The Psalmist – “Teach me to do Your will…”

The will of God is something we hear about a lot as Christians.

We are constantly prompted to accept Gods will, seek for His will and have faith in whatever His will may be. But are we ready to ask to be taught how to follow Gods will?

The Psalmist did this (Psalm 143:10).

Teach me to do Your will…

 

I’ll be sincere this statement left me in awe. Never in my life have I ever asked God to teach me to do what He requires.

Teach – 1) impart knowledge to or instruct (someone) as to how to do something. 2) cause (someone) to learn to understand something by example or experience.

* Disclaimer – that second definition got me too lol

To even ask to be taught something it’s because first we have come to the realisation that somehow we lack proper understanding or are failing. Doing the will of God goes against all of human nature. How am I so sure? Simply because I know I have my own will, which often has its own plans and desires. Therefore what the Psalmist is doing here, seeking not to only do the will of God but how to do it correctly is, well… wise.

He does this because he doesn’t want to even fall short of doing things by Gods standards, and by his own – not even “accidently”. His hearts desire is truly to serve God. Not just in action, but internally. The one who decides to deprive themself of their own will for Gods, is the type of person who serves God inwardly before they do externally. Anyone can look like they’re serving God, but to hear Gods voice, to listen and choose to obey that is true servitude.

For over a month I’ve been meditating on the book of Psalms, and as I come to the end of it what better way  to document some of the many revelations God has given me than to share them here? I hope it blesses you all just as much as it has me, many of these verses gave me great experiences with God, they came at times when I needed those revelations the most.

Doing It Like a Queen – Discernment

She had great wisdom to know how to handle any situation.
When I initially read this statement, a few things came to mind. We could easily speak about the way we deal with people… but as I thought deeper though all these things are equally important one thing did come to mind.

Knowing when to fight and when to wait .

Thinking deeply about Queen Esther and the decision she made she knew exactly how to do this. A bit of context on her story – Queen Esther found herself in a situation where she was physically speaking the only one who could save her people, and with this she took a massive step. She placed herself not only in a difficult situation, but the decision she made to confront the King about the planned massacre, if rejected would cost her her life (Read Esther).

We may never face a situation such as that of Queen Esther, but we too have our own battles and we must know how to judge each situation. When it is the time to go before God in purpose and fight for what we want, and when it’s a moment of humility and we must trust in our God.

Each situation brings about different requirements of how it should be dealt with, and we have to have wisdom to know what each situation is demanding from us.

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is fight and do purposes of faith, to try to gain what we want with our own strength in hope that we will successfully “shake Gods throne” and make sense of what we are being faced with. At times it’s easier to recite Bible verses, and believe that “this fight is the Lords…” when in truth the situation requires an act of faith.

“Okay, I get it Peniel, but how do I know what to do?” Simple, seek Gods guidance. Ask Him what He would have you do in that situation. If necessary He will inspire you with a purpose of faith, or He will encourage you to invest in other things and persevere in faith or He may even be silent. Baring in mind His silence isn’t a free pass for us to just do what we think is best. In those moments of silence continue to seek, and He will guide your every step – How? Through His Word of course. What has He been saying to you recently? What is the Word He has been allowing to play in your mind? That’s what He wants you to focus on.

You must understand that If now is a moment to allow God to act, this does not mean you are not in faith or even not revolted. It just means that that is what God requires from you in this moment. It’s so important we get this right, because getting this wrong can lead to frustration, anxiety and even malice towards God.

One of the hardest things to do when you’re far from God is to posses the ability to discern – to truly understand what He wants you to do. There will be times in life where you will need to distance yourself from everything and everyone, cancel out everyone’s opinions and stop to listen to what God is saying. That separation from everything that distracts you, and takes away from what God is showing you is at times necessary. The only way to be able to discern what God expects of us in different situations is when we are close to Him. The closer we are, the clearer His voice is and the more we discern when He is speaking.

Seek for Gods direction in everything, and He will show you what you must do in every moment in your life. You’ll hear Him loud and clear. Until next time …

Doing It Like a Queen – We’re back!

A few years ago I started a blog series, but it’s very much incomplete. Recently I’ve been thinking about my blog and the purpose behind why I started it – honestly nothing changed and therefore I’m back :). With the same intention – sharing with you my thoughts and growing together.

Doing it like a queen is based on some of the characteristics I found, that were portrayed by Queen Esther in the Bible. Far from perfect she was, but even in the most difficult of circumstances she shone and today we can learn from her. Below you can find some of the blog posts already written for this series and I’ll be continuing where we left off.

Join me on this journey…

1. She accepted what she believed in no matter what the consequences.
2. She knew when to ask for help
3. She made sure her physical appearance was good
4. She knew how to submit to authority
5. She trusted in the authority of others
6. She had great wisdom to know how to handle any situation
7. She gave credit where credit was due
8. When she asked for something, it had great purpose
9. She was wise enough to understand the whole matter before responding
10. She realised God’s timing
11. She knew God’s warning even when it came out of the mouth of someone else
12. She had courage
13. She required those closest to her to be just like her – she wasn’t friends with just anyone!
14. Everything she did was for God to show his power
15. She knew how to wait for the right moment to speak
16. She chose her words wisely
17. Her reward was great but she did not mind passing on her blessing
18. She kept going and kept pushing for what she wanted!
19. She knew how to speak sweet words to her husband to make him feel like a king
20. She knew that after you have done all you can do then the Lord will handle the rest
21. She fought for what she believed in

I’ve highlighted in purple the things that really stood out for me, what characteristics stand out for you?

2019 – The refining process

Setbacks are opportunities for God to propel you into who and where He wants you to be.

Sometimes we think that because things seem to be going in the opposite direction to what we planned, or because we’ve been setback that now we are “at the back of the queue.”

No! That’s when you are at the front of the queue, because it’s in the difficulties and setbacks of life where God is watching you most. Where He is observing your every move. Your attitude towards your problem, and current situation. That’s what changes everything.

When we choose to make the most of every situation we face in life with FAITH and total dependence on God… when we comeback from those “setbacks” we will find ourselves even further ahead and better off than where we were before, because we choose to make the most of the situation with God.

The God you serve is a God who loves to use setbacks, these are the moments where He shows Himself strongest in our lives – if we allow Him to. The moments that shape us and change us for the better if we allow them to. These are the precious moments that change everything, the moments we never forget.

Wherever you are in life at this current moment in time, even if it feels as if you’ve taken 10 steps back. Continue to look ahead, sometimes the best way to fast track ahead to who and where we want to be, is by being put in a position where we have no other choice but to cling to God… and grow. It’s at our lowest that we seek God the most, and those moments spent on our knees before Him is when He can orchestrate the work He’s been wanting to do within us for the longest time.

No matter what remain in faith. However long or quick it takes, if you remain FAITHful He too will be faithful to you too.

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him. Psalm 37:23 NIV

Wait in faith. Part 4

Caleb waited.

45 years had passed but his spirit was still the same, he still had the same hunger, drive and determination to serve God. And mind you he didn’t serve God anyhow… he did so wholeheartedly.

His focus was not on the time it had taken for the promise to be fulfilled, he looked at the positives. He was still alive, therefore the promise would still be fulfilled.

I came into this year with goals, but all my goals were based off of 3 underlying ones, one of which being ‘to understand God better’ (I wanted to understand Him better the same way I would make the effort to understand a person). And today He is reminding me that as each day and week passes, I am (maybe just not in the way I expected to *sighs* lol). God is not a god of patterns, nor is He limited by our time. He doesn’t always “feel” the need to explain Himself, and when He doesn’t it doesn’t matter how much you ask, beg or complain…. He wont.

What God needs are real people, as in people who are truly for Him. Moments like this (as we see in Caleb’s example) are when He truly sees who’s in it for Him first or for themselves above all. What I’m trying to say, is right now whatever stage you are at in life is the moment where you need to trust, in fact you must (as its imperative if you want to get anywhere) that God is truly for you.

Ignore the voice of doubt, and act your faith the best way you can – in faith. You want to call Gods attention? Put Him in a position where He has to bless you?? Nothing better than to express this through your faith! There is no other way to send a 1st class message straight to heaven, than by using our faith.

You’ve just got to trust that this seemingly “long” way of doing things will turn out to have been the best way, that although you are ready to dive in and receive the clarity you need… waiting will have been the best decision you ever made!

God is not a giver, He’s a rewarder and I promise you if you wait in faith what you will receive will be greater than anything  you could of ever perceived.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26 NKJV

13 But I really believe that I will see the Lord’s goodness before I die. Psalm 27:13

“But who do you say that I am?”

It was a simple question that Jesus asked His disciples, yet those words carried so much weight. So much so that that question has been on my mind the last 3 days.

Today Jesus is asking me and you the same question – “Who do you say that I am?”

Its one thing to verbalise who I think or believe Jesus to be, and its another thing to show it. It doesn’t matter how deep my belief in Him is if when things aren’t going to plan, I’m so worried, afraid or doubtful that I allow my situation to get to me. In other words – Jesus doesn’t just want us to say who we believe Him to be, He wants us to show it. And this happens when we choose to trust Him rather than panic. When we choose dependence over independence, and fight the urge to act recklessly and take matters into our own hands.

We don’t really answer this question when everything is rosy and going according to our plans, we answer this question through our choices and reactions when everything is seemingly “falling apart” or things are “taking too long.”

This revelation isn’t to make us feel bad or even correct us. The solution is simple – in moments of difficulty, when life just isn’t doing what you’d like life to do (lol), or you feel there are delays left, right and centre allow Jesus to be who you say He is. Don’t try and do a “quick fix”, don’t speed the process or take the lead. In fact take a step back and allow Him to live up to all your expectations, let Him be who you say He is. And you’ll see things soon work out perfectly – maybe not as you imagined, but even better.

Through His eyes…

2017.

You came into this year with extremely high expectations, goals set and ready to be achieved and you were in search of My greatness being revealed in your life. So far nothings gone to plan, and at times you get stressed, frustrated and afraid this year will end in the way it is right at this moment. Inside you’re frustrated, and 10 different thoughts and feelings are running through you and causing havoc inside of you.

I get it. I know you don’t think I do and you struggle to believe that I do but… I get it. Like any normal human being you had plans, and those plans aren’t being fulfilled in the way you imagined … and that can be frustrating. But, what I don’t want you to do is lose sight of a much bigger picture.

I have chosen you, even though right at this moment in time you may not feel as if I have. But I have. What I have chosen you for, the plans I have for you … you need to understand are a lot bigger than your feelings, emotions and what you can physically see at this moment in time. I know right now you may even feel like what I’m asking of you is too much for you, but I will anyways…….

Ignore your emotions. Every feeling running through your body, every thought that wants to contradict My word and promises to you, and focus on Me! Take My Word and make it your foundation… when doubts, fears, insecurities and negative thoughts come to knock you down and cause frustration focus on Me.

I repeat… Focus on ME. Not the problem, the situation or even those around you. Take whatever strength and energy you have left and invest that into Me. I promise you’ll see exactly what I will do… why? Because I am with you!

I chose you, from the beginning I labelled you as Mine and even though right now things may seem tough and deciding to believe may feel pointless… Ignore your feelings and focus on what you know! Because I know, that we both know, that you know… I’ve got you.

Remember: I am already ahead of this situation. You are in the midst of the battle, and I am on the other side with your blessing waiting for you to persevere until you reach your victory. Don’t you dare forget that every time it seemed like things were getting harder in your life was just before a GREAT blessing! See you on the other side.

Through His eyes…

You are more precious to Me than you think.

I know things have been difficult lately, and I’ve been pushing-pushing you, demanding so much more from you but it’s only because I believe in you… I love you.

My relationship with you goes so much deeper than just what you can do for Me, because even in the moments where you mess up and get it wrong… have I ever left you?

Look in the mirror and look intensely at the person blinking back at you, that person is precious to Me… so precious that if allowing her to go through certain things will strengthen her faith (even if she is in pain at that current moment) I will allow it.

FOCUS. Focus and you’ll soon understand the vision… you’ll be deeper involved in the plan. Always, always remember this … there is no such things as an “injustice” even if man despises you, looks down on you, people forget about you don’t worry. You gave your life to Me not them… I will always take care of you! Everything you will ever go through will always be My opportunity to work in you, mould you and shape you.

So trust Me, even when it’s difficult and you don’t necessarily feel you know how to… just trust Me. I’ve got you, I always have, always will… I always did.

 

“I’m still here!”

We are human.

Why am I starting my first post in months like this? Sometimes things don’t go to plan or how we would have expected them to go. We face battles, difficulties, shed our fair share of tears and just when we are about to cross the finish line desire to maybe just give up!

This happens when we focus more on what we’ve been through – the shame we’ve felt, the pain we’ve felt – rather than the simple fact that we’re still here, we’re still standing!

Yes, the last year has not been easy for me but one thing God is reminding me and you today, is okay maybe you may feel afraid, you faced a lot and don’t know what the future holds… but please even if it’s just for a second look in the mirror and smile and say “I’m still here!” Despite all you’ve been through and faced everyday you still wake up, you still push…. you’re still trying! And know God sees that!

 

God is the kind of person that when it seems like He’s not working… that’s when He’s working the most! Keep doing your part – all you can do and watch Him surprise you!

 

On that note, here’s the link to the song that inspired me and this blog post:

Doing It Like a Queen – Feed Your Soul

 

She required those closest to her to be just like her – she wasn’t friends with just anyone!

For me friendship is a very important thing. Naturally I’m a reserved person, I don’t let people in easily. Not in a sense that I completely close myself off from others, but in a sense that there are sides of me that I only allow those who are close to me to see. Personally, I like this about myself as I don’t even do it on purpose, but it does mean that I can easily control my relationships.

Requiring those around you to be just like you isn’t necessarily personality wise, as when it comes to friendships more often than not our closest friends are people who are our polar opposites. Rather it’s having people around you who have the same vision to grow and move forwards. I have my circle of friends, but even within that circle their is another, one which consists of my closest friends. Which are those who have the same vision to be closer to God, to grow spiritually, make the difference, serve God, save souls and do His will, with passion!

We may not all be going in the same directions in the future, but what causes me to keep them close is what they have inside of them rather than what they have on the outside. For me this is important, as they are constantly able to add to me and vice versa.