Let Faith Rise!

It seems that ducks are constant sources of illustration for me lately! Yesterday I was sitting by the lake watching the sun go down and as I sat there looking at the calm, peaceful water, a few ducks swam past. It fascinates me that on the surface the ducks hardly make a ripple, yet underneath you know that their feet (are they called feet?!) are paddling like crazy to propel them along.

Let’s face it, sometimes life feels a lot like this! People look at us and on the surface we are just cruising along (well in public anyway), yet if they looked closer, beneath the surface, there’s mad paddling going on trying to keep us afloat and keep us moving through life. We are so good at covering what is really taking place, not that I like the idea of airing all our issues all the time to everyone regardless of whether they want to hear it or not, but generally we want people to think we are OK, that we are coping and we are all good!

I have been working hard lately to follow my own blog advice, to shout with a voice louder than the circumstances around me, to declare the goodness of God and choose to look with faith rather than fear. It is not easy, and it’s often at those times that I feel like my little feet (or soul) is kicking at high speed to keep me afloat and moving along!

Christine Caine put a great reminder on Instagram yesterday, it said, ‘He knew that we would be afraid, that we would doubt. That’s why He tells us again and again in the Bible, “Fear not.”‘ I love this! Mostly because it is so true! I love the fact that God in His wisdom knew that every day there would be worries, that every day there would be little fears that crept in and so He said over and again “Fear not!” It is so easy to look with a fear-view, to speak with fear in our voices, to live in fear but oh how I long to see with a faith-view, to speak with a faith-voice and to live in faith! How “funny” though that we don’t really need faith until the hard times set in, and often at those times any semblance of faith goes flying out the window!

As I sat there by the still waters of the lake yesterday, the beautiful words and promises in Psalm 23 came to mind:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Then what about the amazing and challenging words in Matthew 6; “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (The Message)

There are about 5 sermon length messages in me as I read and ponder these Scriptures, but I remind myself that this is just a blog! Needless to say, as I sat there by the lake and allowed my soul; my mind, will and emotions, to think upon these things, my spirit began to rise and faith began to re-surface. Then as I walked home I looked up and saw a double-rainbow! Ha! God is awesome! A double reminder that He IS good, He IS faithful, He IS merciful, His promises are YES AND AMEN and He IS with me! (Photo cred: Ps Chris Pringle! xx)

Today can I encourage you to take up your faith-vision, your faith-voice and to think upon these promises from your Saviour, to remember that His goodness and His mercy will follow you all the days of your life – even (especially!) the bad days! Calm that crazy paddling beneath the surface, turn to Jesus and allow Him to lead you along those still waters, trusting Him for all you need for each and every day. Spend time reading these Scriptures over and again, listen to some faith-filled worship and allow Him to restore your soul.

Believing with you for faith-filled lives, focused on doing all that He sets before us with grace and humility, not living in defeat but rising to be the overcomers that we are in Christ! Amen!

Love Jodie. x

If you don’t know Jesus as your Saviour, can I implore you to turn to Him? He is so completely good and He loves you so very, very much! The Bible says in Romans 10:9 that if you declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, then you will be saved. Pray this prayer, out loud, and believe it in your heart: ‘Jesus, I believe that you came and died for me, to forgive me of all my sins, everything I would ever do wrong. I believe you rose from the grave, defeating sin and death and that I am now forgiven and free! Thank you for saving me, I receive your forgiveness and your freedom and I choose to forgive those who have hurt me. I want to live for you, and with you by my side. Amen.’ If you have prayed this prayer for the first time or have re-dedicated your life to Jesus today, can I encourage you to tell a Christian friend, to find a faith-filled Church where they can help you grow and learn more about Jesus. I would also love you to write to me and tell me so that I can pray for you! Congratulations, you are now part of the family of God! It doesn’t mean everything is going to be easy, but it does mean that you have God to help you through it all!