Take A Step

I'm feeling a stirring in my spirit, an excitement, anticipation, for what...I'm not quite sure.

My desire is to follow where He leads.

To trust in His plans no questions asked.

Why then do I question? Why do I hesitate and hold back? What am I doing!?!?

His ways are perfect(Psalm 18:30) and mine......are not.

I believe that living by faith, while hard, is absolutely necessary.

So what are we doing? How are we building up our faith? Are we responding to the voice of God and stepping out of our comfort zones? No, well, why not....are we afraid? Afraid that He won't be there to guide us, to speak through us, to use us. Are we afraid to take that step of faith because it might not actually be Him speaking to us. There are so many things that cause us to shrink back and be afraid but still God calls, draws you in, speaks. To increase your faith you must decrease, decrease your doubts, decrease your fear, decrease your emotions and begin taking some of those small steps. That is how your faith will increase. A wise person once told me "so what if you mess up" learn from it and keep going. I want to encourage all of you to take a step of faith and if you think you are all alone in the difficulty of taking that step, you're not. We all struggle with faith in one area or another. You may be struggling with hearing Gods voice or trusting in His plan......I struggle with a fear of prophesying in church and it not being from God. Thankfully, my faith in Him and my desire to follow enables me to try. Every small step/victory strengthens my faith...my trust in Him and His guidance and direction for my life.  Don't be so afraid or worried that you loose out
                                                                     on the amazing adventure God has for you!

 Take a step....trust me, it's worth it.

TinaMarie

*quote is taken from the song Oceans(Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsongs. I was listening to it on repeat while editing and posting this blog.....LOVE that song!

God Has Not!!!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(2 Tim 1:7)NKJV

This is probably the first verse that comes to my mind when thinking of fear or being afraid.
"God Has not!!!" so powerful but do we actually believe it, have it ingrained in our heads and in our hearts.
When something rocks you to the core are you firm in your faith...are you firm in your Heavenly Father?
I am and I would love to hear the same from each and everyone of you.
Am I saying that I am never ever ever afraid!?!
No, that's not what I'm saying because it would be a lie.
What I am saying is my hope, my trust, my faith is built on nothing less then Jesus blood and righteousness.
Did you see that....see how I put a song in there :) That's one of my favorite Hymns but now I'm just getting distracted.
I have moments when I am afraid.......fleeting moments because almost immediately my gaze is brought back to my Heavenly Father who holds the whole world in His hands.
Another few verse's come to mind....
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.(Matthew 10:29-31)NKJV

The verse at the beginning is not the only one in the Bible encouraging us to not be afraid....nope, telling us to not be afraid.
There is verse after verse after verse after ver......and I could go on. Are we getting it then. It must be super important if God felt it necessary to repeat himself soooo many times. Here are just a few more.
Do not be afraid, little flock.....(Luke 12:32)NIV
Do not tremble; do not be afraid....(Isaiah 44:8)NIV
....he will calm all your fears....(Zephaniah 3:17)NIV
....I will fear no evil,  for you are with me....(Psalm 23:4)NIV
.....So don’t be troubled or afraid.(John 14:27)NIV
This is my command—be strong and courageous.....(Joshua 1:9)NIV    And I will end on this one because now He is commanding us.....well actually He was commanding Joshua but isn't that command for all of us too?! Yup, yup it is :)
When troubles come, and they will, don't let them shake you! Plant your feet on a firm foundation and hold fast to the creator of all things, the lover of all things, the healer of all things, the giver of all things.
He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.(Isaiah 33:6)NIV

God Has Not Given You A Spirit Of Fear!!!
Xo TinaMarie