Vol. 7—Issue 3 November 2010
A word from the National Director Each Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the one who teaches contentment and self-control, we are bombarded with advertisements in direct contradiction to Jesus own teachings. One of the ways we can celebrate is to avoid buying into the holiday consumer frenzy by contributing to those charities whose vision we support. As you consider where you might invest would you consider giving to the work of E2 because the future needs a Canadian harvest. $15/Month Resource 1 Canadian Leader to be effective in Evangelism $25/Month Resource 2 Canadian Leaders to be effective in Evangelism
Confidence beyond fear…
$50/Month Sponsor 1 Remote Canadian Church to become Equipped in Evangelism $100/Month Support the creation of a new E2 Multi church Network in a Canadian Community $150/Month To create & produce new training resources for all E2 Networks across Canada
EEAT 2015
I remember attending a 40th birthday party. The birthday guy wanted to go bungee jumping – the first words out of his mouth, as he approached his waiting friends, were “I just love that feeling of fear”! This is not what we thought he would say and not how most of us would react! Last week, I received an email from Peggy Grall, The Change Coach. Her email offered tips on making life changes. Offering encouragement for the first step, Peggy says …”Ready? Now, take your first step! In my experience, first steps are always accompanied by fear. At the beginning, the fear is huge. But every time you take a step, the fear lessens. With every milestone you reach, the fear diminishes and you get stronger.” Building confidence works the same way – confidence grows with each new step. In the first chapter of Joshua, the Lord calls Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. Along with the call, God promises, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In the New Living Translation, it says, “I will not fail you or abandon you.” The Lord goes on to command Joshua to be strong and courageous,
you will be the leader, study this Book of instructions, and do not be afraid or discouraged, “For the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go”. The call and promise are clear. The promise of an abundant life in a land flowing with milk and honey is before him and the people; however, Joshua has to trust the promises of the Lord - Joshua must lead where he has never been before. The Lord assures Joshua that there will be a battle, but God promises that Joshua will be victorious and the Israelites will indeed inherit the land He promised. The book of Joshua accounts for the battle, the distribution of land – at the end of the book, in chapter 24, it says, “The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him – those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel.” As I was reading and meditating on this verse, I wrote in my journal, “when there is no personal experience of trusting God and seeing His glory it is a breeding ground for fear – living vicariously – we lose our faith.” In the New Testament in Luke 5, Jesus invites Peter on a life changing adventure. He tells Peter, “’Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!’ As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.” Today, Jesus issues the same invitation to everyone. To reach out to a hurting world, everyone must step out in faith, like the Israelites who took deliberate steps to cross the Jordan. Jesus invites us to follow Him obediently…into a hurting world. As we listen to Him and do what He says, trust His instructions, and take risks to show His love, we will see His glory and witness His work in the hearts of others. In His strength, our confidence will grow as we experience for ourselves what it means to walk in His ways, His power, His love…obediently following His Spirit. In my journal, there is a quote from Hannah Whitall Smith – “It is a law of the spiritual life that every act of trust makes the next act less difficult”.
What would happen in our cities if Jesus showed up and all His followers unconditionally and obediently fulfilled the promptings of the Holy Spirit? As we take steps of faith, we realize for ourselves that God is with us, and this assurance builds our confidence! Recently, one of our volunteers testified of God’s unswerving faithfulness when we trust the Lord and step out in faith: “I have learned that I didn’t really have a fear problem. I had a faith problem. I had lost confidence that my heavenly Father would take care of me. Since my faith has increased in going (reaching out in prison), it has been my experience that my fear has decreased. Don’t get me wrong, I have not conquered the spirit of fear, but I am in the process of learning to put my fear in the hands of the One who knows everything, and to move forward in spite of it.” Confidently sharing our faith comes with experience. Confidence does not develop vicariously but grows during the adventure of faith and risk. Trust grows when we see His glory for ourselves and discover that indeed the LORD is with us and He will never abandon nor fail us. What would be your Jordan? What is the Lord asking of you in these days? Remember, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Donna Mitchell Director, Connecting Streams Women’s Ministry, A Ministry of Power to Change