W@w - Women@work For God

God has created us as relational beings. God’s DNA of compassion, care and love are woven into who we are. We long for communion and relationship. Not only with our Lord and Creator, but with one another. Ephesians 4:4-6 (MSG): “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.”

We are often paralysed by anxiety and fear, and by the busyness and the demands of the world. We feel overwhelmed and out of control. What is the root cause of this? Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV): “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Is it possible for our lives to truly reflect the beauty of the gospel? I believe that this is part of God’s strategy for our lives. Not an easy one… So where do we start? Let’s start by putting our Father God first in everything. Matthew 6:33 (NIV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Rest comes from total surrender, and trust that our Father God is almighty, sovereign and in control. To be at rest is to be at peace, which produces true happiness in our hearts. It implies that we are content, not worrying or in fear, but KNOWING that our Lord has our backs. Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.”

The Bible tells us that our Father God’s plans for us are good! What is holding you back in becoming all He created you to be? Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

It is possible for our lives to glorify our Father God and reflect the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’ve heard the saying so many times: “You may be the only Bible someone gets to read”. What is needed for us to reflect the Gospel well? Let’s learn from Stephen’s life in Acts 6. Acts 6 (AMP): “5…Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost… 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people… 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

What is hope? Hope implies confidence and assurance, and therefore TRUST. But let’s also look at the opposite of HOPE: Hopelessness, disbelief, despair, discouragement, fear and even hatred. Do you know that we truly do not have to feel any of these negative feelings? That was never our Father God’s intention for us! Let’s declare today: “No more worries and negative feelings. We choose LIFE. We choose LIGHT. We choose HOPE!”   John 10:10 (AMP): “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

Jesus learned trusting-obedience by what He suffered, just as we do. That means suffering leads to growth. Growth doesn't come from staying in a comfort zone. Growth comes when we learn to persevere during our times of hardship, suffering, sacrifice, or being thrown into deep waters. Perseverance implies quietly waiting on and trusting in the Lord. This helps us to mature in our faith - and ultimately leads us to trusting-loving-obedience and alignment to our Father God’s will.   Hebrews 5:8 (AMP): "Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father], He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered."

In Acts 23 we see that Paul is under persecution. There is an uproar against him, and he is facing death, and being held captive. How amazing is our God? During hardship, persecution, and a bleak situation, our loving Lord shows up to encourage him (Paul), to be with him, and to show him the way forward. Our amazing Father God wants to do the same for us today.   Acts 23:11 (NIV): "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Do you know the desire of our Father God’s heart? Let’s bring glory to Him, worshiping and giving praise with awe-filled reverence and profound respect. He alone is holy. Let's love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls. Let's submit to God in a way that puts His splendour and supremacy on display.    Deuteronomy 10:12 (NIV): “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…”  

Do you want to learn more about who our Father God is? Let's explore who our Father God is, by studying His names. Let’s trust in and completely rely upon our Lord, walking in His ways and honouring His NAME as the Name above all names.    Isaiah 26:8 (NIV): “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”  

Let us be determined to ask our Father God for His life-giving Spirit to be with us and to live within us.   Isaiah 11:2 (NIV): “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord…”  

Do you truly believe that you have LIFE - life in abundance, life to the full - not because of your own righteousness or good deeds, but because of our Father God’s unconditional LOVE through Jesus? What amazing grace and mercy! We have a HOPE and a wonderful future.   1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Who do you rely on when you are faced with a decision? How often do you try to do things in your own strength?   John 8:28 (AMP): "So Jesus said: When you lift up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will know then [without any doubt] that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but I say these things just as My Father taught Me."  

Who is in your boat? Would you invite Jesus on board? Let’s get rid of the fears, worries, doubts and darkness in and around our boats. Let’s invite Jesus on board. Let’s keep our focus on Him and not on the storm around us. Let’s trust Him to steer our lives according to our Father’s will. Let’s experience fullness of life by being 100% dependant on our Lord and Saviour.   John 6:20-21 (AMP): “But Jesus said to them, “It is I (I Am); do not be afraid.” Then they were willing to take Him on board the boat, and immediately the boat reached the [shore of the] land to which they were going.”  

Have you taken time to really consider what it means to have abundant life, and full, eternal life?  Does this cause you to think differently about your time, your circumstances, your loved ones, and the things of this world you live in?   John 10:10b (AMP): “…I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

Do you want to get well? Consider the following: What is driving you? Have you grown complacent? Do you often believe the lies of the enemy? What is paralysing you at the moment? Where is your focus? What is stealing your joy? What is stealing your time away from prioritising God and His word? Do you really want to get well, or have you allowed your condition or your fear to become your identity?    John 5:6 (AMP): “When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?”

To praise the Lord is to bless Him, to give Him thanks and to exalt Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It implies that we proclaim His name as the Name above all names. It’s to make His name known and to talk about what God has done for us.   1 Chronicles 16:10-11 (AMP): “Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].”

Do you know God’s will for your life? Do you spend time with our loving Father? Do you spend time in His Word, allowing Him to teach you and direct your ways?   Psalm 25:4-5 (AMP): “Let me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God of my salvation; For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long.”  

Worrying leads to anxiety. Anxiety leads to tension, tension leads to pain, pain leads to fear. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to destruction, destruction leads to death. These are in contradiction to rest. Rest leads to trust, trust leads to favour, favour leads to happiness, happiness leads to joy, joy leads to peace, peace leads to love, love leads to hope, hope leads to life!   Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”