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 …

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

Why I look up.

I know it’s been a while and I apologise, I can’t say I have nothing to share … I just have to reform good habits.

So recently (well in the last year) I’ve developed a habit, doesn’t matter where I am or who I’m with when I look up and I see a beautiful sky I stop everything and take a picture.

Today I was thinking and I understood why this new habit is quite amazing.

In a world where we’re always either looking down or straight ahead/on our level. Where everyone is focused and often stressed about momentaril things each and every time I look up I’m reminded that there’s more.

There’s so much more to life than problems, material things and even people. When I look up I’m reminded that past the sun, the clouds and the blue sky there is my God and everything that is eternal.

It reminds me to remain focused on eternity and therefore what matters most. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what’s going on around me or even in my head – all I have to do is look up, and I’m reminded that whatever is down below is way lower than my God. And where He is whatever is happening inside or around me is nothing…. and that because of this I should remain focused on the things above, the things that are eternal and trust He will get me through the struggles down here as no situation lasts forever.

So if you ever see me looking up, you know why lol

I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord , who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who guards Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you during the day, nor the moon during the night. The Lord shall protect you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from now and for evermore.

Psalms 121:1‭-‬8 MEV

“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.

“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:

Journey to Mount Sinai – part 2

Reading about Moses lately has left me wondering what qualifies a person to be chosen by God. Moses doubted a lot, more than you would expect one of the greatest leaders to ever walk this Earth to doubt (Read Exodus  4  ). But despite this I believe Moses’ problem wasn’t that he thought God couldn’t or that the task ahead was impossible for God, but rather God couldn’t through him.

But Moses did something that often we find hard to do – he exposed himself to God, or better yet unmasked himself. He didn’t hide his fears, doubts or lack of self belief and consequently without realising it he was making himself even more qualified to be used by God to set the children of Israel free. He stood on the mountain the place of sacrifice as he exposed himself, and sacrificed himself.

So now think with me, how many times do we not doubt God and what He can do, but rather what He can do through us? How many times do we allow ourselves to doubt before even giving God a chance to work through and even in us?

If you are fearful, if you are afraid, if things are getting harder and you want to give up… expose that to God. Tell Him, make Him aware of what is happening within you, because when we do this we also open a door for Him to remove these fears. We open a door for Him to exchange those doubts for certainty. And even more through our humbleness we become qualified to be used by Him.

Moses was not perfect, nor was he brave and courageous to begin with. Don’t get me wrong he was strong (as many of us are), but he was not yet strong enough…. yet even that he didn’t hide from God.

I am more like Moses than I ever thought I was, but just like Moses if I am fearful, afraid, lacking faith, unable to see past Egypt (obstacles) I must make my voice heard to God, and as I make my journey to the top of Mount Sinai bit by bit sacrifice these emotions – as did Moses.

 

THINK! THINK! THINK!

The problem with so many Christians is that they just don’t think. They feel too much. Today they don’t feel saved or like they have the Holy Spirit so that must mean they are not or He is not in them. Today they don’t feel like God is with them so that must mean He possibly can’t exist. Today they don’t feel like they can hear God’s voice so they forget everything He has said. Today they feel weak as if all the strength is being drained out of them by their situation, so they remain dormant in their spiritual life…. resulting in self pity.

How many times have we not felt like studying or revising or even going to work yet we still go?? Why because we know what the outcome is. Last year I had to sit 24 exams, and by the time I got to the 24th (which was Physics… and I do not like physics at all!) I had 0 motivation to study. But why did I study? Because I knew the outcome of the results I wanted on results day. And this is the same with our spiritual lives.

Though we may not feel like it, feel strong or as if God is with us we press forward ignoring every feeling and emotion. Why? Because we know the outcome of our actions. Infact we must push even harder than before. Let’s feed our spirit even more in these moments, and choose to grow closer to God…. because when you’re on fire you don’t even notice that you’re bleeding from the battle, you just keep going.

I’m encouraging you all to THINK. When we THINK our FAITH can override ALL our emotions.

My Year So Far – Gods Expectations and A Throwback To Last Year

One thing I’ve learnt this year is to live up to Gods expectations.

The truth is people will always have expectations of us, and we also expect things from ourselves but when we live up to Gods expectations we are able to live up to our full potential. If Gods thoughts are higher than our thoughts, then surely his expectations of us are higher and much greater than others and even our own.

Seeking Gods expectations changes the whole “game.” It causes us to reach a new level, as we begin to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, and become who God wants us to become and even develop the characteristics God wants us to. However, there is also always the pressure to be perfect that we place on ourselves, we’re afraid that we cant become this person or God is being too adventurous and expecting too much from you. But the truth is God sees in us the strength we really have.

Now for the throwback. I discovered last year that I had lost all self belief I once had. It was something that was very difficult to discover but God showed me that I’d been relying so much on the praise and approval of others that the moment I stopped living up to their expectations and doing things for people to see… I crumbled. I got so used to having someone “pat me on the back” every time I did something good. What does this have to do with expectations??

When we live up to other peoples expectations we can become people pleaser’s, and its hard for a people pleaser to please God as they constantly worry about pleasing others. Focus on what God wants from you, allow him to open your vision.

Living up to Gods expectations is never easy, sometimes you feel he expects too much or you’re not good enough but trust that God sees in us what we can never see in ourselves. This means you wont always receive a “pat on the back” or even a “well done” but know that these are the moments that show whether or not you really want to serve God. When you’re alone and its just you and God with no one to praise you.. will you still do things with the same love and drive??