that A or you are just restless in the waiting season...know. Know that God is sweet enough and believes in you enough that He created you for this time. So take an outsider's look on your life and know that you, my friend, are in His will. His good, pleasing, and perfect will for your life. “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:2 “Ifyou keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relieffor the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows ifperhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’” Esther 4:14
My Jesus, My heart is Yours and Yours alone. From this day forward, I submit myselfto You. You are my King. You are my Savior. You are my everything. You are my Father; the Father I spent years searching for only to have You find me, heal me, and set me free. Jesus, here are my hands and feet; let them serve You all the days ofmy life. Here is my mouth; let it speak Your Name and Yours alone until the day I die. Here are my eyes; may they only search for You, seeking You every second ofevery day. Here is my heart; may it beat for You only until I walk through the gates of Heaven. I pray my heart will beat in alignment with Yours. Let Your Holy Spirit overtake me, consume me, overwhelm me. May I be completely undone by Your immeasurable love over and over again. Grant me the mind ofChrist, allowing me to become more like Him in all I do. Thank You for coming for me. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for the resurrection. Because ofYou, I will never be the same. I adore You, my King. I honor You, my Savior. I proclaim You, my Father. I love You forever. In Your most Holy Name,
Amen
Harvest the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. matthew 9:37 connect with us www.couture31.org instagram: @couture.31 @harvest_worship