infinitychurch.com

For those who have been regular visitors to infinitychurch.com, I want to thank you for reading and supporting this ministry with your prayers and positive comments. The website currently averages more than 20,000 hits/month with visitors around the globe, making it a difficult decision to close it down, but I have chosen to follow what I believe to be God’s leading to start a new ministry.

If you are interested in following me, please email me and I will send you the link. I will be migrating relevant posts and information to the new site. If you have any requests for information or speaking engagements, please contact me by email.

Again, thank you for your support and I look forward to what God has for each of us in this exciting new season.

Blessings,
Leanne

There comes a point in every believer’s life when they are forced to get honest with themselves. When faced with a hard decision, it takes courage to ask the hard questions. What will this decision cost me?

When Abraham set Isaac on the altar, he was giving up all that he had and many Christians have followed his example with a life of sacrifice. But Jesus showed us a better model of sacrifice than Abraham. He didn’t just give up all that He had - He gave up all that He was and put Himself on the cross as the only acceptable sacrifice to God.

While giving up all that you have is never easy, giving up all that you are is the greater sacrifice. It’s easy to give up everything or even to sacrifice someone else on the altar, but when it comes to putting your own life there, suddenly you may realize you’ve been holding back on God.

In Romans 12:1, Paul encourages us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service and to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Many people are seeking God’s will, but not understanding His perfect will. If you miss this, you will find yourself wondering what more you can do to please God and be in His perfect will, when all He ever wanted was you.

I pray you have the courage today to place yourself on the altar, take up your cross and surrender yourself completely to God and His perfect will for your life.

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, there were many battles before them. They had to rely on God to bring them through step by step as they obeyed His commands. Today however, we approach our Promised Land from a “done” perspective. Jesus Christ has already won the victory on our behalf. All we have to do is appropriate the blessing. But what happens when we fall on the way to the Promised Land?

Most often we sin because we don’t trust God to bring the answer we want when we want it. So we fall into temptation by moving ahead of God to meet our need in a way we decide is appropriate and fulfilling. But what we don’t realize is that God’s provision, though it requires great patience to wait for it, will satisfy the need rather than offer a quick, convenient and temporary fix. In fact, it is not the provision itself that truly fulfills the need, but the Provider Himself.

If you have taken the easy road instead of waiting on God, you have an Advocate in Jesus Christ. He bore your sin and shame on the cross, so there is no need to beat yourself up or allow others to condemn you. Isaiah 53 states that Jesus Christ was wounded for your transgressions and he was bruised for your iniquities. He paid the price so you would not have to. Allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit to work repentance in your heart. Then simply move forward, trusting God to meet your needs His way and in His timing, not yours.

God’s people in the Bible messed up along the way, but it’s important to remember that God is faithful even when we are not. The grace of God is all about receiving what you could never earn and do not deserve. Make the decision today to turn from your sin, enter His rest and receive the Promise according to His grace. If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward. Psalm 37 says that the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord. Even though he may fall, God will uphold him. Be encouraged to finish the race. The only way you will lose is if you don’t get up again. And when you keep running the race, you may even have the opportunity to help someone else who has fallen along the way.

No matter what you’re going through, it’s gonna be alright. Let the Father minister to you through this beautiful song written by Dennis Jernigan.

Mike Hudson and Brown Bannister of the Imperials wrote this song to encourage us to praise God even when we don’t feel like it. That kind of faith and obedience is needed when you find yourself in the dark night of the soul. Eventually, you will have even more to praise Him for, but it’s in the midst of the storm that your faith is lost or found.

When you’re up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams;
When your hopes have been cruelly crushed
By Satan’s manifested schemes;
When you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears;
Don’t let let the faith you’re standing in
Seem to disappear.

Just praise the Lord.
He can work through those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord,
For our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord,
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him.

According to Psalm 139, God’s plan for your life existed long before you did. That means God took into account every situation and circumstance that you would encounter not only this day, but all the days of your life. Your Heavenly Father loved you before you even knew there was a God and no one can argue scripturally that God’s love for you has ever changed or ever will.

In contrast, the enemy of your soul has an entirely different plan for your life, to keep you in or bring you back to the pit that God brought you up out of. There are several reasons for satan to want to accomplish his goal. He is ticked off, not only for being evicted from heaven but for being utterly defeated by Jesus’ death on the cross. He knows his future is dim (see the Book of Revelation) and his ultimate desire is to get back at God any way he can. The only way the devil can hurt God is to hurt those whom God loves - you and me. He makes a daily effort to discourage you with negative thoughts, tempting you to sin and then condemning you afterwards to keep you in bondage. He tries to distract and deceive you so that you will never discover your true identity in Christ and begin to walk in the authority of the Kingdom you belong to. The sad part is that many believe the lies and settle for less than God’s very best.

In Zechariah 3, we see Joshua standing before a Holy God with filthy clothes, and satan standing nearby with vehement accusations against him. But instead of condemning Joshua, God openly rebukes satan on Joshua’s behalf. Then God orders a clean set of clothes for Joshua and sets a crown upon his head.

A missionary visited an orphanage in an impoverished country where the staff were overworked and overwhelmed with the needs of the children. One day, the missionary noticed a blind girl standing alone, her clothes soiled with excrement. In a simple act of compassion, the missionary cleansed her and gave her clean clothing, restoring her dignity and making the little girl feel loved and special.

That little girl represents each of us, blind to our condition and helpless to do anything about it. Although there was nothing we could do for ourselves to make us presentable before a Holy God, Jesus Christ, Gods’ own Son stood on our behalf before the Father, sinless and perfect to represent us.  In a generous act of grace, the Father cleansed you, clothed you in clean garments and even placed a crown on your head.

Crowns are not commonly seen because they are reserved for members of the royal family. But God declares in His word that through Christ, He adopted us and made us into a royal priesthood. He has crowned us with power and authority to represent His kingdom and His royal family.

Knowing and accepting your identity empowers you to stand and take authority, not only in your life but in the lives of others. If you feel accused and condemned, instead of running from God, run to God. 1 John 1:9 declares that if you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

In Christ you are cleansed of all sin, clothed in righteousness (right standing with God) and crowned with power and authority. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Simply begin to walk in your identity and enjoy the inheritance that is yours in Jesus Christ. As we individually rise up and take our place, God will use us corporately to bring leadership and influence to the earth at a time when the world needs Him most.

Dealing with difficult people on a regular basis can ultimately rob your peace and joy if you allow them to. Here are four steps to help you keep your cool when you can’t avoid the people or situations that put you over the edge.

1. Stop trying to control what is beyond your control.
As tempting as it may be to try to control the people around you, it will only add further stress to your life. You will have to babysit the difficult person on a continual basis or monitor the situation 24/7 and that robs you of precious time, energy and resources you could be using elsewhere. While you can discover more effective ways to deal with difficult people, you cannot effectively change anyone. You can only control you and your response to the difficult person or situation you are dealing with. Anything else will result in frustration.

2. Set boundaries between you and the people that rob your peace.
To the extent that it is possible, rearrange your time and schedule to minimize the friction between you and a co-worker, family member or anyone else that is adding stress to your day. While distancing yourself physically is not always possible, you can establish and communicate boundaries to protect yourself on an emotional, mental and spiritual level. Healthy boundaries allow you space to breathe and time to reflect on and analyze the situation. Sometimes it is simply your mindset about the person, situation or role you play in the relationship that needs to change. Then, you can take responsibility, stop playing the victim and begin to develop yourself.

3. Pray.
You may be surprised to discover that God is using this person or situation to build your character. Though you may not see the outward evidence of God’s character-building work in your life, be encouraged that He is molding and shaping you into the image of His Son.

4. Be proactive.
Dealing with difficult people or circumstances can cause you to lose your focus. Instead, draw close to God and seek Him for wisdom and revelation. Trust Him to lead you step by step as He fulfills His perfect plan for you and the people involved. He will give you steps and strategies to maintain your peace and joy and gain the victory, no matter how difficult the people and circumstances in your life appear to be.

And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Many people worry about finding their ministry, but instead of getting anxious about what you should be doing for the Lord, rest assured that when the time is right, your ministry will find you. While it’s good to know what your gifts are, be flexible and allow God the freedom to use you in ways you didn’t think He could.

If you’re already involved in ministry, don’t expect the same-old, same-old with God. It is His perogative to use you however, wherever, whenever and with whomever He wants to. Don’t concern yourself with positions and titles. Sometimes the position of highest influence is at the bottom of the totem pole where you have far more people contact than you’d have if you were at the top. I knew a “sanitation engineer” who was reaching countless people for Christ because he was just an ordinary guy and people didn’t feel threatened by him or his position.

When you’re transparent and real with people, they will see Christ in you. Trying to be someone else is a lot of work. You are unique and uniquely called. As you enter into His rest, God will use you in simple and effective ways without you having to strive. So relax and enjoy what He has called you to today and know that as you trust in Him, He will direct your path to fulfill the purpose and plan He has for you. Remember, He who called you is faithful and He will do it!

The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. Hebrews 4:1 CEV

When you have a passion for God that is rooted in emotions, you can find yourself driven to serve. On the surface, your motives may appear right but the results may not be what you had hoped. When you’re driven by needs, desires or even strong values, you can find yourself ahead of God or on the wrong path altogether, wondering when He will arrive at the scene. When you are led by God, you will find that even if you get to where you’re going and the provision isn’t there yet, it will be there shortly.

If you’ve been met by disappointment, take time to ensure your plans are in line with God’s will and God’s timing. Racing ahead of God will only frustrate you. If you need to learn patience, learn it quickly! Then wait on Him, listen for His direction and move forward appropriately. An equal tragedy would be to doubt, procrastinate and miss your opportunity altogether. Once you’ve heard His voice, get the confirmation you need and simply take that step of faith. When the stage is set and you take your place, you’ll be in a position to receive all that your Father has for you.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

When you find yourself in a position of compromise, it’s for one of two reasons - seeking to please yourself or trying to please someone else. Sometimes, it can be a combination of the two. It’s like the captain whose ship crashed into the rocks. His first response was, “How did we end up here?” Even if your motives are only 1 degree off, in a matter of time you can find yourself shipwrecked.

Sometimes when you get into a pattern of pleasing others, it’s easy to think you’re on course with God because it feels right and you have a certain semblance of peace. You can even fool yourself into believing that you’re doing what you’re doing for the right reasons. Sometimes your need is so great, you can justify meeting it in your own way or in your own timing.

Sometimes the foundation of your identity is faulty and must be leveled. If your identity has been built on what you’ve done or what you do, God will begin to strip those things from you in order to reveal your true identity. A slave’s identity is based on what he does, but a son is who he is because of his father.

When you know who you are, you won’t be driven by the love, acceptance and approval of others. Your Father’s love is not based on what you do, even for Him. When you get this settled in your head and in your heart, you will serve Him purely out of gratitude for the love, acceptance and approval you know you didn’t earn or deserve.

If you’re somewhere in the middle of the process, take heart. It is because of God’s love for you that He did not want you to fall later down the road. Instead, He took the time to restore your foundation now so that He can build your life soley upon His love for you. You are His daughter and He loves you. That will never change.

…He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Don’t believe Spring is here?

Check this out…

Click your mouse anywhere (& everywhere) on the page & see what happens! Better yet, click (hold down) & drag your mouse over the black page, or just hold in one place.

Enjoy!

If you have an interest in theological studies, I’ve compiled a shortlist of the best free online courses available. You could use them for self-study or to facilitate a Bible study, small group or foundational course for new believers at your local church.

Stonebriar Community Church offers a free Theology Program for self-study, small group or local church settings. This comprehensive course of study is designed to equip believers to understand and defend the Christian faith. For a nominal fee, you can enroll as a certificate student and qualify for Continuing Education (CE) credits where applicable.

John Piper and a number of respected Bible teachers offer their expertise to Biblical Training. They offer a 12-week foundational course for new believers, in addition to several advanced courses such as New Testament Survey, Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics and Islam. For further study, most of these classes have a seminary-level counterpart under Leadership Education. You can create a custom class for your church, leaders, elders or small group where you can choose lectures from Biblical Training in addition to your own lectures if you wish. A series of online reports helps you track enrollment and attendance in your course. Courses are not accredited.

RBC Ministries, the people who bring you Our Daily Bread offer Christian Courses. Some of the courses are eligible for Continuing Education (CE) Certficate Programs. Dr. Larry Crabb is among the teachers offering courses in Christian Living, Old and New Testament Bible Courses and Advanced Studies.

Internet Biblical Seminary offers a proven curriculum available on CD, in written format, downloadable or for online study in five languages. IBS was developed out of on-the-field ministry. Currently, more than 50 facilitators travel to target countries where they mentor and train nationals to teach and adapt the curriculum to their specific needs and cultures. IBS has developed a unique technology to easily translate the courses into any language, making this one of the most effective mission tools available.

And last but not least, BBN Bible Institute offers free classes in audio format, featuring respected teachers such as Charles Ryrie, Howard Hendricks, Erwin Lutzer and the late Dr. Merrill Tenney.

The Toronto Passion Play is a historical re-enactment of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Currently in its 16th year of production, more than 220,000 people have enjoyed the Passion Play since its inception in 1993 and with a cast and crew of more than 300, this is something you’ll want to make an Easter tradition year after year with friends and family.

This year’s dates for The Toronto Passion Play are listed below. Admission is free, but arrive early to get a seat.

Saturday, April 4th, 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 5th, 4:00 pm

Friday, April 10th, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 11th, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 12th, 4:00 pm

He opened the rock and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. (Psalm 105:41)

Here we see an accounting of God’s supernatural provision in the lives of His people while making their exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. During their journey, the Israelites could in no way make claim to God’s glory for meeting their needs every step of the way.

It’s like that for us today. Even though we may think we got where we are without any help from God, it’s simply not true. And since God isn’t one to stand up and take the credit for the good things in our lives, it’s up to us to give him the praise and thanks He deserves.

As believers, we can find ourselves in a desert place in one or more areas of our lives, feeling as though we’re lost in the wilderness for weeks, months and even years. It can be overwhelming, confusing, discouraging and depressing all at the same time. Sadly, the same wilderness that was only meant to be a temporary passage can easily become our final destination. But even when we completely lose hope in God’s promises, it is His nature to resurrect and bring to life again to that which has experienced death. An impossible situation is where God loves to shine.

Was anyone surprised when God brought forth water from the rock? I think so. It’s not like there was a faucet or shower head on the rock and someone said, “Hey, look at that - why didn’t we think of that before?” No, there was nothing they did or could have done to assist God in His supernatural provision, causing water to flow out of a rock to quench the thirst of more than a million people. In fact, many of them were not modelling good behaviour. There was little to no faith and a whole lot of grumbling going on in the camp.

The point is that sometimes God performs a miracle in our lives despite us. Sometimes God performs a miracle in our lives because He wants to. Sometimes God performs a miracle in our lives because it is simply a matter of His timing. God may have stretched your faith a little in the desert to show You what He can do all by Himself. He may have stretched your faith in the desert to show You what you cannot do for yourself. He may have stretched your faith in the desert to show You how far your faith really could go; it may have been a step short of His provision or a mile short of His provision. The point is that God remains faithful, even when we are not.

If you’ve never had your faith stretched beyond your capacity to believe, then you haven’t walked with God long enough. Trials and temptations will come and go and you won’t always pass with flying colours, but that’s okay. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though you may fall, Psalm 37:23-24 says the Lord will uphold you with His hand.

God is about to cause water to gush forth from the rock, the driest place in your life. Whether it’s your faith or a situation with your finances, your job, your marriage, your family or a combination of the above, God can cause waters to gush forth from the most unlikely places. When He performs a miracle, it not only meets your need, but it will overflow to meet the needs of others in your life. Remember the leftovers from the feeding of the four thousand and the five thousand. Remember Peter’s miracle of a catch so great it began to sink the boat. You may not even be expecting it, but your miracle is coming.

Lord, I pray for Your people right now. Open the rock and cause water to gush forth. Father, You know everything we’ve done and tried to do to make our own way, but now we ask You to do what only You can do. Bring glory to Your name and give us a testimony that will touch and change the world, in Jesus’ name.

In Luke 4, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. This was the testing ground for Jesus prior to the official beginning of his ministry. You’ve probably heard your fair share of messages about the temptations Jesus endured in the wilderness, but it can be difficult to understand how it applies to your own life.

At the end of His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was hungry. He had a valid, physical need and the enemy used this as an opportunity to tempt Jesus to miraculously turn stones into bread. The devil knew that Jesus had the power to do it. The need that Jesus had was very real and no one could blame Him for being tempted to give in, however, He made a decision to deny Himself.

When you are faced with temptation, it is easy to turn stones into bread. Your temptation may be in the form of an opportunity, a relationship, an immediate solution to your problem or even what appears to be an answer to prayer. That is why you need to ask for wisdom and discernment when faced with difficult choices. If the answer is too easy and too convenient, it is probably not from God. If you feel pressured and anxious to do it, it is probably not from God. If your emotions are overwhelmingly in favour of doing it, it is probably not from God.

Before rushing into something you may regret, step back from the situation and wait for confirmation. God’s answers sometimes take longer than you’re willing to wait, but they are always worth waiting for. When it comes to prayer, microwaving is not an option. True answers to prayer are usually simmered to perfection in God’s slow cooker.

Your physical needs are often the most urgent of all temptations. Accompanied by emotional needs, the lust of the flesh can drive us to the point of no return. Whatever your needs are today, you can make a decision to trust God. He is not only your Provider, but your Provision. As you become honest and transparent with with Him, He will meet your needs at a much deeper level than the physical.

After Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness, His Father opened doors to the most powerful ministry Earth had ever witnessed. Jesus said you would do even greater things. As you submit your needs and your will to the Father, He will strengthen you to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. Then, He will open doors for you to reach, touch and change the world with the power of His Spirit within you.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

It’s easy to become discouraged as you wait on God to fulfill His promises and things don’t seem to be happening as quickly as you’d like them to. But as you give up and stop trying to make it happen, God will effortlessly guide you to the right place at the right time to fulfill His promise in better ways than you can imagine. Your willingness to change and make the necessary adjustments is key.

If you’re out of fellowship with other believers, the first thing to do is to get back in the ring. You don’t stop going to the grocery store because the cashier wasn’t nice to you. As difficult as it is at times, being in relationship with other believers is essential both to you and to them. God fulfills His promises through relationships, so if you’re out of the game, you can miss His plan. Likewise, someone else may not fulfill their purpose because you were the missing piece of the puzzle.

God seldom, if ever, fulfills His plans the way you think He will. If you feel His promise is taking too long, be open and ask Him what changes you can make. Then, cooperate with Him by making the necessary adjustments. Rather than fighting God and insisting on your way, reposition yourself to get in alignment with Him and what He is doing. Because He loves you, He will work with you and do everything He can to help you receive His very best.

I’ve just added some tres cool productivity tools on the Resources page.

Enjoy!

Leanne

A businessman boarded a small aircraft in Dallas for a meeting in another city. When he saw his colleague across the aisle pull out his tray to catch up on some work, he was inspired to do the same. Not for a lack of effort on his part, he was unable to get his tray to come out. In frustration, he asked his colleague across the aisle for help.

Together, the two pushed and pulled and did everything possible to get the tray to come out, without success. Finally, he decided to take the seat ahead of him where the tray came out almost effortlessly. Several hours later when the plane landed, he was getting his luggage from above the seat and happened to notice the sign behind him saying, “Emergency Exit. Pull handle.” Horrified, he thought of what might have happened had he been successful in forcing that door open.

How many times do we try to force open a door, not realizing that God is protecting us by keeping it tightly closed? There are times when God uses a closed door to keep you safe in the centre of His perfect will. Even the right door opened at the wrong time can be to your detriment. You can trust God to open the right door for you at the right time. Until that time, you can trust that He has your best interests at heart.  

He who called you is faithful and He will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

When everything went wrong for Job, his humble response was, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Even his wife lost hope and told him to curse God and die. But God carried Job through his time of testing and brought complete restoration to every area of his life. God can do the same for you.

No matter what you’re going through, God is worthy to be praised. Even when you least feel like it, you can make a decision to worship Him anyway. Through your simple act of faith and humility, you will find His strength to carry you.

Someone once said, “I can’t go back. I can’t stay here. I must move forward.” The first time you drive a car, you quickly realize that you cannot put the car in drive and reverse at the same time. Nor can you (or should you) move forward while looking back. A quick glance out of your rear view mirror is all that is needed before putting the car in drive and moving forward.

Several years ago, author Sharon Jaynes shared this poem on a Christian television program and she was nice enough to email it to me afterwards:

Just as my child brings his broken toys to me to mend
I took my broken dreams to God because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried, “How could you be so slow.”
“What could I do my child,” He said, “You never would let go.”

When you begin to look forward,  God will begin to move you forward. God wants to do a new thing in your life this year and take you places you’ve never dreamed of going. If that sounds scary, it’s not. God is a good God and His plans and purposes for your life are also good. His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.

When God restores, the end is always better than the beginning. Your job is to simply get out of reverse, stop dwelling on the past and allow God to move you forward into the extraordinary future He has for you, starting today!

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:12)

Yesterday was garbage day at my house. Even though I don’t accumulate a whole lot of trash, by the time garbage day rolls around, I’m always more than ready to kick it to the curb. While I was thinking about it, a simple question arose, “Would you carry around yesterday’s garbage?” My immediate response was, “Of course not! Who in their right mind would want to hold onto their garbage any longer than necessary?” The next thought that came to mind was, “…then why would you carry around your spiritual garbage?” Good question.

Like yesterday’s trash, your spiritual garbage is doing nothing for you. So why hold onto it? Quite frankly, you may have just been too lazy to take out the trash. Instead of dealing with the garbage, it may have seemed easier to learn to live with the anger, unforgiveness and other junk you’ve been carrying around for weeks, months and even years. Or maybe you didn’t realize how hazardous this kind of garbage can be to your health if kept around too long.

Several years ago, I passed through a town with a paper mill that emitted quite a stench for miles around. A Greyhound bus driver made the comment that if he didn’t finish his coffee before driving through town every day, he could not finish his coffee. For the locals however, it was a different story. The same smell that turned the bus driver’s stomach (and mine) didn’t even phase them. In fact, they had gotten so used to the smell, they didn’t even notice it anymore. But after a high percentage of the community ended up with cancer, studies found that long-term exposure to the chemicals from the paper mill had proven toxic.

Living with spiritual garbage is no different. While you could just sit around and get used to living with it, over time, complacency results in serious long-term effects to your health—and relationships. If you’re a child of God living with trash from the past, it’s time to let go of the bag, kick it to the curb of your life and leave it there. Then ask God to come and fill you with the fresh, sweet fragrance of His Spirit, empowering you to move forward in His plans and purposes.

…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Taking it to the Streets by The Doobie Brothers

Jesus is Just Alright by the Doobie Bros.

The steps of a righteous man (or woman) are ordered of God. Once you’re certain you’ve heard from God, you can step out in confidence, knowing that the God who ordered your steps will also sustain you each and every step of the way.

When Jesus asked His disciples to get in the boat and row to the other side, He gave them clear direction. They knew exactly what they were to do. The fact that a storm arose shortly afterwards meant little to Jesus. He had plans for them on the other side and it was only natural that opposition would arise to stop them. While it’s easy to judge the disciples, when it’s you or me, we have to admit it’s not easy to remember what to do to stay focused in the middle of the storm. Sometimes we can lose it to the point of turning back and missing God altogether because of our fear or doubt. But even when the disciples lost their cool, Jesus met them where they were and reassured them everything was going to be okay.

In fact, it was when the disciples were full of fear that Jesus called Peter out of the boat to walk on the water with Him. Even when Peter began to sink, Jesus held him up. These are the times that make for the greatest lessons we’ll ever learn. When we try and fail and try again, we overcome our past and our opposition just because we refuse to give up. That is a passing mark on the test.

When you step out, you automatically step up. You step up to the challenge of taking God at His Word. You step up to the challenge of holding on with a bulldog faith that won’t quit no matter what happens to you or what is happening around you, no matter who is with you or who abandons you, no matter how much money is gone and how much money is left.

In stepping out, you step up because you’re one step ahead of where you were before. If you could see beforehand where that one little step can place you, your excitement would outweigh your fear. Even if fear opposes you, step out anyway. This is a year of promise and promotion. Step out with boldness and confidence and step up with humility and grace. You may find you can even walk on water.

My pastor told a story about a man who quit his job only a few years before retirement because he believed with all his heart that God was directing him. Though it appeared to those around him he was going against all sound wisdom, he made the decision to obey. Over the next two years, this man built a very large and successful corporation, but it all began with that first small step of obedience. When the Lord leads you to do something that doesn’t make sense to your logical mind, He is asking you trust Him to see you through to the end.

One day, Gideon found himself at the point of decision-making after receiving instruction from the Lord to go to battle with a small army of 300 men. God didn’t seem to mind Gideon’s repeated requests for reassurance in an attempt to quench his lingering doubts and fears, but when Gideon finally decided to move forward, he won the battle hands-down and God received the glory.

Have you heard God’s still, small voice directing you? If so, then don’t be afraid to ask for assurance that it is really from Him. Sometimes it’s only in looking back that you can how God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating people, circumstances and events on your behalf.

We’re entering a season of God’s unprecedented favour, but it’s about us partnering with Him to see His plans and purposes fulfilled in the earth. This year, as you walk step by step with God in obedience to His leading, you will see Him move in ways you’ve never seen or even imagined.

Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

When Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, it wasn’t all fun and games. Even though God was with them and guaranteed their success, God’s people learned that they would have to take steps to obtain the promise.

When faced with his first challenge inside the Promised Land, Joshua went straight to God instead of trusting in his experience. He knew God had told him to take the land, but it was the “how” that Joshua needed help with.

God instructed Joshua to command his army to march around the city once a day for exactly 6 days. On the 7th day, they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets on the last lap. When Joshua’s army gave a shout of victory, that was God’s cue to take down the walls of Jericho. No architects, no city planning committee, no permits and no heavy equipment needed. Joshua and his army were to simply obey, even when it didn’t make sense, and God would do the rest.

Sometimes the only thing standing between you and the fulfillment of God’s promise is a simple act of obedience. God gives you something simple to do in order to test your obedience and show you His glory as you move forward together, step by step toward the promise. The wisdom of God will at times challenge your logical reasoning, but like Joshua, when you choose to simply trust God and obey, you will see Him move in a powerful way.

Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. Joshua 6:16